Collagen. It’s the glue that holds us together, and boy do we love it. Found in nearly every part of the body, this protein has a lot to do with a lot of our bodily functions. We’re talking skin, hair, bones, ligaments… all the way down to the lining of your digestive organs!

In this article, let’s discuss exactly what collagen is, why we need it and why taking a collagen supplement can help support you.

First things first… let’s explain what collagen actually is…

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and the predominant component playing an essential role in supporting the structure of blood vessels, muscles, bones as well as the skin. There are 16 types of collagen, but nearly all the collagen in your body is type I, II or III. Types I and III are found in your skin, tendons, organs and bones. Type II collagen is found in your cartilage.

Collagen is made of amino acids (the building blocks of protein) and is a large complex protein. It has a fibre-like structure used to make connective tissue – it is the major part of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and cartilage. Collagen is a triple helix protein – meaning that it is 3 strands wound together to create one strong molecule.

As our bodies age, they make less collagen. Factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol, excessive sun exposure, lack of sleep and lack of exercise all contribute to a reduction in collagen as well.

So, what happens as our bodies get older?

From the age of around 20, our bodies start to produce less collagen and the quality also declines, losing approx 1% of collagen every year!  Collagen loss is the number one factor that contributes to noticeable signs of ageing. The intracellular matrix starts to lose its rigidity and structural support. One of the first signs is those fine lines and wrinkles, we may notice our skin becoming less elastic and the flexibility in our joints start to decline.

But hey! Never fear! There’s an easy way to combat this.

Upping your collagen supply really is as easy as taking a supplement. The hardest part is choosing the right one for you. That’s where we come in. By process of elimination, we have tried to make a little easier for you.

Should I be taking liquid of powder collagen?

Liquid, pill, or powder is a personal preference when it comes to supplementation, and some may prefer one over the other.  Research, however, suggests liquids can be more efficient than a pill due to requiring fewer steps to break down. This means our bodies can find it easier to process as it enters the bloodstream faster. Liquids can pass through the stomach within minutes whereas it can take almost 30 minutes before a pill is dissolved and begins to break down in the stomach. Liquid BioCell collagen also has a very small molecular weight meaning the particles are much smaller than other larger molecule collagens and can be easier to absorb. A small molecular weight liquid collagen supplement may be the way to go to maximize the effect of collagen, within a shorter time. We recommend!

What is the difference between all the types of Collagen 1, 2, 3?

TYPE I: Hydrolyzed — Derived from porcine skin, bovine hide, eggshell membrane or fish, this collagen type is commonly sold as bone broth or collagen powder.
TYPE II: Mostly derived from chickens.
TYPE III: Hydrolyzed — Often derived from bovine sources.

What about vegan collagen?
At this time vegan collagen is not available, these products usually contain no collagen but are made with collagen-boosting ingredients such as vitamin C.

Does Collagen even absorb?
So you may have heard that collagen molecules may be too large to absorb therefore taking a collagen supplement may be pointless. Well, this may be true of collagen in its natural state, but there is a simple way around it known as hydrolysis. A process that breaks down these large molecules to improve efficacy.

Type 1 and 2 collagen
Benefits of supplementing – hydrolyzed collagen peptides have been shown to support hydration and the quality of the skin.  

So what is in Modere’s LIQUID BIOCELL you might ask?

Liquid BioCell® is a unique type II collagen that goes beyond the typical hydrolyzed bovine or marine collagen found in most formulas. This award-winning, single-source matrix is a naturally occurring combination of highly absorbable collagen with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate, in concentrations that mirror human articular cartilage composition. It’s scientifically researched for its benefits to your joints and your skin, too.  

Backed by multi-patented Collagen/HA Matrix® Technology, this proprietary ingredient is naturally derived from chicken sternal cartilage and hydrolyzed using a patented Bio-Optimized™ manufacturing process to achieve an ideal micromolecule. The result is naturally enhanced bioavailability. Bioavailability measures how efficiently a substance enters a body’s circulatory system.

Liquid BioCell® is a highly bioavailable form of sternal cartilage, a matrix of collagen, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate.

What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, basically, it has the ability to retain moisture, with the ability to bind over 1000 times its weight in water. There are many areas of the body that contain hyaluronic acid including the skin and joints. These are a group of sugar molecules known as polysaccharides, they work by cushioning and lubricating. As we age the stores of hyaluronic acid start to decline. Environmental factors such as air pollution and smoking can also impact our stores.

What is Chondroitin sulfate?
Chondroitin sulfate is a naturally occurring compound part of hyaline cartilage – a tissue that helps to cushion our joints. It functions as a major component of the intricate extracellular matrix of cartilage – mainly consisting of collagen.

Want to know which Liquid BioCell product is the one for you or want more information on the studies on LIQUID BIOCELL?

Have a look here to find out more about each of our Liquid BioCells, or check out our website to read more about collagen.