The science behind collagen

  • Der Schriftzug „Collagen" aus Holzbuchstaben auf rosa Untergrund, darunter zwei goldene Löffel mit Kollagenpulver und Kapseln.

    The science behind collagen

    Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the human body, accounting for a significant portion of the dry mass of skin, bones, tendons, and connective tissue. As we age, the body's own collagen production measurably declines, while the breakdown of existing collagen structures continues unabated – an imbalance that manifests, among other things, in decreasing skin elasticity.

  • Abstrakte Darstellung einer Molekülstruktur in Rosé- und Goldtönen, symbolisch für den mehrfach vernetzten Aufbau von Kollagenfasern.

    Overview of collagen types I, III, and V

    Type I: accounts for around 90% of the collagen in skin, hair, and nails and is responsible for tensile strength and structure.

    Type III: frequently found together with Type I, it is, among other things, a structural component of muscles, bones, tendons, and blood vessel walls.

    Type V: present in smaller quantities, it is involved in the regulation of Type I collagen fiber thickness and is found in the cornea of the eye and parts of the gastric mucosa, among other places.
  • Profilaufnahme einer Frau mit Hand am Kinn vor rosa Hintergrund mit unscharfer Molekülgrafik, symbolisch für die Verbindung von Kollagen und Hautbild.

    Skin texture, elasticity, and the natural aging process

    Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the body's own collagen formation. The EFSA has confirmed that vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, skin, and teeth. Furthermore, several placebo-controlled, double-blind studies using orally ingested, specific collagen peptides have shown measurable effects on skin parameters such as elasticity and wrinkle depth over a period of eight to twelve weeks.

  • Frau mit geschlossenen Augen, Hand an der Wange, überlagert von einem feinen geometrischen Gitternetz als Symbol für die Struktur der Haut auf molekularer Ebene.

    Hair, nails and connective tissue

    In addition to vitamin C, biotin and zinc also contribute to the maintenance of skin, hair, and nails. The EFSA has confirmed that biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nails. Zinc, in turn, according to the EFSA, contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, normal hair, and normal nails, as well as to normal protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, and cell division – processes that are relevant for the continuous renewal of connective tissue.
  • Abstrakte blaue 3D-Darstellung vernetzter Molekülkugeln mit eingebetteten kleineren Molekülsymbolen, wissenschaftliche Visualisierung von Kollagenpeptiden.

    Why molecule size is crucial for collagen peptides

    Native collagen is a large, complex molecule that is hardly absorbable in this form. Only through enzymatic hydrolysis are short-chain peptides created, which can be absorbed through the intestinal mucosa. A portion of these peptides – in particular the dipeptides prolyl-hydroxyproline and hydroxyprolyl-glycine – has been detected intact in the blood in studies, which points to a targeted biological signaling effect on fibroblasts, rather than a purely role as a source of amino acids.

  • Nahaufnahme von Hals und Schultern einer Frau, Finger am Kinn, symbolisch für straffe, elastische Haut.

    Collagen type III and type V: more than just skin

    It is anatomically well-established that type III collagen occurs structurally in the walls of blood vessels as well as in muscles and tendons. However, this does not automatically mean that supplementation with collagen peptides has a measurable effect on cardiovascular function – such a connection has not yet been sufficiently scientifically investigated and is not approved by the EFSA as a health claim. Currently, it is primarily the structural role of both collagen types in connective tissue that is well-supported.

  • Study results

    - EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific Opinion on health claims related to vitamin C and collagen formation. EFSA Journal, 2009 → Link: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1226
    - EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific Opinion on health claims related to biotin and maintenance of normal skin, hair, nails. EFSA Journal, 2010→ Link: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1728
    - EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific Opinion on health claims related to zinc and maintenance of normal skin, hair, nails, DNA synthesis, cell division. EFSA Journal, 2010 → Link: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1819- Proksch, E. et al. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014→ Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/- Systematic review: Efficacy and safety of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin health outcomes. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition→ Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-026-01778-3
    - Distribution of Type I, III, IV and V collagen in normal human arterial wall (structural evidence for Type III). PubMed → Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3902343/


    This article is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice.