Product Details
What is Collagen?
Hydrolyzed Collagen peptides are a unique, readily absorbed protein that offer proven benefits for healthy aging, joint and bone health, skin beauty and sports nutrition. Collagen is the native form of Gelatin. Both are derived from collagen rich tissues of cattle fit for human consumption.
Protein Essentials Collagen products with Peptan are derived from 100% natural, South American, pasture raised, sustainable sources and are free from any side-effects. Our bioactive peptides are free of additives and preservatives and contain more than 97% protein.
Protein Essentials Collagen with Peptan® is flavorless and odorless, making it easy to use in many foods and drinks. Our customers tell us they also like the ease of adding a scoop of collagen to their coffee, tea or juice each morning; and their preferred nonalcoholic evening beverage.
Protein Essentials Collagen has proven health benefits and it's easy to use!
Collagen peptides are a cold-soluble, easily digestible and highly bioactive form of collagen.
Everything you ever wanted to know about collagen.
Although they are not exactly the same as gelatin, both originate from collagen and are proteins made of amino acids. To understand better what collagen peptides are we will first start by explaining what collagen is and how collagen peptides differ from native collagen.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the cement that holds it all together
Collagen is the body’s most important building block and it makes up approximately 30% of the proteins in our bodies. Collagen is the key structural protein that ensures the cohesion, elasticity and regeneration of all our connective tissues, including skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bones. In essence, collagen is strong and flexible and is the ‘glue’ that holds everything together. It strengthens various body structures as well the integrity of our skin. There are many different types of collagen in our body, but 80 to 90 percent of them belong to Type I, II or III, with the majority being Type I collagen. Type I collagen fibrils have enormous tensile strength. This means they can be stretched without being broken.
Different cells in our body tissues are responsible for the production of collagen. The cells use specific amino acids and peptides as building blocks for the production of the large collagen helix structure. This is then organized into the strong fibers that provide structural tissue support, flexibility and the ability to withstand forces.
Role of collagen in the body (collagen distribution by weight ratio of dry mass).
With age, our bodies naturally begin to produce less collagen, and the first signs of aging start to occur. From around the age of 30 and accelerating in our 40s, loss of collagen affects all the connective tissues. Here’s how:
Skin
As skin cells become less active, the collagen network that provides skin firmness and structure breaks down. Our skin becomes dehydrated and thinner, while lines, wrinkles and deep furrows start to appear.
Bones
Bone turnover becomes imbalanced, with bone loss exceeding bone formation. This causes our bones to become more fragile and breakable.
Joints
Lower levels of collagen and other matrix components caused by aging can lead to loss of cartilage and joint function. This results in joint discomfort.
Muscles
A gradual loss of muscle mass and strength caused by aging can affect our balance, gait and overall mobility.
Aging is a natural process, but extrinsic factors – such as UV, pollution or lifestyle choices – can accelerate the process and lead to premature signs of aging.
What are collagen peptides?
Collagen peptides are small bioactive peptides obtained by enzymatically hydrolysis of collagen, in other words, the breaking down of the molecular bonds between individual collagen strands to peptides. Hydrolysis reduces collagen protein fibrils of about 300 – 400kDa into smaller peptides with a molecular weight of lower than 5000Da. Collagen peptides are also known as hydrolyzed collagen or collagen hydrolysate.
The much smaller and easily digestible collagen peptides are produced by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis.
What are the functional differences between collagen, gelatin and collagen peptide?
Collagen is a safe and natural ingredient available in different grades. It can be found in foods, such as bone broth or gelatin-based desserts. Its solubility, absorption and digestibility levels vary from one grade to another.
Native collagen is composed of large triple helix chains of amino acids and strengthens the structure of our body. It is not soluble. Typical applications include collagen casings, medical materials, sponges for burns/wounds etc. The molecular weight of native collagen is around 300 - 400kDa.
Gelatin is obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen. This process occurs when collagen triple helices are broken down to the point where they are pulled apart into individual strands. Gelatin will only dissolve in hot water, and will jellify when it is cooled (this is the same gelatin you would get in the bone broth you prepare at home). Because of its gelling, foaming, emulsifying and binding functionalities, gelatin is often used in culinary applications, such as gummy candies, jellies, sauce thickeners etc. Gelatin also has an irreplaceable role in pharma applications, where it is often used as excipient for making soft and hard capsules. Gelatin has a molecular weight of 50kDa.
When gelatin is hydrolyzed even further, those individual strands of protein are broken down into small peptides of amino acids. Collagen peptides are soluble in cold water, highly digestible and ready to be absorbed by our bodies. Studies have demonstrated that over 90% of the peptides we consume are digested and absorbed within a few hours after consumption. This rapid absorption ensures an effective delivery of the essential peptides and amino acids to their site of action in our bodies.
Collagen peptides are highly bioavailable. They act as building blocks, renewing bodily tissues, such as skin, bones and joints. It has been proposed that collagen peptides may act as a messenger to the cells and trigger the synthesis and reorganization of new collagen fibers, thereby supporting our tissue structure. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated collagen peptides’ health benefits. Key areas of benefit include healthy aging, joint and bone health, sports nutrition and skin beauty. Collagen peptides are cold water-soluble and highly bioavailable and bioactive. This makes them a better option for functional foods and beverages and dietary supplements than gelatin. Collagen peptides have a molecular weight of less than 5000Da.
The solubility, absorption and digestibility vary among different grades of collagen.
As a bioactive protein, Protein Essentials with Peptan is highly digestible and bioavailable.
Collagen Peptides are Known as Nature’s Building Blocks for Better Mobility
Good Nutrition and Supplementation Maximize Mobility
A healthy, active lifestyle requires optimal bone and joint health. This can be achieved through better nutrition and supplementation with fortified products that boost nutrient intake. Protein is a major component of the bones, cartilage and muscles, it can be beneficial to include collagen peptides in everyday diets to support maximum mobility.
Supporting Mobility with Protein Essentials Collagen Peptides
Protein Essentials with Peptan® type 1 collagen peptides are obtained by a proprietary enzymatic hydrolysis of native collagen and contain a unique combination of 18 key amino acids and offer exceptional nutritional properties not found in other protein sources. Highly digestible and bioavailable, 90% of the collagen peptides are absorbed into the blood just a few hours after ingestion.1,7
Collagen Peptides for an Active Lifestyle
Collagen is the main structural component of the human body and represents almost 30% of its total protein. Responsible for holding together tissue, it is mostly found in connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments, as well as in joints, bones and skin. However, with time, the body’s ability to replenish collagen slowly decreases, resulting in the physical decline of the body’s tissues and organs. As a hydrolyzed form of collagen, collagen peptides are proven to have multiple benefits for bone and joint health. Collagen peptides are transported to the target tissues — through the bloodstream — where they accumulate and stimulate cells to produce collagen.1,2 These bioactive proteins have a number of positive effects on mobility, including providing connective tissue support, reducing joint discomfort and helping to improve bone mass density.
Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Health
Representing around 90% of its total organic bone mass, collagen is one of the key components of the musculoskeletal system and is responsible for bone strength and flexibility. Collagen peptides efficacy have been proven in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies supporting the forming and functioning of healthy bones.3,4 By inducing bone formation and inhibiting the rate of bone resorption, collagen peptides have been shown to have a positive effect on bone metabolism. Collagen acts as a structural component to which calcium and other minerals attach. In a recent in vivo study, collagen peptides have been shown to improve calcium absorption, retain high levels of calcium in bones, increase bone mineral density and preserve bone strength.5
Improved Joint Mobility and Flexibility
Maintaining flexible joints is important to people of all ages, as it enables them to stay active and reduce the risk of injury. To achieve optimal joint function, it is important that joints receive the correct nutrients. Collagen peptides have been proven to be effective in improving joint functionality, including increased mobility and flexibility. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, using the WOMAC score system to measure the condition of participants with knee osteoarthritis, found that a daily intake of collagen peptides significantly reduced scores, with subjects recording an improvement of 32% in joint pain, 44% in stiffness and 22% in function.6
Protein Essentials Products are Peptan
Protein Essentials product line exclusively uses Peptan® collagen. Protein Essentials with Peptan is sourced from pasture raised non GMO, 100% hydrolyzed collagen. Increase bone and joint health while increasing protein intake with delicious and nutritious InstaBroth® or Chocolate & Mocha Shakes. Also try our unflavored Collagen and Gelatin.
Protein Essentials Collagen Peptides Sports Nutrition Benefits
It has long been known that protein is key for sports nutrition, specifically muscle building. Nutrition plays a key role as athletes prepare to reach optimum performance levels. The essential role of proteins is well known to competitive athletes as well as recreational athletes.
Protein Essentials Collagen Peptides can offer important advantages beyond muscle building. Collagen benefits include improving athletic performance, protecting connective tissues, supporting healthy joint maintenance and helping to reduce the risk of injury.
With a unique amino acid profile, Protein Essentials Collagen Peptides contain high levels of the amino acids glycine, hydroxypoline, proline, alanine and arginine - providing specific nutritional benefits not found in other protein sources.
Protein Essentials Collagen Peptides deliver numerous health and nutritional benefits to athletes both during and after exercise: aiding muscle contraction, muscle restoration, performance energy, joint and connective tissue protection and weight management.
Pure, natural, easily digestible and absorbable, Protein Essentials Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides are easy to use. Products range from unflavored collagen peptides, to Chocolate & Mocha Collagen to InstaBroth.
 1. S. Oesser, et al., “Oral Administration of 14C Labelled Gelatine Hydroslysate Leads to an Accumulation of Radioactivity in Cartilage of Mice (C57/BL),†Journal of Nutrition 129, 1891–1895 (1999).
2. S. Oesser and J. Seifert, “Stimulation of Type II Collagen Biosynthesis and Secretion in Bovine Chondrocytes Cultured with Dgrded Collagen,†Cell Tissue Research 311, 393–399 (2003).
3. F. Guillerminet, et al., “Hydrolyzed Collagen Improves Bone Status and Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized C3H/HeN Mice,†Osteoporosis International 23(7), 1909–1919 (2012).
4. F. Guillerminet, et al., “Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Metabolism and Biomechanical Parameters in Ovariectomized Mice: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study,†Bone 46(3), 827–834 (2010).
5. A. Daneault, et al., “Hydrolyzed Collagen Contributes to Osteoblast Differentiation In Vitro and Subsequent Bone Health In Vivo,†Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 22, S131 (2014)Â
6. J.X. Jiang, et al., “Collagen Peptides Improve Knee Osteoarthritis in Elderly Women,†Agro food Industry Hi Tech 25(2), 19–23 (2014).
7. S. Ichikawa, et al., “Hydroxyproline-Containing Dipeptides and Tripeptides Quantified at High Concentration in Human Blood After Oral Administration of Gelatine Hydrolysate,†International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 61(1), 109 (2010).