Dirty Little Secrets: Collagen

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals® in-house writers.
Collagen—it’s the buzzword everyone loves to throw around in the quest for glowing skin, stunning mane and eternal youth. Advertisements promise miracles in a jar, influencers flaunt their collagen-laced smoothies and wellness gurus hail it as the ultimate anti-aging elixir. But, like any trend that skyrockets to stardom, collagen comes with its fair share of myths, misconceptions, and dare we say, dirty little secrets.
Ready for some tea? Let’s dive into the world of collagen and debunk the myths, bust the hype and unveil what’s fact, what’s fiction and what’s straight-up fabulous about this superstar protein. Spoiler alert: it’s not as simple as “eat, glow, repeat.” There’s way more to collagen than meets the eye—or the skin.
Myth 1: Collagen is Your One-Way Ticket to Youthful Skin
One of the biggest claims of collagen supplements is that they can directly replenish your body’s collagen levels, leaving you with radiant, plump skin. But here’s the twist: collagen doesn’t exactly work that way!
The Science: Lets begin with a fact - Collagen is a protein and therefore a large molecule and cannot pass the skin barriers in that form. So when you consume collagen supplements, your body has to first exert a large amount of stress to first break the molecules down into amino acids like glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. These amino acids are then absorbed and utilized as the body sees fit—not specifically to make collagen for your skin.
What You Might Not Know: The effectiveness of collagen for skin isn’t just about taking supplements. The body does not work the way YOU want it to work, but the way IT NEEDS TO WORK. Collagen supplements turn to amino acids and could be redirected to repair muscles, support bone health, or even power up metabolic functions. Factors like your gut health, availability of proteins, organic acids and cofactors play a huge role. A healthy microbiome ensures better absorption of the amino acids and collagen synthesis. Without gut support, even the best collagen supplements will fall short.
Myth 2: All Collagen is Created Equal
When browsing for collagen supplements, you’ve likely seen phrases like "marine collagen," "bovine collagen," and "hydrolyzed collagen." But are they all the same? A BIG NO! They’re not—and the differences go far beyond just skin benefits.
What’s Really Happening: Marine collagen, for example, boasts smaller peptides, making it potentially more bioavailable than bovine collagen. On the other hand, bovine collagen is rich in Type I and III collagen, which target skin, tendons, and bones. But here’s the truth: Your body needs 28 DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLLAGEN for its functioning & your body doesn’t distinguish between collagen sources once they’re broken down into amino acids.
The Real Differentiator: The magic often lies in the accompanying nutrients in the supplement—like Vitamin C, which is essential for collagen synthesis.
Myth 3: Collagen is Only for Skin and Joints
The beauty industry has hijacked collagen as a tool for aesthetics, but its role in human health is far more complex and underappreciated.
Surprising Benefits:
- Brain Health: Glycine, a key amino acid in collagen, has been linked to improved cognitive function and better sleep quality. Some studies even suggest it might calm the nervous system.
- Metabolism Booster: Collagen may indirectly aid weight management by promoting lean muscle mass and supporting metabolic health.
- Gut Lining Repair: Collagen’s role in maintaining the gut lining is gaining attention, especially for people with leaky gut or chronic digestive issues.
Takeaway: If you’re only taking collagen for beauty, you’re missing out on its whole-body benefits. Instead consume plant based collagen boosters which have synergy with the human body facilitating the production of collagen by the fibroblasts at every site of action may it be brain, muscles or skin.
Myth 4: Collagen Supplements Work for Everyone
Have you ever noticed that some people rave about collagen while others see no benefits at all? Here’s why:
The Reality: Collagen synthesis is heavily influenced by genetics, age, lifestyle, and pre-existing health conditions. For example: Collagen production begins to decline in the mid-20s, with a loss of about 1% per year. Women experience a sharper decline during menopause, losing up to 30% in the first five years.
- Poor Lifestyle Choices: Smoking and excessive sugar consumption degrade collagen, negating the benefits of consuming it.
- Hormonal Influence: Estrogen plays a key role in collagen production. Women going through menopause may experience a sharper collagen decline, requiring targeted approaches like phytoestrogen-rich diets alongside collagen boosting food.
Pro Insight: Before investing in collagen, ensure your body is primed for synthesis by maintaining adequate levels of cofactors like Vitamin C, zinc, and copper.
The Future of Collagen: Beyond the Hype
Collagen supplementation is evolving. Here’s what we can expect in the future:
- Plant-Based Alternatives: While most collagen is derived from animals (bovine, marine, or chicken), advancements have led to fermentation-based vegan collagen alternatives, though these are rare, but are on the rise.
- Collagen “Stacking”: Combining collagen boosting foods that are rich sources of micronutrients like Spirulina, Chlorella, Red Spinach which will boost fibroblasts to not only produce collagen but other functional elements like hyaluronic acid, elastin, & combining them with adaptogens like Ashwagandha, Ginseng to enhance results.
- Personalized Nutrition: DNA-based testing to determine individual collagen needs and effectiveness.
What You Should Do Instead
Before jumping on the collagen bandwagon, focus on these foundational steps:
- Prioritize a Collagen-Friendly Diet: Incorporate foods that naturally boost collagen synthesis (e.g., citrus fruits, leafy greens).
- Address Lifestyle Habits: Protect your collagen by avoiding excess sun exposure, sugar, and smoking.
- Supplement Smartly: Choose supplements that include rich sources of micronutrients needed to enrich fibroblasts cells to enhance collagen production in the body whenever & wherever needed. The body needs around 28 different types of collagen based on its requirement and none of the quick fix supplement sources will fulfill all types, but instead if one consumes collagen boosting ingredients, the body will itself produce the necessary type of collagen. For eg, Replenish with Greens gummies from Caim by arelang uses apple juice concentrate base which is the perfect choice providing the right nutrition in just 5 kcal per gummy.
Collagen synthetic supplements are neither a miracle nor a cure but a marketing scam. Like any quick fix tool, their effectiveness is temporary. But, if you approach collagen with the right nutrition and lifestyle with a well-rounded wellness plan, the benefits can be real and transformative. The beauty of science—and collagen—is that it’s always evolving.
Let’s rethink collagen beyond the surface and embrace its broader potential. If you’re intrigued or have insights to share, drop a comment below. Let’s break the myths together.
Leave a comment