Understand what you take.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It forms the structure of skin, hair, nails, joints, tendons and blood vessels, literally holding the body together. After the age of 25 the body’s own production gradually declines, which shows in skin firmness and elasticity.

Marine collagen is sourced from the skin and scales of sea fish. Compared with bovine or porcine collagen it has smaller molecules and a structure closer to our own, so it absorbs better. collalloc uses 100% marine collagen from North Sea fish.

collalloc collagen →

Hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides, is collagen broken down into short chains of amino acids. Hydrolysis shrinks the molecules enough to cross the gut wall and reach the bloodstream. That is why a hydrolysate absorbs far better than non-hydrolyzed collagen or gelatine.

Bioactive collagen is a hydrolysate whose peptides are of such low molecular weight that the body can use them directly as a building signal for its own collagen production. At collalloc these are 500 Da peptides with a clinically measured absorption of 95%.

collalloc collagen →

There are over 28 types of collagen; three matter most for the body. Type I forms skin, hair, nails and bone, type II is in joint cartilage, and type III accompanies type I in blood vessels and muscle. collalloc collagen contains types I, II and III in a ratio of 80 / 19.5 / 0.5%.

Types and sources of collagen →

A tripeptide is the smallest functional chain of collagen, three amino acids joined together, typically glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. The body absorbs it almost completely. The TRIPEPTIDE® technology delivers a high share of these shortest, best-absorbed peptides.

collalloc collagen →

Gelatine is made by partially breaking collagen down through cooking; a collagen hydrolysate goes a step further and splits it into even smaller peptides. Gelatine sets in warm water and absorbs poorly, while a hydrolysate dissolves even in cold water and is taken up far better. For supplementation, hydrolyzed collagen is the better choice.

collalloc collagen →

Bovine and porcine (land-animal) collagen comes from the skins and bones of mammals. It tends to be cheaper, but has larger molecules and usually absorbs less well than marine collagen. It can also be unsuitable for dietary or religious reasons. That is why collalloc relies on marine collagen.

True vegan collagen does not exist; collagen is an animal protein. Products labelled “vegan collagen” are so-called boosters: blends of vitamins and amino acids meant to support your own collagen production, but containing no collagen itself. It is worth knowing this when comparing products.

Does vegan collagen exist? →

Collagen banking is the trend of starting collagen supplementation preventively earlier, typically around thirty, instead of waiting for the decline to show. The idea is to “save up” and support production while it is still strong. It is based on the fact that your own collagen production declines from the age of 25.

Collagen banking →

Collagen has a characteristic triple-helix structure: three intertwined chains of amino acids coiled into a spiral. This structure gives it the tensile strength the body needs in skin, tendons and blood vessels. It is held together mainly by glycine and hydroxyproline.

Elastin is a protein that gives skin and tissues elasticity, the ability to return to their original shape. It pairs with collagen: collagen holds structure and firmness, elastin provides elasticity. Both decline with age, which is why skin loses its tone.

Keratin is a structural protein that makes up hair, nails and the outer layer of skin. The body builds it partly from the amino acids that collagen also supplies. That is why collagen is often linked to stronger hair and nails.

Functional mushrooms are edible mushrooms containing compounds that support specific body functions, from focus to immunity. They are not psychoactive. collalloc MIND contains four: Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga and Maitake.

collalloc MIND →

Lion’s Mane is a functional mushroom associated with support for focus, memory and the nervous system. It is often called the “mushroom for the brain”. It is one of the four mushrooms in collalloc MIND.

collalloc MIND →

Cordyceps is a functional mushroom traditionally associated with physical energy, performance and endurance, without caffeine. It is popular with athletes. In collalloc MIND it represents the energy pillar.

collalloc MIND →

Chaga is a functional mushroom that grows on birch trees, rich in antioxidants and beta-glucans. It is traditionally associated with immune support and calm. It is one of the four mushrooms in collalloc MIND.

collalloc MIND →

Maitake is an edible functional mushroom high in beta-glucans, associated with immune support and metabolic balance. It complements the trio of Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps and Chaga in collalloc MIND.

collalloc MIND →

Beta-glucans are natural polysaccharides from the cell walls of mushrooms, to which much of their effect on immunity is tied. Their content is one of the markers of mushroom-extract quality.

collalloc MIND →

Adaptogens are substances that help the body cope with stress and return to balance. Nootropics support cognitive functions such as focus and memory. Some functional mushrooms, like Lion’s Mane, belong to both groups.

With mushroom supplements, what they are made from matters: the fruiting body (the mushroom itself) or mycelium (grown on grain). The fruiting body contains more active compounds, especially beta-glucans. When choosing, it pays to look at the source and the beta-glucan content.

Dual extraction is a way of processing mushrooms in which the active compounds are drawn out separately with hot water and with alcohol. Water yields beta-glucans, alcohol the fat-soluble compounds such as triterpenes. The resulting extract is more complete than with a single method.

Antioxidants are compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress, one of the factors in skin ageing. A rich natural source is the Chaga mushroom, for example. For the skin, antioxidant protection and collagen production complement each other.

collalloc MIND →

Bioavailability is the share of an ingested substance the body actually delivers into circulation and uses. For collagen it is mostly decided by molecular weight: the smaller the peptides, the more easily they cross the gut wall. collalloc’s 500 Da marine collagen has a clinically measured absorption of 95%.

collalloc collagen →

For collagen, molecular weight is given in daltons (Da) and tells you how large its peptides are. The lower the number, the smaller the molecules and the better the absorption. 500 Da is among the lowest values on the market; common hydrolysates are 2000 to 5000 Da.

collalloc collagen →

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Collagen is exceptionally rich in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, the very ones the body uses to build its own connective tissue. After hydrolysis they are released in a form the body takes up easily.

Hydroxyproline is an amino acid found almost exclusively in collagen. It stabilizes its triple-helix structure and in blood serves as the marker used to measure collagen absorption. Its presence distinguishes collagen from ordinary proteins.

Collagen synthesis is the process by which the body makes its own collagen in fibroblasts. It needs building blocks, the amino acids from collagen, and cofactors, above all vitamin C. That is why collagen and vitamin C are best taken together.

collalloc Vitamin C →

Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for making the body’s own collagen; without it collagen cannot be produced fully. That is why it makes sense to supplement collagen and vitamin C together. collalloc offers pure vitamin C powder with no additives.

collalloc Vitamin C →

A food supplement is a concentrated source of nutrients meant to complement a normal diet, not to treat illness. It does not replace a varied diet. All collalloc products are food supplements made in Brno with no fillers or sweeteners.

collalloc products →

Hydrolysis is the process in which large collagen molecules are split into short peptides using water and enzymes. It is what produces hydrolyzed collagen, which absorbs well. collalloc has its collagen hydrolyzed by a Swiss partner using TRIPEPTIDE® technology.

collalloc collagen →

Fibroblasts are cells in the dermis, the lower layer of skin, that produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. When they receive a building signal in the form of collagen peptides, production can be kick-started. With age, however, fibroblasts work more slowly.

A clinically measured figure means the value was verified in a controlled human study, not just estimated or assumed from theory. At collalloc this applies, for example, to the 95% absorption. It is the difference from claims with no evidence.

Synergy means two substances work better together than each on its own. An example is collagen with vitamin C, which is needed to produce it, or collagen combined with functional mushrooms. That is why some products are best taken together.

High temperature denatures collagen, unravelling its structure and possibly reducing the effect. That is why a collagen drink is mixed into lukewarm or cold water, up to roughly 60 °C, never boiling. collalloc collagen dissolves even in cold water, so you lose nothing.

Collagen and temperature →

Dosage tells you how much active substance is in one serving. For collagen the daily dose is measured in grams; collalloc provides 3,300 mg of pure collagen per sachet. More important than the size of the dose, though, are absorption and consistency.

collalloc collagen →

Collagen is not a one-off: skin, hair and nails renew over weeks, so the effect shows only with consistent use. First results are usually visible from 4 weeks, and the recommended course is at least 60 days. Skipping doses weakens the effect.

collalloc collagen →