Answering the 6 Most Asked Questions
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, making up tendons, ligaments, skin, muscles and bones. But as we age, our ability to produce collagen declines; after the age of 20, we produce 1% less collagen each year. Collagen supplements provide your body with the raw materials it needs to create more collagen on its own. Specifically, bovine collagen, derived from cows, contains 18 important amino acids. Of these, glycine, proline and hydroxyproline are particularly important, because they are the main amino acid components of collagen and replenishing them may help to maintain healthy collagen levels in the body.
Kore Bovine Collagen Powder contains 10 grams of hydrolyzed bovine collagen, while also providing nine grams of protein with only 40 calories. To easily incorporate it into your every-day eating routine, mix it into coffee, juice or smoothies, add it to baked goods, stir it into yogurt or oatmeal, add it to scrambled eggs or mash it into your avocado when you make avocado toast. It’s completely tasteless; you won’t notice it at all!
What is Bovine Collagen?
Bovine collagen is a naturally occurring protein found in the connective tissue, bones, cartilage and hides of cows. Collagen from cows is similar to collagen humans have in their bodies, specifically Type I and Type III collagen.
What are the Difference between Types I, II and III Collagen?
Each type of collagen is composed of different amino acids, which are building blocks of protein. Type I and Type III collagen are found together and serve similar functions in the body, helping to maintain the structure of skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and organs, including the intestines, where they play a role in gut health. Type II collagen is often found in cartilage and only serves to support healthy joints. It is typically found in marine collagen, along with Type I, but marine collagen lacks the Type III found in bovine collagen.
What is Hydrolyzed Collagen?
Bovine collagen typically comes in two forms: hydrolyzed collagen and gelatin. Both have the same amino acid profile, but they have different structures and react differently with liquids. When collagen is hydrolyzed, it means the amino acids within it have been broken down, so they are easier for your body to digest and absorb. Hydrolyzed collagen also absorbs easily in either hot or cold liquids, making it easier to add to coffee, smoothies and oatmeal, while gelatin only dissolves in hot liquids.
What are the Benefits of Supplementing with Bovine Collagen?
May Improve Your Skin: Consuming bovine collagen powder has been shown to help decrease skin dryness, improve elasticity of the skin and reduce wrinkle depth. Bovine collagen supplements stimulate your body to produce more collagen on its own by providing it with the necessary amino acids to do so.
May Strengthen Your Nails: Collagen is one of the major proteins found in nail beds. It supports the nail infrastructure, and when collagen is lacking, your nails become brittle and more susceptible to breakage. Bovine collagen contains the amino acid arginine, which helps stimulates nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide improves blood flow, increasing the amount of nutrients delivered to the nail bed and promoting healthy growth.
May Build and Maintain Muscle Mass: Types I and III collagen, which are found in bovine collagen, have been shown to boost circulation and stimulate the production of glycine, an amino acid that builds lean muscle. Bovine collagen supplementation, coupled with resistance training, may also help with the maintenance of muscle mass and function in aging in men.
May Promote Heart Health: The walls of our blood vessels are made from collagen, which maintains a sturdy and healthy structure with good elasticity that promotes blood flow.
What is the Best Time to Take Collagen?
It does not matter if you take your bovine collagen supplement on an empty stomach, or in the morning or evening, as the amino acids can be broken down and absorbed no matter how you take it. It is, however, important to note that if you are not eating a balanced diet, you will not reap all the possible benefits of collagen, as your body will use the collagen simply for calories and energy. It is also important to ensure you are consuming enough vitamin C throughout the day because it is necessary for your body’s natural production of collagen.
And How Much Should You Take?
While your body needs the amino acids from collagen every day, the recommended daily amount comes down to your goals. That’s why it’s best to talk to your dietitian or your doctor to figure out the right amount for you.