Protein of the Gods - Collagen Plus

The body's ability to digest nutrients is essential. A poor gut biome can lead to chronic health conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Digestive function, gut lining formation, anti-inflammation, and gut microbiome are supported by many mechanisms that involve glycine, proline, and glutamic acid, which are all present in Protein of the Gods: Collagen +.

Glutamic Acid and Glycine play a huge role in digestion. They act as neurotransmitters and can enhance the release of digestive acids, aiding in the breakdown of nutrients while also modulating intestinal inflammation. 

Studies have shown that collagen also feeds certain gut bacteria by providing substrate for butyrate (a short-chain fatty acid that is beneficial for gut bacteria), which ensures healthy stability and aids in overall gut health. 

Protein of the Gods: Collagen + contains ample glycine, which has been studied for its potential to improve sleep due to its role in the nervous system. Glycine may help lower the body's core temperature, which is significant because a slight decrease in core temperature is a vital physiological response that prepares your body for sleep. Glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which calms the brain, promotes relaxation, and assists in regulating the Circadian Rhythm (natural sleep and wake cycles).

Collagen provides the skin with structure and elasticity. It is also a huge component in nails and supports hair health by improving the collagenous sheath that surrounds hair follicles.

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles. Studies have shown that taking a collagen supplement can 'slow' skin aging by promoting the production of other proteins such as elastin and fibrillin. Further meta-analysis submitted to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that daily oral collagen supplementation leads to increased growth and improved brittleness of nails. While there is less direct research on collagen's effect on the hair itself, it is known that hair follicles are surrounded by a collagenous sheath that provides healthy environments and nutrient delivery to the hair, and over time, the collagen in those areas decreases, leading to poor hair health and supplementation can combat this.

Joint pain is often caused by degeneration of cartilage, the flexible tissue that cushions joints and prevents bones from rubbing together. A key component of cartilage and joints is collagen. Collagen supplements (particularly hydrolysed) have been proven to help treat joint pain as they help provide the collagen required to maintain or improve the health of the cartilage and joints.

Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen Peptides (HCP) coupled with resistance training have shown in a plentiful amount of studies to increase lean muscle accrual; it does so by increasing creatine synthesis, providing essential amino acids, repairing muscle tissue and stimulating muscle protein synthesis. HCP is rich in several amino acids such as glycine, proline and hydroxyproline and has been shown to boost the production of other proteins that play a role in muscle growth and repair via maintaining healthier nitrogen balances, triggering the body's anabolic pathways. Although HCP is low in Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's), they are not the only 3 required for optimal muscle protein synthesis. 

Bones, ligaments, and tendons are roughly 80-90% collagen. 

Bones comprise a matrix of collagen that provides a mesh for mineralised calcium and phosphates to embed themselves into, providing strength and a more substantial structure. However, they are constantly being broken down and rebuilt via bone remodelling. Over time, collagen decreases and gets lost during the bone remodelling phase. Supplementation can assist in re-entering collagen for new bone formation/ remodelling and help slow the loss.

Ligaments and Tendons are composed of collagen. When they become damaged, the body produces collagen to repair the damage. Supplementation thus assists with providing the body with further collagen that can then be utilised for bones, tendons, and ligaments.

Protein of the Gods, Collagen +, contains all three components to synthesise creatine. Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen Peptides (HCP) are high in the 2 significant components, glycine and arginine, and the other methionine (which is present, however not in large dosage). The process begins in the kidneys, where arginine and glycine combine in a reaction catalysed by the enzyme Arginine: Glycine Amidinotransferase (AGAT) to form guanidinoacetate, which then travels to the liver and combines with methionine catalysed by the enzyme Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT), to form creatine.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body; it is a significant component and equates to 25-30% of whole-body protein content. As we age, the natural collagen within our body decreases, leading to a decrease in muscle strength and mass; this gradual process is called 'sarcopenia'. This significantly affects type II fast twitch muscle fibres responsible for quick and explosive movements. Supplementation of collagen, specifically Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen Peptides (HCP), along with resistance training, has been proven to help mitigate sarcopenia. HCP is rich in the amino acids glycine and proline, which are needed to produce new collagen within the body and contribute to maintaining and increasing muscle mass and strength.