Collagen Drinks: How Real Are They?

Aside from Stem Cell Therapy, another frontier in skin care science is taking Asia by storm lately and they're in tiny, cute, tote-able bottles that promise to promote Collagen production in your skin. Could this be the potion of youth? Ladies, meet the Collagen Drink.

Collagen Drinks were invented in Japan, which isn't at all surprising because it is a known fact that this country is a land of innovations. A number of studies were conducted on these drinks prior to their release in the market. I'd like to quote thepillhouse.com on this one:

"...there are a number of studies done that proves beyond a doubt that Hydrolysed collagen can indeed be absorbed by our bod, to almost 90%. Oesser et al. conducted a study not too long ago, and found that ninety-five percent of enterally applied gelatin hydrolysate was absorbed within the first 12 h. This was determined by Carbon 14 and HPLC methods. Iwai K et al. also did a similar study in Japan, and the results showed good bio-availability for oral hydrolysed collagen supplementation. Bear in mind that both studies used hydrolysed peptides, not whole collagen molecules."

What is Hydrolyzed Collagen, exactly? They're Collagen molecules broken down into smaller bits through a water process called Hydrolysis. The purpose of which is to let Collagen enter the bloodstream effortlessly and go right to where it is needed the most: the skin. Because whole collagen molecules cannot in any way pass through the gut holes leading to the bloodstream as their size is way too huge.

Collagen Drinks work like this: You take it like any regular drink, preferably once a day, the Collagen peptides apparently stay for 8- 12 hours in your blood stream, giving it enough time to get to your skin layers and encourage fibroblast-the Collagen producers-growth and the density of Collagen Fibrils, or the collagen strands that act as "scaffolding" to our skin. (thepillhouse.com)

There are really no solid evidences that support the efficacy of Collagen Drinks as it is very new (and even Collagen- laden topical skin care products according to sources) apart from the positive claims of many women who have been taking it. I guess the only way to measure its effectiveness is through the Placebo effect: If it makes you feel younger and better, then by all means, use it. If you are new to and interested in this, there are some things that you have to consider before purchasing a pack of Collagen Drink. Click READ MORE for the rest of this post.

Collagen can be obtained from any type of food because it is an essential internal structure of any living organism. Collagen, a protein itself, is highly present in meat substances such as beef, pork, chicken, and seafood. Almost all Collagen drinks derive Collagen from such foods so even with or without this drink, you're assured that you'll still get your Collagen serving as long as you eat these meats, but the benefit of taking the former is you get a more concentrated and even higher dose of Collagen in one big gulp.

Seafood and Chicken meats are the main sources of Collagen, therefore most Collagen Drink companies source this precious ingredient from these meats. Now that you know this, take some time to read the ingredients label of Collagen Drinks especially if you are allergic to these foods.

It's amazing how a simple drink can be a skin care product, eh? But just like any new invention, it isn't without criticisms and contentions. Many scientists are saying that Collagen Drinks have overlooked one major body function: DIGESTION.

This is the reason why Western countries are not buying into this bottled- Collagen craze...yet. The simple science that questions (or even disproves) the efficacy of this drink goes like this:

Anything that is taken orally, whether solid or liquid, will land on the intestines, ergo it will undergo the natural process of digestion. Collagen, a known protein, will be broken down into amino acids just like any type of protein- rich food such as meat, whether it is hydrolyzed or not. When it is finally digested, the orally- taken Collagen is not the collagen that supports the skin structure any longer. It just becomes an amino acid.

Another concern that arises from Collagen Drinks? Sugar content. Perhaps some brands do this to mask the taste of the drink, especially those that contain marine- derived collagen. If not taken in moderation, this drink can spike Insulin and lead to weight gain and heightened blood sugar levels. On the brighter side, such drinks contain various ingredients such as Vitamin C, E, and A that will support the overall well- being.

Collagen is something we lose as we age and the best way to maintain it is to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants and Omega-3, the religious use of Sunblock, and avoid smoking.

As a consumer, I pay great importance to consumer reviews, but scientific facts are something that we can't just diss easily. I laid out all the facts that you need to know about Collagen Drinks so it's up to you to decide whether to believe them or not. That said, let's have a discussion below this post. So, what do you think of Collagen Drinks? Are they True or Too Good To be True? :)