We all know collagen supplements are good for us, however the studies are long and sometimes confusing so we've broken it down for you in our Collagen 101!

Different types of Collagen

Aside from water, collagen is the most abundant substance in the human body. 

 So far there have been 29 collagen types identified and described as types 1, 2, 3 and 4 to represent over 90% of the collagen already inside of us.

• Type I Collagen is the basis for many tissues such as skin, hair, nails, gut lining, liver, bones, aorta and cornea and it is the most abundant collagen type found in the body. (Put a pin in that)
• Type II Collagen is the basis for articular cartilage and hyaline cartilage.
• Type III structurally is quite similar with Type I, found in skin, bones and muscles.
• Type IV collagen is primarily in the basal lamina (thin layer of gel-like liquid) that acts as a membrane between two sheets of cells.

So, if my body makes collagen why do I need to take more?

Naturally the body’s ability to produce its own collagen slows down as you age, declining rapidly with age, poor diets, lack of exercise, the introduction of toxins and sun damage from our environment. In countries like Japan, where they have collagen rich diets, you find they age extremely well. Unless you want to make bone broths everyday for the rest of your life, while delish… is super time consuming! A collagen supplement that can be added to any food might be for you?

Just some food for thought…

So which type of collagen should I be having?

Collagen types contain different proteins which serve separate purposes within the body. The most important collagen is Type 1 as it is the most complete due to the fact that supports skin, muscles, bones, hair and nail growth and maintenance. Type 2 Collagen protein makes up the fluids and function in the cartilage and joints

• If you want to target only joints, Type 2 Collagen might be for you.
• If you want to target holistically, Type 1 Collagen might be for you.

So how do I know where these different collagen types come from?

There are 3 main external sources of Collagen:

• Porcine collagen is sourced from Pigs. Type 2
• Bovine collagen is sourced from Cows. Type 2
• Marine collagen is sourced from Fish. Type 1

Porcine derived collagen is increasingly rejected for religious reasons.

The risks of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy are the main reason that the use of cattle as source for collagen has been reconsidered.

Marine collagen in general is found to be about 60% purer than bovine and porcine collagen and is much safer and eco-friendlier.

Is Marine collagen the best overall?

Type 1 is the most abundant collagen found in the body and Marine Collagen is the most abundant Type 1 collagen source you can find. So Marine Collagen seems like the obvious choice, right? It targets all areas of the body, whereas Bovine Collagen targets mostly joints alone. Because it’s derived from fish, it has a lower gelling and melting temperature, meaning it mixes far better. It has dramatically lower molecular weight than both Bovine and Porcine Collagen, meaning it is absorbed much faster through the intestinal wall. Not only that, it is by far the purest and safest form in comparison AND its environmentally friendly as it’s derived from fish skin rather than beef offal. 

Marine Collagen is also: 

• Easier to use
• Use less for more benefits
• Purest and safest form of collagen
• Environmentally friendly

Which is the best one for me?

There are a number of fantastic brands currently available in Australia and throughout the world that sell Marine Collagen. Not only is it scientifically proven to improve hydration and plump your skin to help reduce wrinkles, it has so many advantages from healing your gut to strengthening bones, hair, skin and nails, supports joints and ligaments, encourages weight-loss and regulates hormones, to name a few.

By now you are starting to see what all the fuss is about, how one supplement can be so beneficial in so many ways. That’s why we like to refer to our Marine Collagen as Youth Elixir, because it’s a real, scientifically proven 100% natural source of beauty, health and wellbeing. Literally an Elixir to keep you young and active! How could it get any better?

 Take the 12 week challenge…

This is organic beauty at its finest, taking Youth Elixir Marine Collagen Beauty as part of a healthy lifestyle we guarantee you’ll see your health and beauty transform on our 12 week beauty transformation programme! Ditch the Botox and fillers and try Youth Elixir for more permanent long-lasting results, for a fraction of the price. Results can be seen from 4-8 weeks depending on the individual and their lifestyle.