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Collagen - Benefits, Types, Market Analysis

Last updated: December-30,2021

Collagen - Benefits, Types and Market Analysis

In recent years, collagen has become an integral ingredient of skincare nutritional supplements and products. In 2020, U.S. consumers were estimated to spend $293 million on collagen products.[i] This blog explains everything you need to know about collagen including, its health benefits, functions, market analysis, and much more.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant and vital protein found in the human body. It makes up one-fourth of the body's dry mass and 75% of the dry mass of our connective tissue.[ii] [iii] [iv]

Collagen is present in fibrous tissues, including skin, ligaments, and tendons. It’s abundantly present in blood vessels, bones, cornea, digestive tract, and cartilage. Collagen is the primary component of the endomysium (a thin layer of connective tissue) in muscle tissue.

What Does Collagen Do in Our Body?

Collagen provides strength to several body parts. It holds cells and tissues together in blood vessels, digestive tract, as well as all glands and organs. It protects the skin by helping prevent the absorption and spread of micro-organisms, environmental toxins, pathogenic substances, and cancerous cells.[v] Collagen is also a fundamental component of nails and hair and contributes to their maintenance.

What Is the Function of Collagen?

Collagen is an insoluble, and fibrous protein. Collagen’s primary function is to support structures and anchor cells to each other.[vi]

The function of collagen in the skin is to offer essential strength and elasticity. In the dermis (middle layer of the skin), collagen enables new cell formation and replaces dead skin cells.

Collagen protein function includes helping provide protective coverings for delicate body organs, such as the kidneys.

What Are the Different Types of Collagen?

Our body contains at least 16 types of collagens, with the following five being the primary ones:[vii]

  • Collagen Type 1 – Contributing to around 90% of the total body collagen, these densely packed fibers are primarily responsible for providing structure to skin, tendons, bones, connective tissues, teeth, and fibrous cartilage.
  • Collagen Type 2 – Mostly found in joint cushions and elastic cartilage, type II collagens are made of loosely packed fibers.
  • Collagen Type 3 – The primary function of type 3 collagen is to support the structure of arteries, organs, and muscles.
  • Collagen Type 4 – Type 4 collagen present in the skin layers helps with filtration.
  • Collagen Type 5 – Type 5 collagen is critical for fibrillation of type 1 and 3 collagens.[viii]

Health Benefits of Collagen

Collagen is vital for many human body functions, and oral collagen supplements offer a wide range of health benefits.

Collagen Benefits for Skin

Several studies show that supplements containing collagen benefit skin by promoting elasticity, hydration and reducing dryness and wrinkles. Daily consumption of collagen supplements helps reduce visible signs of aging too.[ix] [x]

Collagen Benefits for Joints

Collagen supplementation can help promote joint comfort and flexibility. A study also revealed that collagen supplementation helped improve knee joint discomfort in athletes.

Collagen Benefits for Nails

Collagen intake helps strengthen nails. According to a study, oral supplementation of collagen promoted the growth of nails and reduced their brittleness.

Increased Muscle Mass

Collagen studies show that a combination of collagen supplementation and resistance training can help increase muscle strength in older adults suffering from muscle mass loss.[xi]

Collagen Benefits for Bones

Bones contain collagen as well as other proteins and minerals. Aging impacts collagen levels and bone mass in the human body. Collagen supplement studies show that supplementation helps promote healthy bone density.

A study also revealed that calcium and collagen supplement combination helped postmenopausal women maintain bone health. Another study shows that collagen supplements can help enhance bone mineral density and bone markers in women experiencing menopause.

Collagen Benefits for Heart

According to a study, collagen can significantly promote artery flexibility in healthy adults and support healthy HDL levels already within a healthy range.

Nutrients for Collagen Production

The human body combines proline and glycine using vitamin C to make procollagen which is further modified into collagen. Following are some of the nutrients that stimulate collagen production.[xii] [xiii]

  • Glycine – Found in chicken skin, pork skin, gelatin, protein-containing foods.
  • Proline – Found in dairy products, egg whites, wheat germ, mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage.
  • Vitamin C – Found in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers.
  • Copper – Found in organ meats, lentils, cashews, cocoa powder, sesame seeds.
  • Silicon – Found in oranges, beets, cherries, apples, figs, eggplants, almonds, grapes, tomatoes, strawberries.
  • Lysine – Found in beans, tofu, cooked spinach, beets, peas, quinoa, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and squash seeds.
  • Zinc – Found in shellfish, meat, bread, cereals, dairy.
  • Manganese – Found in nuts, tea, bread, cereals, green vegetables.

Collagen Market Analysis

The global collagen supplement market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.12% between 2020 and 2025.[xiv] [xv]

The rise in preventive healthcare and the growing desire to prevent premature signs of aging among consumers primarily drive collagen market growth.

The market is segmented into collagen powder market, capsule and gummies, drinks, and shots, as well as other formats. Marine sourced collagen peptide derived from unused fish parts is becoming prevalent among manufacturers and is encouraging environmental sustainability. The Asia Pacific seems to be the most rapidly growing collagen supplement market.

Create Your Own Collagen Supplements

NutraScience Labs is one of the leading contract supplement manufacturers in the US and can help you create your own collagen supplement. With over 120+ years of supplement manufacturing experience, we can guide you through every step of the way from formulation, flavoring, packaging, labeling, and order fulfillment.

The facilities we manufacture supplements in are cGMP-certified and are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment designed to maximize production and reduce lead times. For more information, call 855-492-7388 to speak to one of our knowledgeable representatives or send us your request to receive a free nutraceutical manufacturing quote today!


References:

[i] https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20191212/collagen-supplements-what-the-research-shows

[ii] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen

[iii] https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Collagen.aspx

[iv] https://theredtree.co.uk/articles/the-amazing-history-of-collagen/

[v] https://www.riteflexhealth.com/the-benefits-of-collagen-for-hair-skin-nails/

[vi] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881

[vii] https://www.vitalproteins.com/blogs/stay-vital/collagen-peptides-types

[viii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/type-v-collagen

[ix] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen-benefits

[x] https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/potential-health-benefits-of-collagen-and-thing-it-cant-do/

[xi] https://www.webmd.com/diet/collagen-health-benefits

[xii] https://www.livkraft.com/blog/5-plant-based-nutrients-that-naturally-boost-collagen

[xiii] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/collagen-foods

[xiv] https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/collagen-supplements-market

[xv] https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/north-america-collagen-Based-supplement-market

April 8th, 2021

About the Author:

 
Gene Bruno

Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG) - Mr. Bruno possesses over 43 years of dietary supplement industry experience. With a Master's degree in nutrition and a second Master's degree in herbal medicine, he has a proven track record of formulating innovative, evidence-based dietary supplements. Mr. Bruno currently serves as both the Senior Director of Product Innovation at Twinlab Corporation and Professor of Nutraceutical Science at Huntington University of Health Sciences.