Collagen Types: Choosing The Collagen That’s Right For You
Understanding Collagen and Its Importance
Collagen is more than just a buzzword in wellness circles; it’s a powerhouse protein that impacts the body’s strength, flexibility, and resilience. Accounting for nearly one-third of your body’s protein, it plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin, robust bones, flexible joints, and much more.
The increase in collagen supplementation isn’t a fleeting trend. For women over 40 in particular navigating life changes such as perimenopause and menopause, collagen is a crucial ally to regain vitality, improve skin elasticity, and support joint and bone health. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
What is Collagen?
At its core, collagen acts as the scaffolding of your body. Found in skin, muscles, bones, tendons, and connective tissues, it provides structure and strength to ensure flexibility and durability.
Here’s the overview:
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Skin - Collagen keeps your skin smooth and firm.
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Bones and Joints - Promotes bone density and joint flexibility.
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Hair and Nails - Enhances strength and improves growth.
The body produces collagen naturally, but once you hit your mid-20s, collagen production begins to decline by about 1% per year. This decline accelerates significantly during menopause, leading to wrinkles, joint aches, and weaker bones—which is why many women turn to supplementation.
Exploring Collagen Types
There are 28 different kinds of collagen currently identified by the experts, yet three main types dominate your body.
Type I
The most abundant collagen type, Type I forms the structure of skin, bones, tendons, and teeth. It’s the collagen behind youthful skin and resilient bones, making it an essential focus for women over 40.
Type II
This type is a cartilage champion, supporting joint health and easing stiffness. It is especially beneficial for those experiencing joint pain during menopause.
Type III
Often found alongside Type I, Type III supports muscles, blood vessels, and organ health. It contributes to skin hydration and elasticity, helping combat dryness associated with ageing.
Understanding which collagen type caters to your specific needs is key to maximising its impact.
The Benefits of Collagen for Women Over 40
When collagen production slows down, the effects are more than skin deep. However, supplementing collagen introduces several advantages, especially when paired with complementary vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin D.
Skin Elasticity and Hydration
Collagen helps restore skin by increasing firmness and battling the fine lines and dryness linked to menopause.
Joint Relief
Collagen supplementation can alleviate joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, promoting overall joint health.
Improved Bone Density
Collagen works to support bone strength and reduce the risk of fractures, a key concern for women during menopause.
Hair and Nail Strength
Say goodbye to brittle nails and weak hair! Collagen helps reinforce keratin, resulting in shinier hair and stronger nails.
Optimised Gut Health
For women experiencing digestive changes during menopause, collagen can support a healthy gut lining.
Boosting Collagen Through Nutrition
Did you know certain foods can naturally enhance collagen production? Adding these to your diet can support your body’s efforts to restore collagen levels, especially when combined with Vitamin C for synthesis. Consider also adding into your diet collagen rich food sources to assist with additional collagen production.
Top Food Sources of Collagen
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Bone Broth - Often touted as a collagen superfood. It's made from simmering animal bones.
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Chicken - Particularly rich in Type I and Type III collagen.
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Fish - Especially fish skin, which contains Type I marine collagen.
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Leafy Greens and Berries - Provide essential antioxidants and Vitamin C to aid collagen synthesis.
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Egg Whites - High in proline, an amino acid vital for collagen production.
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Berries - Along with citrus fruits, berries contain Vitamin C but are also rich in antioxidants to help protect your cells from oxidative stress.
Enjoy these foods in combination with collagen supplements for maximum benefits.
Introduction to Collagen Supplements
Because natural collagen production slows with age, supplements are a fantastic way to fill the gap. In fact, collagen production decreases from as early as 25 onwards at a rate of 1-2% collagen depletion per year. Popular types of collagen include bovine, marine, porcine, and what's referred to as plant-based collagen alternatives. Hydrolysed collagen powders are the most bioavailable due to their easy absorption properties and hence more widely popular and available.
How to Choose the Best Collagen Supplement for Women Over 40
When selecting collagen, consider the following factors to ensure optimal results:
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Source - For anti-ageing benefits, marine collagen rich in Type I is ideal. For joint health, bovine collagen combines Types I and III effectively. Enough collagen contains types I and III delivering a broad spectrum of benefits.
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High-Quality Ingredients - Choose products like Swiss bovine collagen powder that are additive-free and third-party tested for purity.
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Fortified with Vitamins - Look for collagen blended with Vitamin C or Vitamin D for enhanced absorption.
💡 Pro Tip: Supplements like Enough Wellness Collagen Powder provide a single-source solution that combines hydrolysed collagen with the added benefits of being unflavoured, making it seamless to blend into your favourite drinks.
What are the different ways to take collagen supplements?
Wondering how to add collagen to your routine? The good news is, there are plenty of easy and convenient options to choose from, including Enough Wellness high-strength collagen powder. Here’s a quick breakdown:
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Powders: Collagen powders are super versatile. You can mix them into smoothies, coffee, water, or even your favourite recipes. They come in both flavoured and unflavoured options, so you can pick what works best for you.
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Tablets and capsules: If you’re always on the go, tablets or capsules are a great option. They’re quick, easy, and mess-free—just pop them in your bag and you’re good to go.
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Gummies: Collagen gummies are a fun and tasty way to get your daily dose. They often come packed with extra nutrients like vitamins and minerals, making them a double win.
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Liquid collagen: Looking for something fast and efficient? Liquid collagen can be taken on its own or added to your drink of choice. It’s absorbed quickly by your body, giving you a speedy collagen boost.
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Collagen creams and oils: These are applied directly to your skin and are a staple in many skincare routines. They can help improve skin texture, hydration, and elasticity, making them a go-to for targeting fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness.
Now, what’s the best form of collagen for you? While topical products are great for skin health, oral collagen supplements tend to be the most effective for overall benefits. When selecting a collagen product, opt for high-quality options that are free from unnecessary additives. Consider things like the collagen source (bovine or marine), the type (I, II, or III), and whether it includes ingredients like vitamin C to boost absorption.
Ultimately, it’s all about finding a form that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle while giving your body the collagen support it needs!
How Much Collagen Should You Take?
The recommended daily dose typically ranges from 2.5 g to 10 g per day and more if you are 60+ and concerned with joint health. For enhanced benefits during perimenopause, aim for the higher end of the spectrum and ensure consistent use for at least 8–12 weeks to see noticeable improvements. We have formulated our Enough Wellness high-strength Swiss bovine collagen powder with the optimal daily dose of 10 g per serving to deliver comprehensive benefits that you will see and feel.
Addressing Common Concerns and Side Effects
Collagen is generally safe for most people. However, as with any supplement, there are precautions to bear in mind:
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Allergies - If you’re allergic to fish or shellfish, avoid marine collagen.
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Digestive Discomfort - Some may experience mild bloating or nausea initially. Try splitting the dose or consuming it with food.
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Consistency Matters - Collagen works best with daily intake, not occasional use.
For women on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or other medications, consult your GP to ensure a safe introduction of collagen supplements into your routine.
Collagen Myths Debunked
Myth 1: Topical collagen creams work like ingestible supplements.
Truth - Collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin barrier. Oral collagen supplements directly impact collagen production from within.
Myth 2: Plant-based collagen is the same as animal-sourced collagen.
Truth - Plant-based options support collagen synthesis but don’t contain collagen itself. Marine or bovine sources remain more effective for skin and joint health.
Start Your Collagen Journey
Collagen isn’t just about beauty; it’s about empowering wellness at every stage of life and suitable for women (and men) to take from the age of 25 onwards. For women over 40, incorporating high-quality collagen supplements into their daily routine can promote vitality, boost confidence, and bridge the gap between health and ageing.
If you’re ready to take the next step, shop Enough Collagen today