Hydrolysed Collagen and Collagen Peptides: What's the Difference?
Collagen has gained immense popularity in recent years as a dietary supplement due to its potential benefits for joint health, skin elasticity, and overall well-being. Amidst the numerous collagen products flooding the market, two terms often cause confusion: hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides.
Are they the same thing? What sets them apart?
Understanding Collagen
Collagen is a vital protein found in the epithelial and connective tissues of animals, including humans. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to common signs of aging such as wrinkles, joint discomfort, and reduced skin elasticity.
Hydrolysed Collagen: The Process Explained
Hydrolysed collagen is collagen that has undergone a specific process called hydrolysis. During this process, large collagen molecules are broken down into smaller, more manageable peptides. The hydrolysis is achieved through the application of heat and enzymes, which cleave the long chains of amino acids in collagen into shorter peptide sequences. The resulting product is a mixture of collagen peptides. This is why the terms 'hydrolysed collagen’ and ‘collagen peptides’ are often used interchangeably.
Collagen Peptides: Unraveling the Mystery
Collagen peptides are the short-chain amino acid sequences resulting from the hydrolysis process. These peptides are smaller in size and have lower molecular weight compared to intact collagen proteins. Due to their reduced size, they are more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Hydrolysed collagen refers to the collagen that has undergone the hydrolysis process, while collagen peptides refer to the end product of this process – which creates the smaller, more bioavailable peptide sequences that are used in collagen supplements.
Benefits and Uses
- Enhanced bioavailability: Collagen peptides, being smaller in size, are more easily absorbed by the body, ensuring efficient delivery of the beneficial amino acids to target tissues.
- Quick absorption: Due to their smaller size, collagen peptides are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, making them an excellent post-workout supplement to support muscle recovery.
- Supports joint health: Hydrolysed collagen provides amino acids that are essential for maintaining healthy joints and may help alleviate joint discomfort.
- Promotes skin health: The collagen peptides obtained through hydrolysis contribute to maintaining skin elasticity and moisture, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and promoting a youthful complexion.
- Supports gut health: The amino acids in hydrolyzed collagen may help strengthen the gut lining, potentially improving digestion and nutrient absorption.
Choosing the Right Supplement
When choosing a collagen supplement, it's essential to consider your specific health goals and dietary preferences. It's also crucial to opt for high-quality, well-sourced products to ensure maximum efficacy and safety.
Nutraviva has a reputation for using only natural premium quality collagen powder sustainably sourced from the only cleanest environments. We are considered to be the market leaders in this field, specialising in providing only the best collagen powder in Australia.
Our grass fed & finished Collagen Hydrolysate powder contains smaller pre-digested peptides, allowing them to be absorbed by the body more rapidly than intact proteins maximising nutrient delivery to cells. It is free from preservatives, fillers and binders making it a healthier collagen powder option for those looking to incorporate a highly bioavailable collagen supplement into their daily diet.
Nutraviva’s Marine Collagen is a 100% pure natural fish collagen peptide sourced from high quality wild cod. Created from natural, raw materials that are harvested from the crystal-clear waters of the North Atlantic, this wild caught collagen supplement is sourced from Ocean MSC approved raw materials that are used to identify sustainable fisheries.
Find out more about our premium collagen powder products below:
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with your Doctor or healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs before making any changes to your health routine or starting any new dietary supplements.