At Pura Collagen we pride ourselves on producing collagen supplements made from the finest high-quality ingredients. Alongside our Bioactive Collagen Peptides®, you’ll find a carefully curated range of supporting nutrients designed to enhance the specific effects of the product. Let’s explore the science behind these ingredients in each of our collagen blends.

What is Collagen Made Of?

Collagen is a type of protein and proteins are made up of chains of amino acids. When we eat protein-rich foods, the digestive system breaks down large protein molecules into smaller peptides (a chain of amino acids) and then further down into individual amino acids. These amino acids are used to support lots of different functions in the body, from immunity and mental wellbeing to joint health and skin structure. The Bioactive Collagen Peptides® in Pura Collagen are easily digested small chains of specific amino acids proven to work in certain areas of the body: Flex+: The FORTIGEL® and TENDOFORTE® collagen peptides activate the metabolism of collagen-rich cells in tendons and joints, helping to strengthen these tissues and enhance recovery from injury. Glow+: The VERISOL® collagen peptides support healthy skin and hair, helping to reduce wrinkles and enhance collagen production. Sleep: The PEPTIPLUS® hydrolysed peptides aid healing and recovery during sleep. Protect: Contains the IMMUPEPT™ collagen peptides proven to help regulate an effective immune response. Collagen is emerging as a vital factor for immune health, partly through its role in bone formation. Immune cells originate in bone marrow which is dependent on a healthy collagen-rich bone structure. In addition, immune cells are found in various areas of connective tissue such as the gut lining and mucous membranes, which have a high collagen content. What Else Do We Use? To enhance the actions of our Bioactive Collagen Peptides® we use selected vitamins, trace minerals, and other amino acids:

Vitamin C

Found in flex+, glow+ and protect, vitamin C aids collagen formation in connective tissues and provides cellular antioxidant protection. It plays a key role in wound healing, recovery from injury and in immune cell production and function. Vitamin C is needed to produce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline and for managing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Our requirement for it increases during times of stress – whether that’s physical, mental, or emotional stress. Humans (and guinea pigs!) are unable to manufacture their own vitamin C and must rely on food and supplement sources to meet demands.

Vitamin D3

Research over the past decade has revealed how vitamin D is needed for much more than just bone health. It’s now known that vitamin D has immune-modulating effects, supports cardiovascular health, and helps regulate inflammation in the body. Between October and April the sun’s UVB rays are not strong enough to stimulate vitamin D production in our skin, which means we rely on summer sunshine for doing it for us. Thanks to our not-very-sunny British summers, vitamin D deficiency is common in the UK. The risk of deficiency is also higher in people with darker skin, who are housebound or who cover up when outdoors. Vitamin D3 is found in only a few foods: butter, liver, oily fish, and egg yolk are the main sources. Supplementation is recommended for all adults and children during winter and many people need to take it all year round. You’ll find 10ug (100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance) in both glow+ and protect, to support skin health and immune function.

Other Trace Ingredients in Collagen Powder

Trace minerals are found in tiny amounts in the body but are needed for hundreds of different functions, but even in their trace amounts, they are still beneficial collagen powder ingredients. Metallic minerals like zinc are utilised as enzyme co-factors, enabling biochemical reactions to take place in pathways throughout the body. We opt for citrate forms of minerals for their excellent absorption and bioavailability. Zinc: This is needed for immune function, skin health and for mental wellbeing and hormone production – including serotonin, the ‘happy hormone’ and melatonin, the sleep hormone. We add zinc citrate to glow+, protect, and sleep. Magnesium: This works alongside zinc to produce melatonin and serotonin and is needed for smooth muscle relaxation. We use magnesium citrate in our Sleep product to aid relaxation and deep, restful sleep. Manganese: This aids collagen formation and bone development, making it an important ingredient in the Flex+ formulation that stimulates collagen production in joint tissues. Selenium: This is a vital cofactor for producing glutathione peroxidase, one of the most important antioxidant enzymes in the body. It plays a key role in immune health and protecting cells from free radical damage. Skin is prone to free radical damage from sun exposure, which is why we include selenium in glow+. Iron: This is needed for collagen synthesis, healthy immune function and for transporting oxygen around the body in haemoglobin. We include it in our protect formula to support strong immunity and aid collagen production.

Methylated B12

Vitamin B12 comes in several different forms, some manmade and others naturally derived. The methylcobalamin in our protect blend is the natural form of active B12 found in foods. It is needed for a healthy nervous system and immune response. Low levels of B12 can impair immune cell function and protein synthesis.

Biotin

Biotin is part of the B-vitamin family involved in protein synthesis for hair and nail formation. It works alongside the collagen peptides, vitamins C and D, selenium, zinc and hyaluronic acid in our glow+ formula for healthy hair, skin and nails.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is the perfect accompaniment to the bioactive collagen peptides in glow+. It’s a type of polysaccharide (complex sugar molecule) that acts as a humectant to trap water in connective tissues. This helps to diminish wrinkles and give skin a plump, smooth feel.

Amino Acids – l-theanine, 5-HTP

Our sleep blend includes l-theanine, glycine and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Both glycine and l-theanine have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression and improve sleep quality. 5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin, the mood enhancing neurotransmitter, which is further converted in the brain to become melatonin, the sleep hormone.

What Does All of This Mean?

Each of the ingredients in our Pura Collagen blends has been chosen for its unique activity and scientific backing. There are no additives, colourants, unnecessary fillers or artificial sweeteners – even in our flavoured blends. This means that you can trust our products to deliver their targeted health benefits and support your health and wellbeing. For more information on collagen itself, such as how collagen peptides are made, have a look at our blog, ‘What is Collagen and How Does it Work?’. You can get started on your own collagen journey with glow+, flex+, protect and sleep, all available in the Pura shop.