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5 Myths About Collagen Supplements

Helping to combat skin wrinkling and sagging, the supplements are believed to have magical powers for your skin.

From our neighbours, family members and friends to celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Khloé Kardashian, everyone seems to be in on the collagen supplement craze. While collagen, one of the main building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments, has been pumped into skin via injectable facial fillers to help prevent and eliminate wrinkles and other signs of ageing for a long time, it is now readily available in pills, powder or liquid form. As production of collagen, a fibrous, supportive protein that helps skin cells stick to one another and gives skin strength and elasticity decreases with age, it isn’t a wonder many are turning to the easy-to-take option. What’s more, the supplements purported to keep skin looking youthful and radiant by helping it maintain its elasticity are also believed to have health benefits like strengthening bones, promoting hair growth and improving joint health.

Sabina Bozic, a brand ambassador of Gaia Naturelle, European-based producers of liquid dietary supplements and natural skin care cosmetics, has debunked five myths around collagen supplements. Here’s what to know about what everyone is hoping to be a real “fountain of youth.”

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Myth 1: We don’t need to take supplements as the human body produces collagen naturally.

The Reality:
Collagen is a type of protein in your body that gives skin its structure, suppleness and stretch. While there are many types of collagen, our body mainly consists of types 1, 2 and 3. The human body does indeed produce collagen naturally, however as we age, we turn out less collagen in our skin every year, and that’s why we tend to see wrinkles and thinning skin as we get older. Collagen begins to deplete from age 25, leading to creaky joints and saggy skin.

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Myth 2: Collagen shots are only for women.

The Reality:
Collagen is often associated with glowing skin or getting a youthful complexion, so typically women use collagen products more than men. However, aside from being a big phenomenon in the beauty world, collagen has a host of health benefits for your body particularly in areas like muscles, joints and even digestion.

Collagen can be a useful ally in muscle recovery and fighting off anti-ageing signs such as hair thinning, achy joints and low energy. Naturally, as you age, collagen levels begin to drop, and so by supplementing collagen into your diet, you can boost those levels and reap the benefits. Here are some reasons why everyone, especially men, should increase their collagen intake:

  • Promotes gut health
  • Supports joint health and reduce joint pain
  • Strengthens hair, skin, nails and teeth
  • Boosts muscle recovery
  • Increases energy levels and mood
  • Protects the heart
  • Improves metabolism and muscle mass
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Myth 3: All types of collagen are the same, with a similar effect on the body.

The Reality:
There are at least 16 types of collagen, which is found throughout your body, providing structure and support. The four main types are I, II, III, and IV.

  • Type I accounts for 90 percent of your body’s collagen and is made of densely packed fibres. It provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue and teeth.
  • Type II is made of more loosely packed fibres and found in elastic cartilage, which cushions your joints.
  • Type III supports the structure of muscles, organs and arteries.
  • Type IV helps with filtration and is found in the layers of your skin.


As you age, your body produces less and lower quality collagen. One of the visible signs of this is in your skin, which becomes less firm and supple. Cartilage also weakens with age.

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Myth 4: Collagen tablets and powders are equal to collagen shots.

The Reality:
Liquid collagen is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly and efficiently than solid supplements (which your body has to work harder to extract nutrients from). We absorb 90 percent of the liquid collagen vs. 30-35 percent of the powder/tablets collagen. The benefit of most liquid collagens is that they are hydrolyzed. That means its large proteins have already been broken down, saving our bodies a step and making them easier to absorb.

Hydrolyzed collagen, collagen peptides and collagen hydrolysate all refer to collagen that has undergone hydrolysis to make it easier to dissolve.

Liquid collagen supplements generally have the convenience of being ready-to-drink, however they usually have to be refrigerated.

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Myth 5: Eating or drinking just collagen will help increase collagen.

The Reality:
If you ingest collagen, whether via tablets, powders, shots or drinks, it will still be digested and excreted, and it certainly doesn’t circulate the body making new collagen. The body in essence breaks it down, as it does with all the protein you consume orally. That’s why taking a supplement that contains pre-cursors and potent ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C is the optimal way to encourage the body to produce collagen naturally.

Gaia Naturelle has launched its range of dietary supplements in the GCC with its health and beauty boosting signature product, Collagen Shot. Boasting a combination of ingredients including collagen, MSM (mineral), hyaluronic acid and vitamins C, E, B6, Biotin and Zinc, the water-based supplement is created using the latest technology and high-quality concentrated active ingredients. It is available on www.collagenshotme.com, Amazon and The Entertainer. 

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