Q: I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of supplementing with collagen. What are your thoughts?
A: Collagen is a structural protein found throughout the body including the skin, tendons, bone, cartilage, vasculature and organs. Collagen supplements can be derived from different sources: chicken, cow, or fish. Regardless of the source, the collagen is hydrolysed, i.e., broken down into their smallest components, amino acids, which are more easily absorbed than the full protein molecule. There are three different types of collagen, Types I, II, and III. Type II is the form that is most often used for supplementation. Although the mechanism of action is not known, supplementing with Type II collagen hydrolysate does appear to help with joint pain. It has also been shown to improve skin elasticity and skin moisture.
