Marine Collagen Peptide
What is Collagen?
Collagen is often referred to as ‘The building blocks of the body’, for it plays a crucial part in our body’s structure. It is the main component of our skin, hair and nails as well as our bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles and organs. It’s even in our eyes and teeth!
Why is it important?
When we age, we lose our ability to produce collagen as efficiently as we could before the age of 25. The rate at which this ability reduces is about 1.5% every year from our mid-twenties onwards. This leads to visible signs of ageing and loss of radiance in our skin. Our hair and nails become less strong, whilst our joints become stiffer, and we heal less quickly from injuries.
In addition, women have a lower collagen density than men; because of this it is more common for women to show premature ageing signs faster than men even though they are the same age.
Fortunately, collagen supplements can help to replenish these vital collagen stores.
The science of collagen
Collagen can only be derived from animal sources. Supplemental collagen is mainly derived from cows or fish, with some from chickens or eggs. A vegetable-based collagen does not, and cannot, exist.
Ingenious Beauty uses the most superior grade of Marine Collagen Peptide (sourced responsibly from sustainably caught fish). This means that Ingenious Beauty is not suitable for strict vegetarians or vegans, although it is fine for pescatarians or flexitarians.
In the human body, as in the rest of nature, collagen exists as a long chain triple helix which cannot be absorbed without being broken down. This breakdown process is normally undertaken by the action of the stomach which breaks collagen into its constituent amino acids which can in turn be absorbed in the small intestine. Unfortunately, this action also destroys the nature of the collagen.
Most collagen supplements seek to overcome this issue by using collagen peptides, also known as hydrolysed collagen. The hydrolysation process breaks the collagen molecule into small chains of amino acids (bi or tri-peptides) which in theory can be absorbed directly into the blood stream. However, the digestive action of the stomach will also degrade these collagen peptides before they arrive in the small intestine (where 90% of collagen absorption occurs).
Despite what many claim, all unprotected collagen peptide based supplements – liquid, powder, capsules, or tablets – will be degraded before they reach the small intestine.
The Ingenious Secret
To overcome the action of the stomach on the collagen peptide, Ingenious Beauty uses a unique, patented delivery system – a special capsule – to protect the collagen and keep it safe on its journey through the stomach.
The capsule is a patented plant cellulose that will not break down in the stomach. Instead it is able to pass through the stomach intact and travel to the small intestine; here the change in pH levels triggers the capsule to dissolve. To ensure that the marine collagen peptide is quickly absorbed once it is released into the small intestine, we use a peptide of the lowest possible molecular weight (below 2,000 Dalton). This is less than half the size of the industry average which is 5,000 Daltons.
The collagen and the rest of the active ingredients are then absorbed through the small intestine directly into the bloodstream.
As a result, we do not need to over-fill our capsules with collagen peptide, leaving space for other key ingredients. We use just the right amount of collagen to ensure you see stunning results, knowing every bit of it will be absorbed and utilised for firmer, smoother skin and overall vitality.
Both our patented capsule and the quality of our collagen gives Ingenious Beauty unparalleled levels of absorption which no other collagen supplement can match.
Clinical Studies
Clinical studies show that taking a marine collagen peptide can:
- Improve collagen density and structure
- Enhance skin hydration
- Improve skin elasticity and smoothness
- Reduce wrinkles
- Maintain healthy joints
- Enhance muscle regeneration
- Promote bone health
- Relieve joint pain
