BUSTING 6 ASSUMPTIONS CAUSING CONSUMER CONFUSION on COLLAGEN

The Natural Products industry is reluctant to discuss collagen and ingestible collagen products in a manner that is truly informative. The current framework is fraught with problems and assumptions. The net result is that consumers are disappointed as results often fail to match expectations.  We can do better. This article is intended to put the spotlight in the false assumptions that we are getting far too comfortable with.

In essence this market is a minefield inaccurate science, for the most part creating an illusion of benefits. Very few do it correctly so let’s navigate through this jungle and find a better way.

ASSUMPTION #1:

COLLAGEN PRODUCTS CONTAIN COLLAGEN

Firstly, there are no “collagen” supplements per se, despite the labels.  Why? Because the collagen proteins are not what is being sold. Collagens are gnarly and tough and not conducive to formulating in a liquid, a capsule or powder. What is commercialized are collagen peptides not protein.

Remember, the rank order of size is protein>peptide>amino acids. The commercial products are peptides i.e., fragments of proteins, created by acid and enzyme hydrolysis. The digestive process breaks down proteins into peptides and then in turn, the gut digests them further to amino acids which are the forms that are absorbed. There are some examples of small peptides (2 or 3 amino acids long) that are absorbed, but the gut lining does not normally allow peptides to cross the barrier as it creates allergic reactions.

ASSUMPTION #2:

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS INGEST, ABSORB AND ELEVATE COLLAGEN-DERIVED AMINO ACIDS IN ORDER TO CREATE COLLAGEN LOCALLY

With some exceptions, ingested peptides are further digested into amino acids as this is a necessary step for absorption from the gut. These amino acids, as is the case with the ingestion of any proteinaceous meal, then reach all tissues via the circulation.

If the mere presence of substrate (amino acids) was all that was needed to create collagen, then collagen production would be raised in all tissues, at once, without discrimination, and the collagen would be created on a sustained and ultimately excessive basis.

What would that mean? It would cause RAMPANT FIBROSIS of ALL TISSUES.

This is not what happens, and reason for this is that the assumption is incorrect. Collagen production is not enhanced by merely raising plasma amino acid levels. Collagen production is governed by the 28 individual enzymes that make the 28 different forms of collagen. The presence of these enzymes is determined by whether the 28 different genes that code for these enzymes are expressed (active) or not. If the genes are dormant, there are no enzymes and if there are no enzymes then there is no collagen production. This applies to whether you ingest collagen peptides or not.

There are some solid companies that sort through this soup of peptides generate from hydrolyzed collagen protein. From this soup they only select peptides that have been found to have two critical characteristics.

Firstly, these peptides must be absorbed from the gut. Otherwise, game over.

Secondly, these peptides must activate fibroblasts in a manner that leads to the creation of collagen locally.  These forms of collagen ingestibles understand very well that the production of collagen in tissues, where you need it, when you need it and in the amounts you need, is determined by the decisions that are made by fibroblast. They select specific collagen peptides to regulate just that. What they do not rely upon is the mere elevation of amino acids in plasma as that is NOT what drives the collagen production process.

Some companies, like Gelita, understand this important concept and they create ingredients with functional value. Because of the extensive R&D process that is involved these companies often support their ingredients with preclinical mechanistic studies and clinical trials to demonstrate functionality.  This approach is to be applauded.

The fundamental difference in this selective peptide approach is that the intent is not deliver the building blocks (amino acids or peptides) to build collagen proteins, but rather to optimize cellular decision making, so the fibroblasts (the cells responsible for creating the matrix) are optimized to create collagen proteins (amongst other matrix elements). This approach is quite distinct from the false assumption that all I need to create collagen is to deliver the amino acid building blocks in the blood.

ASSUMPTION #3:

MY COLLAGEN MUST BE FROM A SPECIFIC ANIMAL SOURCE OR A SPECIFIC FORM

This is a common request that ignores how the body works. As long as the enzymes that create the collagen is present and active, they will string the amino acids in the correct sequence that is needed. It matters not where the amino acids came from (animal or tissue source). One is not recreating fish skin, or hooves etc. from the source. The specific collagen forming enzymes simply using those individual amino acids, like pearls, to recreate the pearl necklace that would be an intact collagen protein.

Claiming that I need to ingest Type 2 collagen in order to generate Type 2 collagen in the body, is a fallacy.

This rabbit hole is encouraged by those that want to promote a specific source for commercial reasons. They often tout relative abundance of one amino acid over another as the rationale but ignores that it is the local enzymes that govern the production of the 28 different forms, in the amounts needed for each location. Just because one collagen form may be more dominant in one tissue over another is not critical. You do not need to ingest cartilage-based collagen for the body to create more collagen in cartilage. Or skin or pick your favorite target. This is pure consumer manipulation.

ASSUMPTION #4:

VEGAN COLLAGEN IS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE

Collagen is an animal protein and is not present in plants. Yet we now face the ludicrous notion of vegan collagen being commercially available. What is being sold are peptides from genetically engineered fermenters (bacteria or yeasts), created using peptide sequences that are found in different animal collagens.

Note, these are just peptides and upon ingestion they are broken down to amino acids by the digestive system sending us back to Assumption #2. The question arises that if an amino acid sequence is derived from an animal protein (again collagens are animal proteins) can it truly be called vegan? Are vegans happy that the product is from genetically engineering microbes? Finally, it is not a protein, it is a slew or peptides and amino acids. It is easy to see where people can be confused, but marketing takes advantage of that confusion by blurring the science.

Altogether this misuse of terms makes vegan collagen a poster child for vague nomenclature that is designed to tap into emotional strings in the market, rather than deliver value, educate and solve problems.

ASSUMPTION #5:

THERE IS NO NEED TO REGULATE COLLAGEN AND MATRIX BREAKDOWN

As much as we like to discuss the need to generate more collagens, especially with age, there is negligible discussion on the impact of enzymes that degrade collagens, known as MMPs (matrix metalloproteineases). These MMPS are activated by UV light, inflammation and function to chop up collagen.

MMPS are regulated by gene switches that also control the enzymes that make collagen. They do so in a classic case of Yin/Yang. When MMPs are activated, i.e., during oxidative stress, the enzymes that make collagen are simultaneously turned off (rendered dormant at the gene level).

Simply put, why would the body exert energy to generate collagen and simultaneously destroy it at the same time? Trick question, as it does not do this.

You cannot solve deficits in collagen by ignoring MMPs, whose activity is totally independent of amino acids ingested by collagen supplements. The overall health of the matrix, including collagens is determined by the relative balance of processes that generate and destroy collagen. Not accounting for all elements will lead to outcomes that are disappointing.

ASSUMPTION #6:

MATRIX HEALTH ONLY REFLECTS COLLAGEN

Using skin health as an example, the skin matrix is a complex array of proteins (and yes collagen is a dominant one), as well as glycoproteins (tenascins for example), and polysaccharides (like hyaluronic acid). In skin proteins like elastin are important as it allows for flexibility. Cartilage less so, hence elastin levels are much lower. The glycoproteins called tenascins are also important for function in tissues that are subject to stretching forces like skin, tendons (hence the name), arteries and the gut. Similarly hyaluronic acid is another matrix component that greatly assists in reducing friction. This is important for skin and joints. But while hyaluronic acid is made by the same fibroblasts that generate collagen, it is important to note that hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide not a protein. Nevertheless, optimizing fibroblast decision making also optimizes hyaluronic acid levels as well as collagen (as well as other matrix elements).

Simply focusing on collagen as the determinant of matrix health is naïve. Overall health is determined by the relative health and abundance of all elements that go into the matrix construct.

SUMMARY.

These assumptions outline the points of confusion amongst consumers in their desire for improved matrix health. Despite this confusion, this segment of the natural produces industry it has resulted in a new $8B collagen behemoth. This rapid growth has suppressed any incentive to educate consumers and even healthcare providers. Some myths are becoming self-perpetuating in this world of social media and disinformation.

One would expect that eventually consumer dissatisfaction and confusion will mount, haunting this sector, unless we bring true value and meet consumer needs. That will require busting myths and revisiting education, as opposed to the current gold rush mentality of disinformation.