Hydrolyzed collagen: a great option for your body

Maybe you’ve already seen, especially on the shelves of health food stores, jars of hydrolyzed collagen or just heard about it. But have you ever stopped to research about its properties and the benefits it can offer the human body?

Nutritionist Mylena Beccari Casagrandi, a specialist in functional clinical nutrition and preventive clinical nutrition, highlights that, in order to understand what hydrolyzed collagen is, it is first necessary to know what collagen is.

“Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body (about 25 to 30%). Collagen has a supporting function – as it is located between the cells – and is responsible for the skin’s resistance. In addition, it is responsible for maintaining water retention in the skin, ensuring youthfulness,” he explains. “For our body to produce collagen, we need an excellent consumption of vitamin C, in addition to copper and manganese. Zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 are also needed”, adds the professional.

Collagen and the skin

From the age of 25, a loss of 1% of the body’s collagen per year begins to occur, in both sexes, as explained by the nutritionist. “But it’s worth noting that the amount of collagen in men’s skin is higher than in women – that’s why men have fewer wrinkles,” she says.

Mylena also adds that, in the first five years of menopause, 30% of collagen types I and III (which are in the skin) are lost. And while it’s not possible to get it back completely, a hydrolyzed collagen treatment can go a long way.

“When we are young, we have more collagen type I than type III (so the skin is firmer). With aging, we lose type I collagen and increase type III collagen (which no longer gives the skin so much firmness) and, thus, wrinkles appear”, explains the nutritionist.

In addition to the natural loss, Mylena remembers that the heat and the sun also damage the skin’s collagen, making it look older.

It is within this context that many people, especially women, have found in hydrolyzed collagen the improvement – ​​and, in some cases, even the solution – of many of their problems.

The hydrolyzed collagen

The nutritionist defines it as a “modified” collagen, which undergoes a breakdown process, through water, so that its structure becomes smaller. “And it is precisely the size of this structure that guarantees its absorption and consequent use by the body. In other words, hydrolyzed collagen is collagen that is ready for the body to use wherever it is needed – skin, tendons, nails, hair, etc.”, explains Mylena Casagrandi.

The process of breaking down its structure happens as follows: “animal bones and skin are homogenized, washed and demineralized, thus forming pure collagen. This pure collagen undergoes a hydrolysis (chemical reaction), turning into gelatin. This gelatin undergoes another hydrolysis to become a smaller structure – hydrolyzed collagen”, explains the professional.

benefits

Hydrolyzed collagen can offer several benefits to the body, as quoted by nutritionist Mylena:

• Improves the body’s cartilage;
• Improves osteoarthritis;
• Helps to reduce joint pain;
• Assists in the mobility of people with osteoporosis;
• Improves sagging skin;
• Prevents degenerative diseases;
• Prevents wrinkles;
• Improves skin hydration (decreasing the degree of aging);
• Improves rheumatological diseases and joints.

Recommendation

Hydrolyzed collagen is a good option for anyone who has some of these symptoms described above or who wants an improvement in the appearance of their skin, says nutritionist Mylena.

“The recommended amount to get results is 10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen per day. And there is no maximum time restriction for consumption, as the product is very safe”, highlights the professional.

Hydrolyzed collagen can be found in liquid, powder or capsule form.

Contraindication

“As collagen is a protein of animal origin, the contraindication exists for vegetarians or people who cannot consume products of animal origin, as well as people with kidney problems (who have difficulty in eliminating protein residues from the body)”, highlights the nutritionist.

“Individuals who are in strict control of the amount of protein in their diet should also be careful with their consumption, that is, they should take into account the extra amount of protein coming from collagen”, Mylena recalls.

Price and where to find hydrolyzed collagen

Food and hydrolyzed collagen are allies

When the goal is to achieve one (or more) of the results achieved by hydrolyzed collagen, some foods can also help. “Alfalfa, beans or flaxseed sprouts contain glycine and proline (which are the nutrients that participate in the formation of collagen by our body). Include a full handful in your salads daily”, suggests the nutritionist. “Also, add a glass of hydrolyzed collagen to your afternoon snack. You will definitely notice the difference. But it is worth remembering that the effect is not immediate, it is necessary to consume them for at least four to six months to notice the difference”, concludes Mylena.