A new generation of collagen supplements is here: Collagen tripeptides are the smallest version of collagen possible and said to be more easily absorbed by the body and more effective at stimulating the body’s own collagen production—but is that the case?
I may have had unrealistic expectations when I first tried with collagen supplements. After taking them for months, I expected to look 10 years younger when I looked in the mirror. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I experimented with different formulas—marine collagen, bovine collagen, collagen peptides, collagen powder, capsules, gels, and even gummies—but I still wasn’t convinced. The results were yet to live up to the promises.
Controversial in supplement form, what’s undeniable about collagen is its importance in the structure of the skin and function in our bodies. Often referred to as the skin’s “scaffolding,” collagen accounts for around 30% of the body’s total protein, supporting the skin as well as bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and other connective tissues. Yet as we get older, our natural collagen production declines from around our mid-20s. This contributes to reduced skin firmness and elasticity, the appearance of fine lines and impacts joint and connective tissue health.
With this in mind, it’s no wonder that collagen supplements have become popular. But despite their quick adoption, there is still much uncertainty about their effectiveness, absorption and whether they deliver meaningful benefits.
Enter collagen tripeptides, a newer generation of collagen supplements that have come to market and have been pegged as a more highly absorbable form. But what are they? Dermatologist Dr. Derrick Phillips explains, “Collagen tripeptides are very small fragments of collagen made up of just three amino acids. Conventional collagen peptides are also broken down forms of collagen, but contain a wider mixture of fragments of different sizes.”
But are they superior to other forms of collagen, and can they deliver more visible results? He reveals that due to their smaller size, “some can be absorbed intact through the gut, while others are broken down further into smaller dipeptides and individual amino acids.” The expert spotlights studies that have “detected both collagen-derived tripeptides and dipeptides in the bloodstream after they are consumed. There is also laboratory evidence suggesting that some of these collagen-derived peptides may influence fibroblasts, the cells in our skin that produce collagen and other structural components.”
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