Collagen Supplements: The Unanswered Questions

Is this multibillion dollar industry delivering value and claims?

COLLAGEN Supplements: The UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
A consumer reports article addresses one of the biggest health trends, Consumer reports on Collagen but I thought it would be timely to examine the issues through a thorough examination of the science. Collagen supplements are now a multibillion $ industry but what is the value? Where is the science? What functionality can we expect?

Firstly, let is address the history of collagen supplements. What was their origin? It all started with WASTE proteins. Protein sources that were not good enough for food. Initially it was rooster combs, which is a rich source of collagen but no-one would eat them. So instead of throwing them away they were enzymatically rendered (predigested) and sold as treatments for wrinkles. The vanity of the beauty market caught onto the “innovation” and the new approach to skin health was born.

Then additional sources of collagen waste proteins were explored and alternatives like the windpipes of cows (trachea cartilage) and fish skin/scales were incorporated into the nutritional supply chain. All focused on the beauty from within market using protein sources that were previously being tossed away. The consumers did not pay attention to the sources, they just wanted to solve their wrinkles. Now the market is expanding into sports and other areas of nutritional interventions.

The huge questions are “Do they Work”? If they do, then how do they work?

But there are many other questions that you should ask when thinking about following this path to a nutritional solution to your health needs. Let me highlight some of the critical ones.
1) There are at least 29 forms of human collagen, which one(s) do you need?

Collagen is not a single molecule. the form varies with tissue origin and is comprised of multiple forms that are stranded together in complex ways to provide strength, resilience, form, function. Additionally, they are combined with other matrix proteins to create site-specific functionality. Ask yourself, which one(s) do I need?

2) Supplements are made from animal collagen (fish, beef or chicken usually), is their collagen the same as your needs?

Just as there are many human genes that code for the varied collagens, the same applies for the animal sources. Which ones do you need? If say, you select fish scales does that mean upon ingestion you then make scales in your tissues? Hardly, but if not then why not? How is the creation of tissue collagen regulated and how does ingestign it affect that process?

3) How does ingesting a protein which then has to be digested down, absorbed, get past the liver and delivered to the target organ/tissue and then reassemble into the form of collagen you want - HOW does all that work?

When you think about it, it all seems kind of … magical. The processes of deconstruction and then reconstruction, let alone the site specific applications. Science does actually know how this is regulated but does ingesting a protein or partially digested protein deliver the goods? Is it superior than say just any old protein (diet) or amino acid combinations?

4) Many conditions are troubled by excessive collagen or matrix breakdown (by MMPs), so how are you accounting for that activity?

The status of a tissue matrix protein health (like collagen) represents a balance between the forces of construction and deconstruction. There are a family of enzymes that digest down matrix proteins called MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) who are responsible for chopping up damaged matrix to allow for new ones to be laid down. You cannot build a healthy structure if the components are damaged. So like all maintenance projects it is in a constant state of repair and rebuild.

MMPs are activated by inflammation and oxidative stress. In the case of skin often that is driven by UV radiation. Unless you manage those drivers MMPs will continue to break down matrix structures, like collagen, because they are damaged. Ingesting more collagen without accounting for this half of the see saw is pointless.

5) Matrix is made up many proteins & glycoproteins, why focus on collagen?

We focus on collagen, in its many forms, but tissue has many matrix elements. Proteins like elastin to glycoproteins like the tenascins, as well as the integrins, fibronectin that not only glue tissue together but also dictate how cells react, how they behave and drive their responses. Matrix is not an inert layer of bricks.

When addressing tissue dysfunction or aging, we must assess the decision making processes that are ongoing at that place and at that time.

6) Why is the collagen only built up where you want it, why doesn't it cause liver fibrosis or scarring?

The beauty from within market has never really addressed the issues of site selectivity. For example, if the “problem” is wrinkles, then when you ingest a collagen supplement how is it possible that the amino acids only go to the skin where the wrinkles are, and get reconstructed there to fill in the gaps?

What about other areas of skin where there are no wrinkles?

What about other tissues?

Liver fibrosis for example is a major health bane in Western Societies, together with NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver) is a concern for liver health. If there is a drive to create excess collagen (fibrosis is an excess of matrix proteins) then if I ingest a collagen supplement will this condition not be made worse? Am I creating health or limiting it?

Will scars be made larger? If not, then why not?

7) If the process of correcting an imbalance in collagen health is being created when I ingest amino acids from collagen, can I not achieve the same result from a good diet, or amino acids from other protein sources?

This question centers on the mindset that collagen begets collagen, and not the physiological processes of amino acids are used to create proteins, with collagen being just an example. Plus we have a decent amount of proteins that are in our blood all the time, delivered to our tissues via the circulation, for their local use as needed, when it is needed. While these levels go up after a meal, the liver sends a steady stream to make sure resources are adequate.

Conclusion

This list of questions are meant to stimulate your thinking. To examine the biomedical forces that are in play, and to better appreciate the opportunity that collagen supplements may offer. They are indeed a good source of protein and amino acids, like many other protein sources.

However, to better maintain matrix health one needs to account for how matrix structures are created, maintained, their site selectivity, their form and purpose. For the beauty from within market, I strongly urge that you start where the problem arises, which is oxidative stress and local inflammation. There, lipophilic free radical scavengers that limit the production of MMPs and inflammatory mediators will provide a rationale approach to the problem.