Collagen + C (Pomegranate Acai Flavor)

Collagen + Vitamin C Powder with Pomegranate and Acai combines a smooth, fruity flavor with versatile use in drinks and recipes. This finely blended powder stirs easily into water, smoothies, or juices, offering a refreshing taste with a hint of pomegranate and acai.

Convenient and shelf-stable, it’s a simple way to add variety to your daily routine. Whether mixed into beverages, yogurt, or creative recipes, this blend provides a flavorful option for those who enjoy functional pantry staples.

In recent years, the products created and information surrounding collagen, bone marrow, gelatin, and peptides have returned to the public eye like a high-speed train.

These products and information have left a convoluted mess with much confusion about how to use these foods to support optimal health properly.

In order to untangle this web of disarray, it is vital to understand some crucial fundamental information about collagen.

What exactly is collagen? 

Collagen is a protein the body produces that supports the structure and function of hair, skin, nails, cartilage, bones, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

It is the human body’s most abundant protein, representing 35% of its dry weight, comprised of 19 essential and nonessential amino acids, and composed of three chains wound into a tight helix, with each chain being 1400 amino acids long.

Collagen is primarily made up of the amino acids:

• Glycine (33% of total collagen),
• hydroxyproline and proline (22% of total collagen), and
• glutamate (derived from its precursor glutamine and an essential precursor for proline).

Bones, marrow, and connective tissue contain all the necessary materials needed to keep the structural foundation of our body strong and healthy but also a litany of amino acids. Bone broth is one of the best natural sources of collagen.

According to an article in the Journal of Gastroenterology, glutamate (Glu) is the primary gut energy source for each nutrient’s absorption and metabolism. Yet, only a trace amount of Glu reaches the general circulation.

While there are technically 28 types of collagen that differ based on molecular assembly, cell components added, and where the collagen is used in the body, there are five primary types:

• Type I makes up 90% of your body’s collagen and is densely packed to provide structure for your skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.
• Type II is found in elastic cartilage, gives cartilage strength and elasticity, and provides joint support. It supports the binding process with the help of fibronectin(A glycoprotein that plays an essential role in tissue repair) and other collagens.
• Type III is a significant extracellular matrix component found in muscles, arteries, blood vessels, and organs. Specific to tissues with large portions of elastic fibers. Type III collagen also interacts with platelets in the blood clotting cascade and is an essential signaling molecule in wound healing.
• Type IV is the primary component of basement membranes(thin layers of the extracellular matrix that form supportive structures) found in layers of your skin, forming their backbone.
• Type V is a fibrillar collagen(essential for forming collagen fibers)of types I and III collagen, optimal for the formation and quality of tissue. Type V collagen contributes to the bone matric, corneal stroma, and interstitial matrix of muscles, liver, lungs, and placenta.

What is hydrolyzed collagen?

First, it is crucial to understand that hydrolyzed collagen may go by several other names, like collagen hydrolysate and collagen peptides. Next, all collagen, by definition, is technically hydrolyzed, but there are different levels to this process (partially and fully).

For example, gelatin is partially hydrolyzed, and collagen peptides are fully hydrolyzed. Finally, hydrolyzed collagen is, by definition, a denatured protein.

Now, to correctly answer the question of what hydrolyzed collagen is, it is also essential to understand the hydrolyzation process. Hydrolyzed collagen is created through hydrolysis, a process where water molecules rupture the chemical bond. There are various methods to complete this process and produce hydrolyzed collagen.

The first can be observed by the thermal treatment of collagen above 40 degrees Celcius. Once the chains are separated, hydrolysis is carried out by the action of proteolytic enzymes resulting in hydrolyzed collagen or peptides. This end product has a low molecular weight, and its solubility and activity will vary based on the type of enzymes used in the process.

The other kind of hydrolysis is through the use of hydrochloric or phosphoric acid or an alkaline method which all produce a high salt concentration in the final product. Hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into smaller protein chains, creating peptides for easier digestion and better absorption.

What is marine collagen?

Marine collagen is a form of collagen sourced from the bones, skin, fins, and scales of fresh or saltwater fish, jellyfish, sponges, sea urchins, octopus, squid, and prawn.

According to the Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, marine source collage has advantages over a land animal source:

• High content of collagen
• Environment friendly
• Has lower body temperature than animals, thereby aiding in greater absorption
• Greater absorption due to low molecular weight.
• Less significant religious and ethical constraints
• Minor regulatory and quality control problems
• The presence of biological contaminants and toxins is almost negligible
• Low inflammatory response
• Less immunogenic
• Metabolically compatible
• Free of zoonosis such as BSE, TSE, and FMD

Type 1 collagen: The superstar of collagen from the sea

As mentioned above, type I collagen comprises 90% of your body’s collagen and is densely packed to provide structure for your skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments; this can be found in highly nourishing quantities in marine collagen. 

As a side note, type III collagen is another type of fibrillar collagen often associated with type I. Type III is thinner and present in high concentrations in the skin and blood vessels. While much more human research is needed, Marine collagen has been shown in preliminary research and some small clinical studies to support skin health.

In a clinical lab study, fish skin peptides were combined with skin-targeting antioxidants like coenzymeq10, grape-skin extract, luteolin, and selenium. They were given to volunteers for two months to examine how they affected the following.

• Skin properties (moisture, elasticity, sebum production, and biological age)
• Ultrasonic markers (epidermal/dermal thickness and acoustic density)

The markers were measured three times; Two months before treatment and before and after treatment. It was concluded that the supplement remarkably improved skin elasticity, sebum production, and dermal ultrasonic markers. It was also stated,  “Metabolic data showed a significant increase of plasma hydroxyproline and ATP storage in erythrocytes.”

Therefore, it was concluded, “A combination of MCPs with skin-targeting AOs could be an effective and safe supplement to improve skin properties without risk of oxidative damage.”

In a paper titled Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration reviewing in vitro and in vivo research on the effects of marine collagen, it is believed that marine collagen is a versatile compound and may show promise for supporting the healing of a wide range of skin injuries and a healthy aging process. This paper concluded the following.

• Marine collagen sources are more advantageous than collagen sourced from land animals. 
• Marine collagen demonstrated its ability to support the re-epithelization, vascularization, fibroblast migration, and wound healing rates of skin. 
• Marine collagen can have a potentially significant impact on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by possibly increasing bone density and mineral deposition.    

Therefore, it is believed that there should be continued investigations of marine collagen. Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration – PMC

Finally, a 12-week, triple-blind placebo study used to evaluate the efficacy of marine collagen on the skin health of women between the ages of 45 and 60 concluded the following: Fish collagen was safe, well tolerated, and supports its use for improving skin health.

Beet Juice powder

With a deliciously sweet taste, beautifully deep, vibrant red color, and crunchy texture, beets contain a treasure trove of nutrients and compounds that provides the body with a level of nourishment rarely found in a single food.

Beets are classified within the top ten foods with the highest antioxidant activity and possess many unique qualities. They not only support powerful mechanisms of action like healthy blood flow, which directly correlates with vibrant health; beets also may work as a transport system for any powerful nourishment consumed into the body.

We have heard for years how nitrates and nitrites are harmful to our health and to avoid them at all costs. Nitrates and nitrites can have positive or negative effects depending on specific factors. Substances like nitrates and nitrites are all essential precursors for producing other compounds that may positively affect human health. 

Nitrates (NO3) are formed when nitrogen is combined with oxygen and are found in vegetables like beets. Nitrates are also what gives meat a pinkish-red color. Nitrites (NO2) are a salt or ester of nitrous acid. The primary difference between the two compounds is the oxygen they possess. Nitrates contain three oxygen atoms, and nitrites contain two oxygen atoms.

Nitrates turn into nitrites during a process called Entero-Salivary Circulation with bacteria and enzymes found in the mouth and body. The body produces a large number of nitrates and secretes them in the saliva and into the digestive tract, where they function as an antimicrobial, killing bacteria like salmonella, then back to the saliva.

Nitrites are then converted into nitric oxide, which helps the body transmit arterial cells that relax the system and control cardiac rhythm supporting healthy blood pressure by dilating blood vessels which relax muscle cells.

If there is an excess amount of nitrites, it may also be converted into nitrosamides known to be carcinogenic. Nitrosamides are created when nitrates are exposed to high heat, like smoked and highly processed foods. While vegetables like beets are high in nitrates, the large amount of antioxidants is the primary reason nitrites don’t become nitrosamides. In simple terms, it may not necessarily be the nitrites and nitrates specifically that are carcinogenic but, instead, the various factors for potential conversion.

Beets: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

From a TCM perspective, beets are sweet in flavor and neutral in taste, and due to their high water content (being a fresh food), it is considered Yin (cooling) in nature. The terms cooling and heaty act as a classification system describing the effect that symptoms and characteristics of food and herbs have on the body. Beets’ primary function as a tonic food is to circulate Qi and disperse cold, nourishing the small and large intestines, liver, and heart. Because beets may support liver detoxification and nourish the heart, TCM believes they also calm the Shen, AKA the spirit. Finally, beets nourish the blood and support a resolution to what TCM calls Blood XU (A collection of symptoms that present as blood deficiency).

Pomegranate

Raw pomegranate is mainly known for its nourishing levels of antioxidants and phyto-compounds like polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins which have been studied for supporting and nourishing the body.

Flavonoids and Flavonols

Flavonoids are a group of water-soluble polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants thought to provide health benefits through cell signaling (The process when a cell responds to a substance outside the cell through signaling molecules found on the surface of that cell) and antioxidant effects.

Secondary metabolites are substances manufactured by plants that make them compete in their environment, exerting a wide range of effects on the plant itself and the surrounding living organisms, including flowing, fruit setting, signal deciduous behavior, and act as antimicrobials. Over 50,000 secondary metabolites have been discovered, and many modern medicines rely on them for their mechanism of action. There are six major subclasses of flavonoids;  Anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavanones, flavones, and isoflavones.

Flavonols are polyphenols belonging to the flavonoid family with a ketone group studied for their wide range of biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, modulating inflammation, and vasodilation). They primarily accumulate in the outer tissues (skin and leaves) of fruits and vegetables, are the building blocks of proanthocyanins (compounds that attribute to the colors of fruits and vegetables), and are most widespread in the human diet.

Punicalagin’s: A superstar compound found in pomegranates

Punicalagin is an ellagitannin (a polyphenol not absorbed into the bloodstream but instead hydrolyzed into ellagic acid) found in the peel of a pomegranate. This powerful compound has potentially proven antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-atherosclerotic nourishing traits. It may possibly inhibit inflammatory pathways and the action of toxic substances and is highly tolerated.

The connection between Vitamin C and Collagen

There is a clear connection between the compound vitamin C and its effect on collagen synthesis. Without vitamin C, the body can’t form collagen. In simple terms, it acts as a glue to bind collagen fibers together. In a preliminary in vitro study looking at the effects of vitamin C on collagen synthesis, it was discovered that; “ vitamin C plays a crucial role in the maintenance of a normal mature collagen network in humans by preventing the auto inactivation of two key enzymes in collagen biosynthesis. It was also shown that vitamin C induced a dose-dependent increase in type I collagen deposits by normal human fibroblasts.

In a systematic review performed, with the inclusion criteria of animal and human studies on vitamin C supplementation after a musculoskeletal injury specific to collagen cross-linking, collagen synthesis, and biologic healing of the bone, ligament, and tendon, the following information was found.

• Two preclinical studies evaluating fracture healing reported accelerated bone healing in the vitamin C group compared with the control group.
• Two preclinical studies on tendon healing reported a significant increase in type I collagen fibers and scar tissue formation with the vitamin C group.

Therefore, it was concluded that the preclinical studies showed that vitamin C has the potential to accelerate bone healing, increase type I collagen synthesis, and reduce oxidative stress parameters.

Tradition over Research:

Bone broth has a very long and healthy tradition in various cultures, with family recipes passed down from generation to generation. While each family has little secret ingredients they put into the recipe, the base for all bone broths is very similar. The type of bones used in each recipe(chicken, beef, fish, pork)will depend on culture and tradition. Chances were, when our parents or grandparents made these nourishing broths, they didn’t understand why using the parts and ingredients was essential. All they knew was the recipe passed down was powerful and effective, so they continued the tradition. While we know much, much is still to be learned about the potent constituents of these magical broths. Many Asian countries are known for superior longevity(specifically Okanowa, a blue zone) based on their diet and lifestyle. Both fish and fish broth are staples in the Asian diet. While there is little research on aging-supportive qualities specific to fish broth, these traditions continue.

 

Constituents in Marine Collagen include:

Protein, amino acids, collagen type l, and all

Suggested Use: Mix 4.5 level tablespoons / 1 ounce (28 grams ) with 12 ounces of cold water, skim milk, or juice and thoroughly mix in a blender, shaker, or with fork for 20-30 seconds. For best results, consume 1-2 servings daily, with one serving post-exercise. It can also be blended into your favorite smoothie.

Mixing suggestion: To make a delicious smoothie, mix with our 100% pure cacao and gelatinized maca root powder. It can also be added to coffee to make excellent high-protein coffee.

Miscellaneous Facts about our Marine Collagen

Ingredients: Fish Collagen, Pomegranate Juice Powder – Organic, Beet Root Juice Powder – Organic, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Acai Flavor, Vitamin C, Sucralose

Origin: Packaged with care in Florida, USA.