Collagen FAQs
Q. Why choose Nutraviva?
A. At Nutraviva we believe in providing only the best quality premium grade products. We are dedicated to sourcing only from the best suppliers and manufacturers from the most ideal locations and insist that our products are the purest, with no chemicals or GMOs.
Our bovine Collagen Hydrolysate powder comes exclusively from grass fed and finished cattle that are raised in open pastures.
Nutraviva stocks only the best marine collagen powder, sourced from wild-caught cod found in the North Atlantic Ocean. Our marine collagen is MSC certified, sustainably sourced, naturally organic and GMO free.
Our Bone Broth powders are 100% natural and sourced from pasture raised cattle. It is produced using a slow temperature, 18 hour + cooking time and then dehydrated to lock in collagen and micronutrients.
Nutraviva's specialised formulas are developed to assist with specific health needs, including natural beauty nutrition and joint & bone support. We even have a dedicated pet collagen range to support pet nutrition.
Q. What is collagen?
A. Collagen is a protein that’s found in the connective tissues. Humans create their own collagen naturally, as do other animals, which is why collagen is by default a non-vegan ingredient. Collagen can be found in our skin, bones, gut lining, joints, nails and hair. In our mid 20s onward, the collagen which our body naturally produces, slowly starts to diminish. As we ccontinue to age, we lose about 1-2% of our bodies collagen each year. Factors such as prolonged sun exposure and UVA rays, in particular can damage the collagen fibres that support our skin as they penetrate deep into the dermis where the collagen and elastin live. Pollution and cigarette smoke also contributes to the breakdown of collagen, leading to premature aging and wrinkles, resulting in our skins structural integrity being compromised.
Collagen powder is gelatin that has been further broken down to remove the bonds between the proteins using a hydrolysis process. The smaller molecular weight of these peptides makes it very easy for our body to absorb quickly (over 90% absorption rate). Collagen powder dissolves in both hot and cold liquids and does not gel at all. It can be considered as a superfood supplement due to its effectiveness, versatility and multitude of uses.
Add it to hot or cold drinks, shakes, recipes, meals, health bars, yoghurts and so on. Hydrolysed collagen powder is one of the best ways to boost your protein intake whilst also benefiting your gut health, connective tissues, skin condition, joints & bones.
Collagen can be considered a nutritional food supplement, and not only is it easier to incorporate into your diet, it has a greater bioavailability compared to gelatin making it the preferred choice for anti-aging, joint pain, sports supplementation, skin health and injury recovery.
Q. Why are collagen supplements so effective?
A. Collagen Can Help To Relieve Joint Pain
Joint pain isn’t fun for anyone, but with worn or damaged cartilage a common problem, it can be unavoidable. With the ongoing reduction in collagen levels as we age, the risk of degenerative joint disorders increases. However, collagen supplements can help to improve symptoms of issues such as osteoarthritis, leading to reduced joint pain and improved cartilage stimulation.
Collagen May Increase Muscle Mass
Collagen’s not only busy helping our skin and cartilage - it’s also a key component of skeletal muscle. For those who are experiencing sarcopenia (the loss of muscle mass resulting from ageing), studies have found that collagen supplements can help to increase muscle mass levels. Supplemental collagen may also play a role in promoting the synthesis of muscle proteins that help to stimulate muscle growth and repair after exercise
Collagen Can Be Beneficial For Heart Health
There is growing evidence that supports the viability of collagen supplements in helping to reduce the risk of heart conditions. Since collagen provides necessary structure to your arteries, it helps to protect their elasticity. Without enough collagen, they may have reduced flexibility, which can lead to a narrowing of the arteries. This is a significant risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Collagen has been found to reduce artery stiffness and increase HDL cholesterol levels, which is an important factor in the risk of heart conditions.
Collagen Supports Digestive & Gut Health
Similar to how collagen strengthens and tightens your skin, it has the same effect for the digestive system as it is a major constituent of the connective tissue lining of the gut and intestines. The digestive tract is made up of the same amino acids that are abundant in collagen thus these crucial amino acids can help stimulate cell growth, assisting digestive processes by supporting and repairing intestinal walls.
Collagen contributes to skin hydration, elasticity and repair
To support the protective function and continual renewing of the epidermal layer requires a constant flow of energy and nutrients to our skin. This can be done through a healthy nutritious diet, quality supplementation, maintaining hydration and protecting our skin from environmental factors such as sun damage and pollution. As skin ages it begins to show a decrease in epidermal thickness. The layer decreases in thickness by about 1% per year throughout adult life, after you reach the age of about 50 skin collagen decreases further by about 2% per year. Collagen supplementation naturally encourages collagen synthesis as it is highly bioavailable for the body's protein metabolic process.
Q. Why choose a grass fed and grass finished bovine collagen?
A. At Nutraviva we believe in healthy eating, thus have no GMOs, pesticides or other chemicals in our bovine sourced collagen products. We only source the best ingredients from the best locations, like our grass fed and finished bovine sourced collagen.
The cattle used for our products are strictly pasture raised rather than being fed grain and have not been given growth hormones or other chemicals. When it comes to our food and food supplements it is important to consider not only what we eat, but what our food eats. The digestive system of ruminants (cattle) is designed to eat grass, not grain, and cattle need to be able to roam naturally on pastures rather than held in feedlots. Grain fed beef requires the continually feeding of antibiotics to reduce the instance of bloat from grain. They also have increased risk of disease and infections from being restricted in movement and confined in proximity and can be fed growth hormones to maximise their growth for market.
Cattle that are grass fed and finished (pasture raised) are healthier and have an improved nutrient composition than grain fed cattle as diverse pasture grasses are a more natural diet for cattle than corn or soy (primary ingredients in grain fed in feedlots). Part of the reason for this is the availability of a variety of beneficial secondary compounds that are found in diverse pastures which cattle then graze upon. Diversity of pasture means that the animals can maintain their health and reduces the instance of interventions for disease or illness. A healthier food source results in healthier cattle which then produces a higher quality collagen hydrolysate product.
A good strategy is to seek out a product that has been third-party verified to contain what the label says it contains and to be free of contaminants. At Nutraviva we independently test our collagen powder, beef gelatin and bone both products for quality assurance and transparency. This information can be found on our product technical data pages on our product pages. We are a HACCP food safety accredited company meaning we are assessed every year to ensure our product processes and claims are independently verified.
Q. What is the difference between collagen and gelatin?
A. Gelatin is extracted from connective tissue and bones using special processing equipment. It’s amino acid profile is the same as collagen hydrolysate, however, the amino acids are still bound together and are much longer in length, with the properties being slightly different.
Gelatin will only dissolve in hot liquids and once this liquid cools, the gelatin will form a gel and set firm. It is ideal for gut health and repair, appetite regulation and weight loss due to its slower absorption and longer amino acid chains. It also provides the same health benefits as collagen hydrolysate, however a lower proportion of the amino acids make it to the cellular level.
Q. What’s the difference between bovine collagen and marine collagen?
A. The main difference between Nutraviva Collagen Hydrolysate and Nutraviva Marine Collagen is the sourcing. Our grass fed bovine collagen is sourced from pasture-raised cattle in Brazil. Our marine collagen is sourced from wild-caught, organic, non-GMO verified cod skin from the North Atlantic Ocean. Nutraviva Marine Collagen is pescatarian friendly. Nutritionally, the two products aren’t dissimilar except the fact that they are derived from different sources. Marine collagen is very much tasteless and odourless and is highly regarded in the beauty industry as the premium collagen source due its slightly smaller peptide size.
Q. What makes Nutraviva Bone Broths so special?
A. Bones contain an abundance of minerals as well as 17 different amino acids, many of which are found in broth as proteins like collagen and gelatin. Though the exact nutritional content varies based on the bones used, cooking time, and cooking method, the following nutrients are consistently found in most bone broths. Bone broth is made from the bone and connective tissue of animals and is simmered for 24 hours or more. This longer simmering period means most of the gelatin, nutrients, amino acids, and minerals filter out of the bones and into the bone broth.
With 28 different types, collagen makes up about 30 percent of the protein in your body and is the main component of connective tissues like cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone, and skin. It is also present in the blood vessels, cornea, and lens of the eye. The name collagen comes from the Greek “kólla,” meaning “glue” and the suffix “gen,” which means “producing.” In fact, early glue was made from collagen more than 8,000 years ago, likely by boiling the skin and sinews of animals. In addition to providing structure, collagen also plays an important role in tissue development and regulation.
Glycosaminoglycans are complex carbohydrates that are involved in many biological processes. They can attach to proteins in order to form proteoglycans, which are integral parts of connective tissue and synovial fluid, the lubricant that surrounds joints. If the connective tissue, such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, is still attached, the bones in broth will provide our bodies with the whole spectrum of glycosaminoglycans including keratan sulfates, dermatan sulfates, chondroitin sulfates, and hyaluronic acid, which are the raw materials for skin, bone, and cartilage formation.
Glycine is an amino acid that makes up more than a third of collagen. It also acts as a neurotransmitter, binding to glycine receptors present throughout the nervous system and peripheral tissues. Signaling through this receptor is particularly important in mediating inhibitory neurotransmission in the brainstem and spinal cord.
Proline is an amino acid that makes up about 17% of collagen. The addition of hydroxyl groups to proline significantly increases the stability of collagen and is essential to its structure. Proline is not typically thought of as a neurotransmitter, but it is able to bind to glutamate receptors and glycine receptors.
Glutamine is yet another important amino acid found in bone broth and is the most abundant amino acid in the blood. It is one of the few amino acids that can directly cross the blood-brain barrier. Intestinal epithelial cells and activated immune cells eagerly consume glutamine for cellular energy.
Bone marrow is found inside the center cavity of the bone and consists of two types, red and yellow. Both types contain collagen. Red bone marrow is the site of manufacturing for new immune cells and red blood cells, while yellow marrow consists of healthy fats. It is thought that important nutritional and immune support factors might be extracted from marrow during cooking, but the bioavailability of these factors has not been studied.
Beneficial minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc are also present in bone broth.
Nutraviva’s bone broth protein powders are made with all-natural ingredients and absolutely no added preservatives, so you can be sure you are getting the quality you deserve when you buy our products. Unlike concentrates or liquid bone broths, Nutraviva bone broth also has a lower salt content and a longer shelf life making it more versatile and cost-effective.
Q. Why choose an MSC certified Marine Collagen?
A. There are many fish collagens emerging in the market, but not all are sourced in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner. Overfishing is an ever-present threat to the health of our oceans and exacerbates the impact of climate change by the negative alteration of marine ecosystems. Farmed freshwater or marine fish are confined and intensively farmed, often requiring antibiotics for maintaining fish viability and production targets; plus contribute to river waterway and ocean pollution.
Nutraviva Marine Collagen is a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified marine collagen powder. This certification means that the North Atlantic Cod that is used for processing our marine collagen powder is wild caught and that sustainable fishery practices are applied. This includes ensuring that destructive fishing practices are not used, operators can only use approved gear types, target particular monitored fish stocks only, bycatch is minimised, and that marine biodiversity is maintained. This certification provides consumers with the assurance that their chosen product is sustainably sourced, and that fish stock security and ocean health is not negatively impacted.
Q. What is the difference between Types 1, 2, & 3 collagen?
A. Although there are at least 16 different varieties of collagen in the human body, the three most abundant are Types 1, 2 and 3. These three account for between 80-90% of the total Collagen within the body (Type 1 accounts for 90% of this total). It is important to note that even though the processing may vary, they all still offer similar health benefits due to the amino acid profile.
Type 1: The most common, and strongest collagen in the body. This is responsible for the formation of ligaments, tendons, skin, organs, and bones. It is extremely important in the healing of wounds. Type 1 collagen is what provides skin its stretchy, elastic properties. It is also found within the gastrointestinal tract. Type 1 is found in our Collagen Hydrolysate, Marine Collagen and Beef Gelatin powders)
Type 2: Is primarily found in connective tissue, cartilage, bone and bone marrow. In relation to bone broth, it is not just a great source of Type 2 collagen but has minerals, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and vitamins that make it so beneficial. It is anti-inflammatory and a strong immunity booster, hence the tradition of consuming broth when unwell. (Type 2 is predominately found in our Bone Broth)
Type 3: Typically found alongside Type 1 collagen, Type 3 is a major building block of the extracellular matrix that forms our skin and organs. It is important for building the tissue and blood vessels within the heart, Type 3 collagen deficiency has been linked to a risk of ruptured blood vessels. Type 3 is found in our Collagen Hydrolysate and Gelatin products.
Does a specific type of collagen really make a difference for specific health needs? Ultimately, collagen is absorbed by the body as a highly bioavailable protein source and the different types do not necessarily support one specific health concern over the other as it is metabolised similarly regardless of type. This can be a source of confusion for some customers who may be recommended a particular type of collagen for a specific pain point, as well as there being blogs, media, marketing which may promote one source over the other.
Q. How often should collagen be taken?
A. It’s suggested that a daily serving of bovine collagen powder is between 10-20g and 5-10g for marine collagen, with the collagen content constituting at least 90% of the powder weight (as the rest of the weight is likely to be moisture found within the powder). 10g is approximately 1 tablespoon and 5g is one heaped teaspoon, making it easy to monitor your collagen intake as you prep your supplement.
People who are highly active or who engage in activities more likely to result in injuries may be recommended by their doctor to increase their daily collagen intakes, but it’s advised that a higher serving is checked with a health professional.
As tablets and capsules are less effective in providing you with a sufficient dose of collagen, and are also more expensive per unit, collagen powder is a simple, price-effective alternative to increasing your daily intake.
There is little evidence to suggest any adverse side effects from consuming collagen or gelatin food supplements. Issues may arise if you have a diagnosed sulphate or histamine sensitivity. If any underlying health conditions exist or if pregnant please consult with your doctor as a normal precautionary measure.
For more information about collagen food supplements see below:
Collagen and Histamine Sensitivity
Q. What is the most effective collagen to take?
A. With collagen providing so many necessary functions in our bodies, it’s no surprise that all kinds of collagen supplement products are now available on the market. Not all collagen supplements are designed with the same focus on quality and results.
Collagen supplements often take the shape of tablets/pills, shot-style drinks and powders. While pills are advertised based on their ease of use, they contain binders and additives that may actually delay or block absorption. Liquid shots' main ingredient is water, requiring preservatives in order to keep the supplement in a consumable shape. Nutraviva’s collagen powder, however, offers a long-life shelf stable product without any fillers or binders, aiding easy absorption and making it the best source of collagen for maximised outcomes.
Q. How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?
A. Any successful shift in a supplement routine requires patience and commitment. Some results will be obvious more quickly than others, so by committing to taking supplements on a regular basis, you can make sure you’re setting yourself up to access their benefits on an ongoing basis.
These benefits will become apparent at different intervals when a regular collagen supplement routine is followed. Skin support benefits will be the first to make themselves known, with the first evidence of healthier skin showing in as little as four weeks. Changes to muscles are most likely to become evident after three months, with joint health and support taking between four and six months, and healthier hair and nails taking approximately 24 weeks.
Q. Can collagen assist with muscle gain?
A. Collagen helps promote the production of natural creatine in the body, which is needed for new muscle growth. The specific amino acids in collagen help preserve and build lean muscle, which in turn helps to regulate and strengthen metabolism. We recommend taking a BCAA with your collagen if you wish to promote muscle mass.
Q. Is collagen halal?
A. While collagen supplements can be of benefit to people of all ages and backgrounds, finding one that fits into dietary requirements can be challenging, particularly for those who only consume halal products. That’s why Nutraviva has developed halal collagen options that provide all the benefits of traditional collagen supplements, while also delivering peace of mind in the true halal nature of these high-quality products.
The following products in our range are halal:
Halal Certified Collagen Hydrolysate 450g
Halal Certified Collagen Hydrolysate 800g
Simply Beautiful Beauty Collagen - Marine Formula 225g
Q. Is it safe to take collagen during pregnancy & breastfeeding?
NOTE: This information is not intended to provide or replace medical recommendations or advice. Always discuss with your doctor or obstetrician yours and your baby's needs when considering adding food supplements into your diet.
A. Collagen has beneficial qualities that may support moms-to-be as a nutrient dense protein source, support for movement of joints and for retaining pre-pregnancy skin tone. Bone broth in particular may provide gentle digestive support as it is naturally amino acid rich and contributes to digestive health.
There are no known contraindications for taking collagen during pregnancy and it is generally considered a safe food supplement. That being said, it always recommended to speak with your doctor or obstetrician before using any food supplements to make sure products are suitable for both yours and your baby’s health needs during pregnancy and post-pregnancy. It should also be understood that individual results for collagen supplementation may vary and that everyone’s needs will be different.
Following pregnancy, the condition of skin hair and nails may become impacted with hair loss, brittle nails and skin breakouts and pigmentation being common complaints of new mothers. Collagen supplementation contributes to maintaining health skin hydration and collagen density within the dermis and epidermis and as a natural food supplement it may provide an ingestible means to support the skin, gut health and reduce inflammation within the body. During pregnancy and lactation, a woman’s proteins requirements are higher with additional protein intake recommended. Collagen supplements may provide a readily available and convenient protein source for a mother’s increased nutritional needs.
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Q. How much collagen should I take?
A. The amount of quality protein we need to ingest to support collagen formation in the body varies depending on age, gender, activity level, and other factors. When protein is digested by the body it is broken down into amino acids that are used by the body to produce energy and synthesise new proteins for body growth and repair. Within the body proteins are in a continual process of being degraded (natural aging processes, illness, disease) and resynthesised, which is why a high quality protein is such an important food source to include in a nutritious healthy diet.
Taking between 10 to 20g of bovine collagen or 5 to 10g of marine collagen a day is ideal, so check the serving size and the amount of collagen contained in the serving. If you’re taking a 10g serve, then the collagen content within the collagen powder should constitute at least 90% of this weight. The rest of the weight is the natural residual moisture found within the powder itself. These details should be fully transparent on the nutritional panel of your collagen supplement.
You can take collagen supplements up to twice per day, however it is generally not recommended to take more than this as this may be wasteful as the body can only metabolise the protein requirements is needs and will discard excess protein as waste. There may be health circumstances where you may require increased protein needs in excess of these amounts but this would be as part of a dietary recommendation by your doctor or a nutrition specialist (nutritionist, naturopath, clinical dietician).
Q. What about collagen capsules and liquid shots?
A. Tablets and capsules can often contain binders and fillers and will struggle to provide you with a sufficient dose of collagen; it will also be inherently more expensive per dosage. The main ingredient in liquid shot style collagen drinks is also water and preservatives, so it is always best to consider the value for your money when purchasing collagen supplements.
Collagen peptide formulations that are hydrolysed lead to a higher bioavailability, making them quicker and easier for the body to absorb and digest.
Q. Why are amino acids so important when choosing collagen?
A. The key component to look for in any great collagen supplement is the amino acid profile. This should be clearly evident on the product packaging. Regardless of collagen type, it is the amino acid profile that is of the most important benefit when choosing to purchase and when using collagen supplements.
Amino acids are compounds that are critical to bodily processes such as building proteins, hormones, and neurotransmitters. They’re naturally found in protein-rich food, with many opting to take them as a supplement in order to improve their mood, boost their performance, assist connective tissue and muscle recovery, and to strengthen their body.
Amino acids are the building blocks for protein synthesis in the body. There are over 700 known amino acids, in the human body there are 20 amino acids that are considered vital for health and wellness. Nine of these amino acids are ‘essential’ to the human body and cannot be made by the human body thus must come from food. Five others are ‘conditionally essential’, meaning they under ideal healthy circumstances the body can make these amino acids however lifestyle, metabolism errors and food nutrition can all impact on availability.
The most crucial types of amino acids found in collagen are proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. The number of, and the typical ratio of, these amino acids doesn’t vary significantly enough to warrant a claim that one form of pure, unblended collagen hydrolysate will be more beneficial to skin, bones, or joints than any other form. This is also true of the type of enzyme used to break down the large protein chains found in collagen into the smaller peptides - once it’s been consumed by an individual, collagen hydrolysate is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream as 18 different pure amino acids.
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