Getting the Most Out of Your Collagen Peptides

Collagen supplementation has snowballed over the past few years due to its potential to improve skin elasticity and connective tissue health. It’s the most abundant protein in the body but declines as we age. It’s no surprise that supplementation is so popular. Although the benefits of collagen peptides are well known, what’s not as well known is the role vitamin C plays in its effectiveness. So, supplementing with collagen is good, but ensuring you get enough vitamin C in conjunction is even better. People with complicating health factors may be especially concerned about vitamin C deficiency.

The Role of Vitamin C

Vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) is widely appreciated for supporting immunity and antioxidant processes. The body cannot produce it, so it must be acquired through diet. Although some immune cells store vitamin C, it is water-soluble, so any excess volume excretes rapidly. Therefore, consuming several smaller doses of vitamin C throughout each day is helpful, especially since absorption dramatically declines at doses over 200 mg. Many fruits and vegetables will provide reasonable levels of C. Still, a supplement may be necessary for people with dietary restrictions, illness, or injury.

Vitamin C is also necessary to synthesize the immensely popular structural protein collagen.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein that comprises much of our connective tissues, including our joints, tendons, ligaments, and skin. It increases strength and flexibility, allowing for smooth joint articulation and ease of mobility.

Specialized cells, called chondrocytes, produce collagen. Collagen peptides can stimulate chondrocytes to produce relevant tissues, and ascorbic acid further supports the process.

Peptides are unique combinations of amino acids and precursors to specific tissues. Supplementing collagen peptides and ascorbic acid is an efficient way to encourage wound healing and improve the strength and flexibility of connective tissues.

Supplementation Guidelines

Vitamin C

It comes in many forms and potencies for those who require vitamin C supplementation. We advise you to take several small doses throughout the day to help avoid the chance of taking more than your body can absorb. Options include capsules, gummies, or powders at varying potencies.

Collagen

The most efficient collagen dosing is as a granulated powder added to liquids. Options include using the powder in smoothies, oatmeal, or mixed in milk and used with coffee or cereal. Effective doses range from 12-gram to 25-gram servings once or twice a day. Collagen may also be obtained from bone broth if preferred.

Should I buy a product with both?

While combination products exist, someone who eats a balanced diet won’t likely need to supplement their vitamin C. However, if your diet isn’t great or you have complicating factors, you may want to consider it.

As always, we’re here to help! Please talk to us if you have further questions.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499877/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499877/https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

About the Author

Joel Hall

Coastal Pharmacy & Wellness Staff

At Coastal, Joel is our go-to guy for anything related to supplementation and the complex role nutrients play in every bodily function. Although he may be reserved, helping people find their way to optimal health drives what he does. If you see him staring intently at his computer screen, he’s most likely researching something that most of us can only partly understand. He loves sharing his accumulated knowledge and spends as much time as necessary to explain things in a way to help you make good health decisions. He's been working in the wellness arena since the early 2000's and has been in the pursuit of nutritional knowledge since way before that. You can find him behind the wellness desk Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information read our profile on Joel.

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