With increasing life expectancy, the pursuit of rejuvenation has become a priority across different age groups. The growing popularity of nutricosmetics — products with aesthetic-focused nutrients, especially dietary supplements — is attracting more attention from both consumers and scientific researchers.
Why Supplement with Collagen?
Numerous studies highlight the positive effects of hydrolyzed collagen peptides, especially in reducing signs of skin aging and strengthening the musculoskeletal system — the trio of bones, joints, and muscles.
But collagen’s role goes far beyond those commonly known benefits. As a highly conserved protein across species, accounting for around 30% of total body protein, it plays a critical role in the function of multiple tissues. Beyond skin, tendons, muscles, cartilage, and bones, collagen is also found in organ and intestinal linings, providing mechanical strength, flexibility, and resilience to bodily structures.
What does that mean? Collagen works like a natural “glue,” giving firmness, elasticity, and resistance — helping these structures stay strong, flexible, and healthy over time. Therefore, supplementing collagen can be beneficial for more than just aesthetics — it can support essential health functions throughout the body.
The Rise of Collagen in Brazil
According to a study by ABIAD (Brazilian Association of the Food Industry for Special Purposes), collagen consumption in Brazil increased by 167% between 2015 and 2020.
The market continued expanding between 2022 and 2027, driven by growing interest in beauty, joint health, and overall well-being, with an annual growth rate of 4.8%.
How Does Collagen Work at the Cellular Level?
Collagen operates at the cellular level: cells in the skin, bones, and cartilage synthesize collagen internally and release it to form a “web” that supports tissue structure. This process is self-regulated based on the body’s needs, ensuring tissue firmness and health.
However, modern lifestyles can accelerate collagen degradation. Stress, pollution, toxins (e.g., from plastics), and physical inactivity increase the action of collagen-degrading enzymes (collagenases like MMP-1). As a result, collagen-producing cells slow down, reducing natural replenishment and speeding up aging in skin, joints, and other tissues.
Though the cells remain alive, their activity is temporarily paused. To reactivate them, external stimulation is required — and collagen peptides play a crucial role here. They act as biological messengers, re-establishing cellular communication and triggering collagen production, helping reverse aging effects and maintain tissue metabolism.
How Does the Body Absorb Collagen Peptides?
Collagen peptides activate a cell signaling mechanism. When collagen starts breaking down due to aging or lifestyle factors, small collagen peptide molecules are released into the bloodstream — acting as a signal for collagen-producing cells.
These cells “wake up” and resume collagen synthesis to repair and strengthen tissues. The body also intelligently distributes peptides where they are most needed, prioritizing areas with greater degradation.
By consuming collagen peptides, the body interprets this as a natural cue to restore skin firmness, joint elasticity, bone strength, and even the integrity of the gut, brain, and blood vessels.
Whole-Body Effects of Collagen Peptides
When ingested, collagen peptides are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and enter the bloodstream, producing systemic effects. Their high concentration of specific and conditionally essential amino acids — such as glycine, hydroxyproline, and proline — gives them functional power.
Brain Health
Glycine, abundant in collagen peptides, acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, helping calm brain activity, especially at night to prepare for sleep.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest that glycine supplementation may improve sleep quality, memory, and offer neuroprotective effects. While more research is needed to confirm a direct link between collagen peptides and brain health, glycine’s presence shows strong potential (Koizumi et al., 2019).
Cardiovascular Health
Glycine plays a key role in cardiovascular function, potentially regulating blood pressure and supporting endothelial health. Additionally, type IV collagen is a vital structural component of blood vessel membranes.
Oxidative stress and enzyme activity (MMPs) can break down type IV collagen, contributing to inflammation and arterial degeneration (Steffensen et al., 2018). Supplementation can help mitigate this damage.
Gut Health
Collagen peptides may enhance the intestinal mucosal barrier, reducing permeability and preventing toxins and microbes from entering the bloodstream. Glycine also contributes with its anti-inflammatory action, benefiting overall gut health (Wang et al., 2020).
Genu-in® Life: Highly Pure Bioactive Collagen
Genu-in® Life is a natural, bioactive, high-purity collagen product with over 97% protein content. It contains 18 essential amino acids, with glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline making up around 50% — 10 to 20 times more than other proteins.
Genu-in® Life Collagen Peptides are formulated for high bioavailability and bioactivity, ensuring efficient and targeted absorption. This means the peptides reach the body’s most vulnerable and high-demand connective tissues quickly, where repair is most needed.
Sources:
ABIAD. Consumption Habits of Dietary Supplements. Link: https://abiad.org.br/estudo-aponta-crescimento-de-167-no-consumo-de-colageno
Wang, Shuo et al. Collagen peptide from Walleye pollock skin attenuated obesity and modulated gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice. Journal of Functional Foods, vol. 74, p. 104194, 2020. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464620304187
Koizumi S, Inoue N, Sugihara F, Igase M. Effects of Collagen Hydrolysates on Human Brain Structure and Cognitive Function: A Pilot Clinical Study. Nutrients. 2019 Dec 23;12(1):50. doi: 10.3390/nu12010050. PMID: 31878021; PMCID: PMC7019356. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7019356/
Aguayo-Cerón KA, Sánchez-Muñoz F, Gutierrez-Rojas RA, Acevedo-Villavicencio LN, Flores-Zarate AV, Huang F, Giacoman-Martinez A, Villafaña S, Romero-Nava R. Glycine: The Smallest Anti-Inflammatory Micronutrient. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023 Jul 8;24(14):11236. doi: 10.3390/ijms241411236. PMID: 37510995; PMCID: PMC10379184. Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10379184/
Steffensen, LB; Rasmussen, LM. A role for collagen type IV in cardiovascular disease? American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2018 Sep 1;315(3):H610-H625. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00070.2018. Epub 2018 Apr 20. PMID: 29677463. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29677463/
Zague V et al. Collagen peptides modulate the metabolism of extracellular matrix by human dermal fibroblasts derived from sun-protected and sun-exposed body sites. Cell Biology International. 2018 Jan;42(1):95-104. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28906033/
