Collagen is promoted as the most abundant protein in humans. Collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones. While, whey protein, a milk-based protein, currently leads the global protein market. This all due to its cost-effectiveness and high bioavailability, collagen supplements are swiftly gaining popularity.
This piece delves into the advantages, different forms, and market dynamics of collagen.
Collagen is a key structural protein, mainly consists of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. It is arranged in a specific amino acid pattern: glycine-proline-X or glycine-X-hydroxyproline, where X is any other amino acid.
Collagen’s structure is organized into four levels:
- Primary (amino acid triplet)
- Secondary (α-helix)
- Tertiary (triple helix)
- Quaternary (fibrils) The type of collagen is determined by the structure it forms. Among the 28 known types, types I to V are most prevalent, with type I alone making up over 90% of the body’s collagen. See per below the five most common collagen types, their functions or applications, and their presence in various tissues or organs.
Collagen Types and Their Roles
- Collagen Type I: Integral for cell-bone matrix and bone regeneration, found in skin, bone, teeth, tendons, ligaments, and vascular ligature.
- Type II: Used in cartilage repair and arthritis treatment, present in cartilage.
- Collagen Type III: Forms reticular fibers supporting soft tissues, located in muscle and blood vessels.
- Type IV: A component of the basal lamina, used in cell attachment surface treatment and as a nephropathy marker, found in the basal lamina.
- Type V: Important for corneal regeneration treatment, present in hair, cell surfaces, and the placenta.
The sources of Collagen
Collagen can be sourced from natural animal and plant materials or synthesized using bacteria, yeast, insects, mammalian cells, or artificial fibrils. Common animal sources include bovine (cow), porcine (pig), and marine organisms.
Depending on the source, a hydrolysis extraction process may be used. Hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides, is more water-soluble and bioavailable compared to its native form.
The most widely used collagen types in dietary supplements and cosmetics are types I, II, and III. Type I is primarily obtained from marine sources, type II from chicken and bovine sources, and type III from porcine and bovine sources.
Potential health benefits of these supplements include:
- Bone health.
- Muscle function and strength.
- Wound healing.
- Joint health.
- Skin aging. Additionally, research points to the potential of collagen treatments like injections and medical and dental scaffolds for managing bone defects, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and periodontal disease.
Several researches in the past years have shown that the forecasts of the global collagen market will grow to a compounded annual growth rate of 5.5%, reaching $2.88 billion by 2028. This growth is fueled by increased consumer awareness of the health benefits, particularly in aging well.
Capsules, tablets and liquids are dominating over half of the market revenue. But, collagen powder is projected to see the most growth through 2028.
Bovine-derived collagen, noted for its benefits in joint and skin health, is expected to see significant growth. However, collagen supplements may cause sensitivities or allergies in some individuals, depending on their source.
The rising popularity of vegetarian diets could limit market growth, leading some brands to offer ‘collagen builders’ or ‘boosters.’ These products don’t contain collagen but include elements like biotin and vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and plant-based ingredients that aid in collagen production.
Summary
Summary As the most plentiful protein in the body, collagen provides structure to our hair, skin, nails, ligaments, tendons, and bones. With 28 types identified, types I through V are the most abundant, particularly type I. Collagen supplements, derived from various sources, offer diverse health benefits and are set to remain a strong market presence, driven by consumer interest in targeted health solutions, especially for healthy aging.
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