What Are Collagen Peptides?

Unless you've been hiding under a rock the last few years (which, rightfully so), chances are you've heard a thing or two about some different types of collagen — more specifically, collagen peptides. 

From celebs using collagen to keep them looking young, fresh, and glam to fitness fanatics and health nuts touting the supplement as the unsung hero of wellness, collagen peptides are just about everywhere these days — but what exactly are they? We'll tell you. 

We're chatting about collagen in this article to give you the scoop on this increasingly popular supplement. So if you've ever wondered what collagen peptides are or if they're worth all the hype — keep reading.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is your body's most abundant protein, helping to structure your skin, hair, nails, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Thanks to this essential protein, you can move, twist, turn, bend and stretch. Collagen can also support skin health, hair health, and nail strength.

So, what exactly is collagen made of? Ah, good question. As mentioned previously, collagen is protein — it's made up of amino acids like proline, arginine, hydroxyproline, and glycine, all of which help your body's connective tissue, cartilage, cells, skin, organs, and bones stay as healthy as possible. 

Think of it as "glue;" without collagen, your body would fall apart. Needless to say, it's pretty important. 

What Are Collagen Peptides? 

Your body makes collagen naturally, but as you age (like fine wine), your body starts losing collagen. In fact, by the age of 40, you're likely to lose about one percent of your bodily collagen per year. Menopause (aka the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles) speeds up that loss, contributing to stiff joints, decreased muscle mass, worn-down cartilage, and fine lines.

This is where collagen peptides step in. 

Also known as collagen hydrolysate or hydrolyzed collagen, collagen peptides are made by extracting collagen from animals — such as chickens, cows, fish, and even eggshell membranes — and going through a process of hydrolysis. In this process, the collagen is heated and broken down into small, easy-to-digest molecules (aka amino acids or peptides). 

While it's true that you can find collagen in many healthy foods, such as bone broth, spirulina, and berries, collagen peptides are easily absorbed into the bloodstream, where they can work their healing magic quickly and efficiently. In other words, you may reap the benefits of collagen sooner rather than later when taken via a collagen peptide supplement.

Speaking of benefits… 

What Are the Benefits of Collagen Peptides?

There are a ton of great benefits to adding collagen peptides to your daily supplement line-up — here are some of them:

Benefit #1: Supports Joint Health

Collagen is considered a key protein component of cartilage, tendons, and connective tissues, including muscles and joints. For this reason, using a good quality collagen peptide powder or dietary supplement — like Call Me Collagen — can be a great option to support the health and function of your joints.

Benefit #2: Supports Muscle Mass

Everyone knows that protein builds muscle — but not everyone thinks about using collagen to achieve this goal. According to one recent study, hydrolyzed collagen supplementation proved to support muscle strength and body composition. In fact, some researchers believe that collagen may work even better than other proteins.

We should note that experts don't entirely know why this is the case, but research has shown that collagen peptides can better support skeletal muscle — which could be a contributing factor.

Benefit #3: Helps Maintain Skin Elasticity 

As we mentioned, our skin gets duller and more wrinkled with age. But collagen peptides can help give your beautiful aging skin an assist. One recent study found oral supplementation of collagen to increase skin hydration and elasticity while boosting collagen density. This translates to smoother, blemish-free, youthful-looking skin. 

Pro Tip: Pair your collagen with Good to Glow — a vitamin C and vitamin E skin-lovin' combo that provides anti-aging benefits, brightens dull skin, and helps protect against free radicals. 

We also suggest Clear Skin Probiotics to balance your skin's microbiome, which can help to reduce the number of acne† pimples and improve skin pores, redness, and dryness.*

Benefit #4: Supports Gut Health

Dealing with belly bloat, irritable bowel disease, leaky gut, or other not-so-wonderful digestive issues? Research shows that collagen can potentially help support good gut health for the same reasons it helps repair and grow muscle tissue — it's an excellent nutrient source for the gut and can do wonders in rebuilding and strengthening the lining of your digestive tract. 

Pro Tip: Give your gut health an extra boost with Gut Feelings Probiotics. Our shelf-stable pre- and probiotic formula is made with clinically studied ingredients that support complete gut health and immunity. Simply take one capsule a day to balance, optimize, and calm your digestive system. 

Conclusion

So, what are collagen peptides, you ask?

Simply put, collagen peptides are a form of collagen. Like gelatin, collagen peptides are made up of amino acids that work together to keep your body healthy and strong. 

Through hydrolysis, collagen is broken down into smaller parts — aka peptides — where it becomes hydrolyzed collagen or "collagen peptides;" both refer to the more easily dissolvable and digestible form of collagen protein. 

Of course, you can find collagen in some foods, but since collagen peptides have been broken down into smaller amino acids, they are typically easier for your body to use and absorb. 

Not sure where to find a great collagen supplement to support your health and wellness goals? We recommend Call Me Collagen — this tasteless grass-fed collagen peptide powder is clinically proven to improve hair thickness, enhance skin surface structure, support nail growth, and reduce cellulite.* Plus, it's gluten-free and made with no carbs or sugar. 

At Love Wellness, we're on a mission to bring doctor-developed supplements to the masses. Whether you're looking for collagen, probiotics, or sleep support, you can always count on us to have just what you need to feel your best!

Sources:

Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications | PMC

Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomized controlled trial | NCBI

Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications | JDDonline

BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY GUT | Health Beat

Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin | PMC