Collagen hydrolysate: what it is and why vitamin C belongs with it

What is collagen?

Collagen is a structural protein. In the body, it is found in skin, bones, cartilage, tendons and blood vessels, among other places, and is a main component of connective tissue. Chemically, collagen consists of long chains of amino acids. Three such chains wind around each other to form a triple helix. The amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline are typical of collagen; they occur much less frequently in other proteins.

The body produces collagen itself. You take in collagen with food, for example through gelatine, bone broth or fish with skin. However, these foods are rarely on the menu in everyday life. Collagen is always of animal origin. Plant-based products with the word collagen in their name do not contain collagen, but, for example, vitamins and amino acids.

Collagen types: I, II and III

Experts distinguish between several types of collagen, which differ in the structure of the amino acid chains and in where they occur. The three best known:

• Type I is found mainly in skin, bones and tendons.
• Type II is found mainly in cartilage.
• Type III often occurs together with type I, for example in skin, blood vessels and internal organs.

For food supplements, what matters most is the form in which the collagen is present: as a hydrolysate in gram amounts or as non-hydrolysed collagen in milligram amounts. The following table shows the terms at a glance.

Collagen hydrolysate and collagen peptides

Natural collagen is a very large molecule and hardly dissolves in cold water. When collagen hydrolysate is produced, it is broken down into smaller fragments, i.e. hydrolysed. These fragments are called collagen peptides. Collagen hydrolysate and collagen peptides therefore mean the same thing, and the manufacturer uses both terms side by side. The result is a fine powder that dissolves well in cold liquid and is therefore suitable for drink powders.

Vita Collagen Complex PLUS contains 10,000 mg of collagen hydrolysate per sachet. This corresponds to 10 g per daily serving. The same amount is also contained in Vita Collagen Basic and Vita Collagen Complex Drink. When comparing products, always look at the amount per daily serving and not the amount per pack.

What is collagen UC-II®?

UC-II® is a brand name for non-hydrolysed type II collagen. Unlike with the hydrolysate, the collagen is not broken down into peptides here. It is therefore used in much smaller amounts. In Vita Collagen Complex PLUS, it is 20 mg per sachet, i.e. one five-hundredth of the amount of collagen hydrolysate. Hydrolysate and UC-II® are two different concepts and not different strengths of the same substance. The capsule products in the range contain only UC-II®, the powders collagen hydrolysate. PLUS is the only product in the range that contains both forms.

Vitamin C and collagen formation

Anyone looking into collagen quickly comes across vitamin C. There are several authorised health claims for vitamin C that relate to the body's own collagen formation:

• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.

The prerequisite for these claims is that a daily serving supplies at least 15% of the nutrient reference value. One sachet of Vita Collagen Complex PLUS contains 180 mg of vitamin C, which is 225% of the reference value. Collagen hydrolysate and vitamin C are thus combined in one glass.

By contrast, there is no authorised health claim for collagen itself. We therefore only describe collagen by type and amount and do not attribute any effect to it.

What to look out for with collagen products

The terms help when comparing different products. The following points are useful:

• Amount per daily serving: Collagen and all other ingredients should be stated individually with their amounts.
• Form: Collagen hydrolysate in grams and UC-II® in milligrams are different products and cannot be compared directly.
• Sweetening: Check whether sugar or sweeteners are contained. Collagen Complex PLUS is sugar-free and sweetened with sucralose.
• Allergens: Some collagen drinks contain glucosamine from shellfish, including Collagen Complex PLUS.
• Notes from the manufacturer: for example on the age limit or on combining it with other products that contain astaxanthin.

Other nutrients relating to connective tissue

In addition to vitamin C, Vita Collagen Complex PLUS contains other substances that are frequently mentioned in connection with connective tissue:

• Copper (0.5 mg, 50% NRV): Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.
• Manganese (2 mg, 100% NRV): Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.
• L-proline (150 mg): an amino acid that occurs in large amounts in collagen.
• Hyaluronic acid (100 mg): a long-chain sugar molecule from the group of glycosaminoglycans, which the body produces itself and which is found, for example, in skin and connective tissue.

A food supplement supplements the diet, but does not replace a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. You can find all ingredients with their amounts in the article What is in Vita Collagen Complex PLUS? and on the product page of Vita Collagen Complex PLUS. Vita Collagen Basic offers collagen hydrolysate as a powder without sweeteners.