Collagen Peptides and Keratin: Building Blocks for Joints, Bones, and Skin

Feeling less bounce in your step—or in your skin? Collagen peptides and keratin are two of the most powerful structural proteins your body depends on for strength, flexibility, and resilience—from your bones and joints to your skin and hair. Daily stressors, environmental factors, and the natural wear-and-tear of life can deplete them. Here’s what you need to know to fuel your body’s foundation and thrive at any age.

Collagen Vital for Repair

Your body is in a state of ongoing repair and recovery from daily activities and the bumps, falls, and exertion of life. Healthy collagen is vital for joint comfort, flexibility, and strength, bone density, glowing skin, lustrous hair, strong teeth, and just being able to keep up with weekend activities or yard work. When you are proactive and keep up with your repair needs, it pays off in the long run just like maintaining your home or car.

Types of Collagen in the Body

Collagen is the main structural protein in the connective tissues of your body. Nearly 30 types of collagens have been identified in the human body. The five most common types are Type I, II, III, IV, and V. About 90% of the collagen in your body is Type I and III.

• Type I: bones, blood vessels, internal organs, skin, ligaments, and tendons. A significant percentage of type I is made up of three amino acids—glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline—to form a triple helix that provides flexibility, plasticity, and strength.
• Type II: cartilage
• Type III: reticulate fibers that cross link together to form a fine network alongside type I.
• Type IV: forms specialized membrane layer in cells
• Type V: hair, cell surfaces, and placenta

Supplementing Collagen: Bioactive Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are small pieces of collagen broken down into smaller, low molecular weight portions for better absorption and bioactivity in your body. Bioactive peptides are used by collagen-rich tissues for repair needs.

Research shows hydrolyzed collagen peptide supplementation leads to improvement in function, comfort, and enhanced tissue recovery as metabolic repair pathways are energized. Another benefit is improvement in body composition when combined with strength training.

Additionally, hydrolyzed collagen peptide supplementation enhances skin elasticity and hydration, bone strength and density, joint mobility, functionality and comfort with age.  

Type I and III Collagen Support

The richest food sources for collagen are found in the meat and tough parts of beef and poultry, fish (skin and scales), and egg whites. Bone broth is not considered a high quality consistent source of collagen.

If these foods don’t appeal to you, or you prefer something easier and clinically relevant, consider Wellness Resources Collagen Peptides.

Wellness Resources Collagen Peptides is obtained from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows and provides 20 grams of type I and type III hydrolyzed or bioactive collagen peptides per serving – the most abundant types of collagen your body needs!

Collagen Peptides contain 8 of the 9 essential amino acids and 17 of the 20 common (essential and conditional) amino acids, making it a good complementary source of protein for a healthy diet. It is a natural source of these amino acids: alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine and valine. It does not contain tryptophan.

Collagen peptides mix well in cool or hot liquids. Many individuals prefer to add 2 scoops to their morning coffee or tea for a creamy effect or add to a protein smoothie, soups, or recipes like muffins or quick breads. It is the highest purity grass-fed collagen peptides and is lactose-free, gluten-free, soy-free, casein-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO with no sweeteners, flavoring, hormones or antibiotics.

Type II Collagen Support

Type II collagen is the preferred form to support joint cartilage. Wellness Resources JointAll contains UC-II (undenatured type-II) collagen to support joint cartilage. Research shows that UC-II signals immune cells like regulatory T cells (Treg) to activate and travel to cartilage tissues in joints where they secrete anti-inflammatory compounds and trigger repair activities.  

Clinical trials demonstrate the efficacy of UC-II for joint-cartilage support. A recent clinical trial evaluated UC-II in women aged 60-80 years. Results showed improvement in knee joint comfort, movement, flexibility and quality of life after 90 days of use. A meta-analysis study of men and women aged 52 to 73 years also showed improved outcomes with knee joint health, getting up from a chair, walking, comfort, and overall function.  

Keratin vs. Collagen

Many individuals wonder how keratin and collagen compare. Keratin is like collagen in that it is a structural protein and has high tensile strength. Keratin is primarily found in hair and nails.

Keratin’s biochemical composition is different than collagen. It is rich in amino acids alanine, cysteine, isoleucine methionine, phenylalanine, and isoleucine that wrap into a super helical structure.

Keratin helps provide the luster, strength and resilience of your hair against daily wear and tear. Collagen supports hair follicles and scalp for hair growth.

Keratin may be found in our premier formula Hair, Skin & Nails. It is combined with biotin, MSM sulfur, bamboo extract, grape seed extract, and lycopene to nourish and protect your hair, skin, and nails.

Antioxidants

Collagen works with other nutrients in your body. Vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis, repair, and antioxidant support. Vitamin C affects the strength of bones, cartilage, blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, teeth, and more.

Grape seed extract is an antioxidant well known for its protective effects with collagen. Studies show that proanthocyanidins, the bioactive compound of grape seed extract, interact with and form special bonds to type I collagen. This leads to stronger cross-linkage effects and “biostability” to the collagen tissues. This is great news for your bones, ligaments, tendons, skin, and teeth!

Additional Support

Collagen Peptides, Joint All, and Hair, Skin, & Nails may be combined with other nutrients as desired for additional tissue repair, hydration, and other antioxidant support. Repair Plus provides enzymes and antioxidants. Hyaluronic Acid enhances synovial fluid production in joints. Both products aid in repair and modulation of inflammatory compounds in collagen rich tissues.

If your joints ache and creak, your skin is sagging or crepe-like, or want to keep up with the younger generation, it is time to add some collagen support to your nutritional routine. Be proactive today to give your body the support that it needs and craves!

Additional Resources

Collagen Peptides Support Joints, Skin, and Muscle Structure and Function

The Power of Collagen Peptides: Rejuvenating Your Body Inside and Out

Type II Collagen Supports Joints and Repair

Keratin: The Key to Stronger, Healthier Hair

Injury Recovery and Soft Tissue Support

Beauty from the Inside Out: Discover Our New Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement

Vitamin C for Stress, Collagen, Immunity

Grape Seed Extract: Versatile and Valued Antioxidant