Collagen The name collagen comes from the Greek κόλλα (kólla), meaning "glue", and suffix γέν, -gen, denoting "producing" Common Names: Collagen Peptides, Hydroxylated Collagen Avery Claire Jones, Student Pharmacist, Spring 2022 Background/History: Collagen makes up approximately 30% of the proteins in the body and is the most abundant protein in the body. It plays a vital role in the health of skin, bones, and connective tissues. It helps to keep joints strong, make skin elastic, and protect organs. Our bodies continuously synthesize collagen; however, after the age of 25 our bodies start to lose collagen. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ejiao (made from donkey-hide gelatin) has been used since ancient times. Scientific efforts to obtain biologically active collagen peptide were pioneered in the 1960s by Paul Börnstein, who developed an extraction-based method of obtaining collagen. However, it was found to not be active collagen. In the 1980s, Polish scientists extracted collagen from fish skin. Methods of collagen production were devised which managed to preserve its unique spatial conformation the triple helix made up of amino acid chains.
Common Uses: • • • • •
Improve skin health (aging skin) Relieve joint pain (osteoarthritis) Prevent bone loss Boost muscle mass Promote heart health
GNC® | Vitamins, Supplements, Protein Powder & Health Products. Gnc.com. https://www.gnc.com/. Published 2022. Accessed March 3, 2022.
Mechanism of Action: In the dermis, collagen has a dual mechanism of action: 1) free amino acids provide building blocks for the formation of collagen and elastin fibers; 2) collagen oligopeptides act as ligands, binding to receptors present on the fibroblasts’ membrane and stimulate the production of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid Dosage Forms: 1. Tablets 2. Powders
3. Liquids 4. Capsules
Dosing: Collagen peptides have most often been used by adults in doses of 2.5 -10 grams daily for up to six months.
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