Collagen is everywhere. It’s the hottest skincare and healthcare buzzword at the minute. You’ve probably heard everybody talking about collagen for your skin, collagen for healthy ageing, collagen for stronger bones - collagen for everything. With all of this talk, it’s easy to get confused. That’s why this guide is here to cut through the noise and give you all of the essential information that you need to choose the right collagen for you.

So, what is collagen?

Collagen plays an important role in the human body. It is no wonder that supplementation with the "protein of youth" is of interest to so many people.

While there are over 28 identified types of collagen ^[1], three main types make up around 80-90% of the body's collagen ^[2]:

• Type I: Type I makes up more than 90% of collagen in the human body - it can be found in the vascular system, skin, bones, teeth, tendons, lungs, heart and other tissues ^[3]. Type I collagen has a high biocompatibility in human tissue naturally 'mimicking' the extracellular matrix ^[4].
• Type II: This type is crucial for healthy joints. It's found in elastic cartilage, which cushions and protects the bones in our joints, helping them move smoothly and absorb impact.
• Type III: The second most prevalent type, working alongside Type I, is Type III. Type III collagen is an important component of muscle and blood vessels. It has been suggested that - along with type I collagen - it is also found in skin, tendons, ligaments or synovial membranes ^[5]. 

What are the benefits of taking collagen supplements?

As our bodies age, the "protein of youth" naturally slows down production ^[6]. This decline in collagen synthesis is what many attribute to the development of wrinkles and the general signs of ageing.

Here are just a few ways that collagen can support our bodies:

• It can help prevent premature ageing of the skin.

Collagen supplementation can help to replenish the body's collagen stores and potentially slow down these age-related skin changes. Studies show collagen supplementation can improve skin elasticity, hydration and reduce skin wrinkling and roughness ^[7].

• It could help maintain joint health as we age.

The benefits extend beyond just youthful skin, though. Collagen also plays a key role in musculoskeletal health, supporting strong bones, muscles, and joints. On top of that, some studies suggest it can even help with post-workout recovery ^[8].

So, whether you're looking to improve your skin’s glow, support your joints and bones or help improve your post-workout recovery - collagen supplementation could be the right journey for you.

Our Osavi collagens are tailored towards your goal

Choose the collagen for you:

Are you taking the right types of collagen for your needs?

• Collagen Joints and Bones

Food supplement in powder form containing the clinically tested, bioactive collagen peptides FORTIBONE®. Enriched with rosehip extract standardised for vitamin C, for joint and bone support.

• Collagen Tendons and Ligaments

Food supplement in powder form containing the clinically tested, bioactive collagen peptides TENDOFORTE®. Enriched with copper and manganese for connective tissue support.

• Collagen Hair, Skin and Nails

A food supplement in powder form containing highly purified bioactive collagen peptides VERISOL® - a specially formulated and clinically tested collagen that improves the appearance of hair, skin and nails.

• Collagen Beauty & Sport

Food supplement in powder form containing clinically tested, bioactive collagen peptides VERISOL® - to improve the appearance of hair, skin and nails - and TENDOFORTE® for active lifestyle support.

• Marine Collagen

Food supplement in powder form, containing the bioactive collagen peptides Naticol® - a carefully formulated and clinically tested type I collagen derived from wild Atlantic cod. The product is enriched with natural additives - lemon flavouring and a sweetener derived from stevia.

• Hydrolysed collagen type I & III

A food supplement in powder form containing highly purified collagen peptides derived from collagen types I and III. The product contains high concentrations of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline - the main collagen-building amino acids. It is intended for those wishing to take comprehensive care to support the body with collagen. Hydrolysed collagen refers to collagen that has been broken down into smaller molecules to make it more easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

• Collagen Type II with Hyaluronic Acid

A food supplement in the form of a hard capsule containing UC-II® - a undenatured, native type II collagen, with the addition of hyaluronic acid and rose hip extract standardised for vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones and cartilage.

Which source is for you?

Let’s talk about where your collagen actually comes from.

• Bovine

Bovine collagen comes from cattle and is one of the most common sources of collagen supplements. It is high in Type I and Type III ^[9]; critical components of skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, bones, ligaments, eyes, teeth and blood vessels.

• Marine

Sourced from wild fish like cod or salmon, marine collagen is all the rage for a good reason. Marine collagen is extracted mainly from the skin of fish and can be broken down into shorter chains of amino acids, which helps your body digest the nutrients more easily ^[10].

• Vegan

Whilst there isn’t a ‘true’ vegan collagen, seeing as collagen itself comes from animals, there are more and more plant-based alternatives gaining traction. These clever supplements often contain ingredients like vitamin C, glycine, and proline, which may help your body ramp up its own natural collagen production ^[12]. It's not the same as directly adding collagen, but it could still be a helpful approach for those who want to support their body's collagen-making machinery.

What’s your flavour?

Your next choice to make is flavoured collagen or unflavoured collagen.

• Flavoured collagen: Convenience

Flavoured collagen is becoming more and more popular, simply due to convenience. Drinking water all day long can be a chore for a lot of people, making flavoured collagen a lifesaver by turning your daily dose into a delicious drink. They’re extremely convenient for people who are regularly on the go

Drinking water throughout the day can be hard for some, but a flavoured drink that tastes delicious can help people meet their water and collagen needs. However, flavours can limit the drinks, foods and ways that you can incorporate collagen into your daily routine.

• Unflavored collagen: Versatility

Unflavored collagen simply has more versatility and can become a pantry staple for home cooks and health fanatics without sacrificing flavour. Additionally, it is generally the cleaner, simpler route to go and makes it easier for people who are just beginning to use collagen to add to their favourite dishes throughout the day.

If you're constantly on the go and need a protein powder that you can squeeze in just before hitting the gym, then flavoured might be the best choice for you. If you’re a purist or plan on using collagen in more than just your almond milk latte, then we recommend unflavored collagen powder. Whether your collagen is a flavour explosion or a plain Jane, make sure it is non-GMO, properly tested and free of preservatives.

How to incorporate collagen into your day

The beauty of collagen is that it can be incorporated into everyday life, in many different ways. Here are a few examples:

• Add to your morning smoothie.
• Sprinkle into your morning porridge.
• Shake some flavour to your water.
• Drizzle onto a salad as part of your dressing.
• Mix into your Sunday bakes.
• Stir into your coffee.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003457/ 
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8114887/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709/ 
[4] https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13162642 
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3676160/ 
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1606623/ 
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824545/ 
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10687431/ 
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8620403/ 
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8780088/ 
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230273/ 
[12] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464623005558#