What Collagen Actually Is

Collagen is a strong, rope-like structural protein that forms part of your body’s scaffolding. It’s abundant in the dermis of your skin, tendons and ligaments, cartilage and joints, bones and teeth, blood vessel walls, and the gut’s connective tissues. Together with elastin and water-holding molecules (such as proteoglycans), collagen helps tissues stay firm yet flexible.

What Collagen Does Day to Day

Skin: Collagen fibres provide tensile strength and help skin keep its shape and “bounce” as you move.

Joints & cartilage: Collagen helps resist compression and supports smooth movement.

Tendons & ligaments: It transmits force from muscle to bone.

Bone: Collagen forms the organic framework that minerals attach to, contributing to overall strength.

Vessels & gut: It supports the integrity of vessel walls and surrounding connective tissue.

Your body continually replaces old collagen through a normal process called remodelling, balancing breakdown and rebuilding.

How Your Body Makes Collagen (Simple Overview)

Specialised cells—fibroblasts in skin, chondrocytes in cartilage, osteoblasts in bone—assemble collagen from amino acids, especially glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. This assembly line relies on nutrients like vitamin C (for hydroxylation steps), adequate protein, and trace minerals. Newly made collagen is secreted, assembled outside the cell, and cross-linked for strength while other enzymes naturally break some down so it can be replaced.

Why Collagen Levels Can Change

From the mid-20s onward, collagen production generally slows. Excessive sun (UV), smoking, poor sleep, ongoing stress, and low protein intake can shift the balance toward more breakdown. High-sugar diets may increase glycation, creating stiff, poorly functioning fibres. Over time this can show up as skin that’s less firm, joints that feel the strain of activity, or tissues that don’t bounce back as quickly.

Habits That Support Your Own Collagen

• Eat enough protein across the day; include vitamin-C-rich fruit and vegetables.
• Protect skin from excess sun; avoid smoking.
• Prioritise sleep and manage stress.
• Stay active—movement helps tissues remodel in a positive way.

Where a Collagen Supplement May Fit

Hydrolysed marine collagen peptides are pre-broken into smaller fragments. After consumption, they’re digested and the resulting amino acids/peptides enter circulation. Used consistently alongside good lifestyle habits, a collagen supplement may help support your body’s natural collagen production and may help maintain healthy collagen levels over time. Think of it as convenient building blocks, not a medical treatment, and remember that responses vary from person to person.

How to Use, Safely

Choose a quality product and follow the label directions. Aim for consistency (many people add it to a morning drink). Allergen information: contains fish; may contain traces of crustaceans. If you’re pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, take prescription medicines, or follow a protein-restricted diet, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before use.

Bottom Line

Collagen is fundamental to how your skin, joints, bones, and connective tissues feel and function. Good daily habits supply the signals and nutrients your cells need, and a hydrolysed marine collagen supplement may help support your body’s own collagen-building process as part of that routine.

Important Disclaimer

This product is a dietary supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Always follow label directions and consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal advice.