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Thick hair. Radiant skin. Strong, split-proof nails. Those are the promises of supplementation with marine collagen. But we get it, you want to know exactly how ingestible marine collagen works. What happens on the inside that shows on the outside? So, we’ve called on our founder Anna Lahey to answer everything you ever wanted to know about collagen supplementation.
Anna created Vida Glow after personally experiencing the visible results of taking marine collagen daily. She saw a change in the plumpness of her skin, her brittle, breaking nails strengthened, and her hair thickened so much her hairdresser noticed the difference. So why does marine collagen have these transformative effects on hair, skin and nails? Anna explains…
Anna: Collagen is a protein that our bodies naturally produce. It acts as a building block, giving our skin, hair and nails their structure, elasticity, firmness. But, the rate that our bodies produce collagen starts to gradually decline from around the age of 25. This is when we start to see the early signs of ageing, for example fine lines. And on top of that natural decline, collagen production is also impacted by exposure to sun, environmental pollution and toxins such as poor diet. But it’s not all bad news – this is when your daily collagen supplement becomes your best friend.
Anna: Marine collagen is a collagen supplement derived from the skin of fish. After the fish is filleted and the skin is removed, it’s put through a process called hydrolysation, which transforms the skin into collagen peptides. The smaller the collagen peptide, the easier it is for your body to absorb. Higher absorption means it’s more effective in replenishing and restoring collagen to a deeper layer of skin, hair and nails. Which is when you start to see significant results.
Anna: Studies have noted that marine-based collagen can be absorbed 1.5 times more efficiently than other collagen sources. The key difference that sets marine collagen apart from bovine and porcine collagen is the size of the peptides. Once hydrolysed, marine collagen peptides are much smaller than collagen made from beef and pork, meaning the bioavailability is much higher.
We’re all about efficacy. We know marine collagen works and have the studies to back it up.
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"When our collagen levels decline, we begin to see the formation of fine lines, hair thinning and brittle nails. This is when COLLAGEN supplementation is so important."
Anna: Okay, let’s break this down. Once ingested, marine collagen is absorbed and distributed into the bloodstream, via the blood vessels, to a deeper layer of skin called the dermis. When you ingest hydrolysed collagen peptides, you are increasing the pool of specific amino acids that are needed by cells in the body that produce collagen. As a completely natural protein, marine collagen is an effective, non-invasive solution to visibly improve the appearance and health of skin, hair and nails.
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Anna: Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It’s responsible for giving our skin, hair, nails and joints their structure, elasticity and firmness. However, as we age collagen production starts to slow at around 25 years of age. When our collagen levels decline, we begin to see the formation of fine lines, hair thinning and brittle nails. This is when collagen supplementation is so important. By supplementing with a highly bioavailable collagen peptide powder, you are directly providing high amounts of necessary amino acids and peptides that the body needs to form collagen.
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Anna: Once you stop taking marine collagen consistently, the body’s collagen production will slowly revert back to where you were before you started supplementing.
Anna: Unfortunately, at this stage, there are no vegan or plant-based sources of collagen. Although there are products that offer rich amounts of antioxidants, which are often vegan, they don’t actually contain collagen peptides. However, clinical research has shown that Vitamin C and antioxidants can promote collagen health. Anti-G-Ox is an example of a vegan product rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, containing active ingredients like Kakadu Plum, Niacinamide, Vitamin E and Zinc.
Anna: Contrary to some of the information out there, the actual species of fish is not important for a highly effective collagen supplement. The hydrolysation process is far more important to ensure you are getting the most bioavailable form of collagen. We source our collagen from a variety of fish species to avoid placing too much demand on one species of fish. We use both wild and responsibly farmed fish suppliers and all our sources are held to the highest standards of European Regulations. Each batch of collagen is tested for heavy metals, purity and safety.
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Anna: Yes, our collagen is sustainable. We source our marine collagen from the skin of fish that are being prepared for food. During the fillet process, the skin of fish would usually be discarded as waste. We upcycle the discarded fish skin to create a high-quality hydrolysed collagen peptide powder. We also practice sustainability with our responsible fishing practices. We source our marine collagen from a variety of different species to avoid placing too much demand on one species. We purposefully use both wild-caught and responsibly farmed fish, so we don’t disrupt marine ecosystems. We are committed to finding ways to lessen our footprint as we grow. The road to a more sustainable Vida Glow is one we are transparent about and invite our community to join us on the journey.
Anna: Basically, how you choose to take it. All our collagen formulations are made with a hydrolysed marine collagen peptide powder. We have a variety of offerings to suit the specific preferences and needs of all our customers. Whether you prefer a loose powder, a pre-measured sachet solution or a super convenient pre-mixed Elixir, there’s a collagen product to suit everyone.
Anna: As with all supplements, we recommend talking to a trusted healthcare professional before taking any ingestible products.
Anna: Your supplement routine should be tailored to your specific needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to beauty. To give you a clear benchmark of your collagen needs, we recommend basing supplementation on your age. For those between 25-35 years of age, we recommend 1 serving a day. For those between 36-45 years of age, who are experiencing the first signs of ageing – fine lines, weak nails and thinner hair, we recommend 2 servings per day. For those 46 and over experiencing deeper wrinkles, very fine hair, dull complexion and brittle nails, we recommend 3 serves per day.
Anna: Yes, we don’t recommend consuming more than 10g of collagen daily. There is no clinical evidence that shows taking more than 10g per day results in higher efficacy, so why waste your collagen. Taking more than the recommended daily dose may also result in an upset stomach.
Anna: Not in the slightest. Collagen is a completely natural protein and there is no evidence showing a relationship between the two. However, if you have any concerns, please visit a healthcare professional.
Anna: Absolutely! There are no differences in the way our bodies absorb and benefit from supplementing with marine collagen.
Anna: Our natural production of collagen significantly slows in our mid-twenties, which is when we start to see the first signs of ageing. We generally recommend starting your daily collagen routine around the age of 25 to experience the full benefits of supplementation.
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