A recent study published in npj Aging explores the potential anti-aging benefits of supplementing with collagen’s key amino acids in specific ratios. The research shows that a 3:1:1 ratio of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline (Gly:Pro:Hyp) significantly extends collagen expression during aging in Caenorhabditis elegans, leading to a lifespan increase of 6% to 27%. In a human clinical trial, this amino acid combination reduced biological age by approximately 1.4 years and improved skin elasticity and radiance within three months. These findings suggest that this collagen supplementation may offer a promising approach to slowing aging and improving skin health.
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in mammals, widely present in tissues such as bones, tendons, ligaments, skin, hair, and muscles. It plays a crucial role in organ development, tissue repair, connective tissue stability, and the maintenance of skin structure. In recent years, collagen supplements have gained significant attention for their potential health and anti-aging benefits.
A recent study published in npj Aging has found that supplementing with key amino acids from collagen in specific ratios may improve age-related markers.
Key to Anti-Aging: It's All About the Ratio
Collagen is primarily composed of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, with hydroxyproline being a unique amino acid to collagen. These three amino acids form collagen’s characteristic triple-helix structure.
Previous research has shown that collagen supplementation can extend the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a species of roundworm commonly used in aging studies. To explore the key components of collagen’s anti-aging effects, the researchers conducted experiments with C. elegans.
Collagen expression in C. elegans gradually declines during aging. The researchers observed that supplementing collagen during the 2nd to 4th day of adulthood slightly increased the expression of the endogenous col-144 gene (Figure 1a). However, when the researchers fed C. elegans different doses of glycine, proline, or hydroxyproline, they found that these components did not significantly change the expression of col-144 during aging (Figures 1b-d).
In collagen's repetitive sequences, glycine must appear once every three amino acids to form a complete triple-helix structure. When the researchers adjusted the ratio of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline to 3:1:1 [3 Gly : 1 Pro : 1 Hyp], they found a significant extension in the expression of col-144 during the aging process of C. elegans (Figure 1e).
Figure 1: Supplementing with a 3:1:1 ratio of Gly:Pro:Hyp can extend the expression of endogenous collagen during aging.
To determine whether this 3:1:1 amino acid supplementation could also extend lifespan, the researchers began feeding the C. elegans this amino acid ratio from the juvenile stage onward. The results showed that even with heat-inactivated bacteria, the 3:1:1 supplement significantly extended lifespan by 6% to 27% (Figures 2f-k).
Figure 2: Supplementing with a 3:1:1 ratio of Gly:Pro:Hyp from juvenile stages can extend the lifespan of C. elegans.
Clinical Trial on Humans: Lowering Biological Age
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this specific collagen amino acid combination in humans, the research team recruited 66 volunteers who took the collagen supplement (in a 3 Gly:1 Pro:1 Hyp ratio) for six months.
The results showed that, on average, participants experienced a reduction in biological age by approximately 1.4 years. This suggests that this amino acid combination may improve physiological markers associated with aging. Additionally, participants saw improvements in skin condition within just three months, including better skin elasticity and radiance.
Figure 3: Collagen amino acid supplements can reduce biological age in humans.
Additional Benefits of Collagen
As mentioned earlier, collagen plays a wide range of roles in the human body, and its effects are not limited to anti-aging. There are three primary types of collagen that make up 80-90% of the collagen in the human body:
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Type I Collagen: The most abundant type of collagen in the body, found in adult skin, connective tissues, bones, teeth, tendons, ligaments, and organs.
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Type II Collagen: Primarily found in joint cartilage, vitreous body of the eye, and intervertebral discs.
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Type III Collagen: Predominantly found in the skin of infants, blood vessel linings, gastrointestinal tract, and muscles.
The collagen commonly used in skincare or oral beauty supplements is usually Type I and Type III, while Type II collagen is known to support joint health by increasing collagen synthesis, repairing cartilage, and improving the extracellular matrix of cartilage cells. Thus, Type II collagen is often included in products designed for bone and joint health support.
In addition to its role in skin and joint health, collagen is crucial for wound healing, blood vessel elasticity, and supporting the function of muscles and connective tissues.
The Future of Collagen
In recent years, collagen has gained widespread attention for its potential health benefits. As early as 2021, with the rise of the "oral beauty" trend, collagen became a highly popular product.
Thanks to policy guidance and market education, collagen has become one of the most recognized "anti-aging ingredients" among consumers, with enormous market potential. According to data from Straits Research, the global collagen market is expected to reach a size of approximately $9.4 billion by 2024, with projections to grow to $16 billion by 2033.
With such a large market, the applications for collagen are also diverse. Collagen supplements in powder, capsule, or liquid form are becoming increasingly popular as they are more easily absorbed by the body. These supplements, often provided in hydrolyzed collagen form, have become a common choice among consumers. In addition to the health and dietary supplement market, collagen is also widely used in the skincare industry.
Applications:
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Dietary Supplements:
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Solid/Powder supplements
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Liquid supplements
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Food and Beverages:
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Drinks
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Jellies
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Skincare Products:
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Face masks
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Face creams
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References:
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A collagen amino acid composition supplementation reduces biological age in humans and increases health and lifespan in vivo