HDAA Nutrients and Collagen Production

HDAAnutrients are a great source of the major ingredients your body needs to make collagen proteins.

Everyone talks about collagen and skin, but few people realise just how important collagen is for general good health and well-being. 

What is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It is the main structural protein used to enable the proper functioning of various bodily systems. There are different forms of the protein designed for specialised functions in connective tissues, cartilage, tendons and bones as well as blood vessels, muscles and organs.

If there is insufficient collagen production in the body, it can result in a range of health problems and there can be many consequences :

• Weakened skin and connective tissues, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of skin elasticity.
• Collagen provides the structure and strength of bones, so a lack of collagen can cause bones to become brittle and fragile. This can result in a higher risk of fractures, especially in older adults.
• Collagen is an important component of joints and helps provide cushioning and support. If there is insufficient collagen production, the joints can become damaged and inflamed, leading to conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Collagen helps to maintain the integrity of the intestinal walls, so a lack of collagen can result in a permeable gut, allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream. This can result in inflammation, food sensitivities, and a range of other digestive problems.
• Collagen provides the structure and support for blood vessels, so a lack of collagen can result in weakened blood vessels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This can also result in a higher risk of stroke and heart attack.

It is important to maintain adequate collagen production in the body by eating a healthy diet. However, sometimes the body needs a little help because we run low on certain key nutrients. When this happens, the production of collagen proteins can be slowed down.

There is a huge market now for collagen supplements to help provide that boost. These supplements are based on providing collagen proteins from various sources or “hydrolysed” collagen which means that it has been broken down into smaller fragments of the original protein.  These products are marketed on the basis that "you need to eat collagen to make collagen".

When you consume these products, the proteins are digested to release their amino acids for absorption into the body – just like any other protein that you eat. So you don't actually need to eat collagen to make collagen - but you do need a good supply of the appropriate amino acids.

The alternative is to look at smart forms of supplementation that aim to directly provide the amino acids that are in high demand by the body and those that are specifically required in high proportions for collagen production. There are six of these high-demand amino acids which we call the "HDAA". These HDAA nutrients are provided in the OptimAAte product and are rapidly absorbed by the body without any need for digestion.

The HDAA in OptimAAte® can help top up your daily supply of HDAA nutrients to help support collagen production.

Smart supplementation with HDAA nutrients for collagen production

To understand the "smart supplementation" concept, let's first look at what is so special about collagen protein. Collagen has a unique structure to enable its flexibility and strength allowing it to withstand stress and support the body’s tissues. To achieve these characteristics, around one-third (33%) of the protein is made from just one type of amino acid – glycine. This means that a good supply of glycine is critical to collagen formation in the body.

During tissue growth and repair periods, such as wound healing or bone growth, the body increases its collagen production. This increase in collagen synthesis requires a corresponding increase in the availability of glycine. When the body lacks glycine, the rate of collagen synthesis is reduced, leading to a decline in collagen production and, ultimately, decreased strength and stability of the connective tissues.

The importance of glycine for collagen synthesis extends beyond just structural support. Collagen also plays a role in various metabolic processes, such as glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and fatty acid metabolism.

In addition to protein synthesis, glycine is also in very high demand for numerous metabolic functions, including nerve transmission, immune function, removal of toxic waste, production of energy systems, formation of antioxidants and formation of DNA. Not only is it highly sort after by the body for everyday functions, but it is also one of the most highly concentrated amino acids in sweat and urine. This means that we are constantly losing more of this vital amino acid than most of the other amino acids during daily exertion.   

Our body can make its own glycine, but this rate of production is capped, and often we need to take in more glycine from the diet to help make up the shortfalls experienced from running a healthy and active lifestyle.

It is also worth noting that collagen degradation is a normal part of aging and can be exacerbated by various factors, such as UV exposure, cigarette smoking, and poor nutrition. The decline in collagen production with aging can lead to a decline in skin elasticity, joint mobility, and bone density, contributing to the development of age-related health problems.

In conclusion, glycine is a crucial amino acid for collagen synthesis and is essential for the proper formation and stability of the collagen protein. It plays a role in regulating the rate of collagen synthesis and is essential for the maintenance of healthy connective tissues.

OptimAAte® provides a good supply of glycine as one of 6 high-demand amino acids (HDAA) the body needs to source daily. These amino acids are rapidly absorbed by the body without any need for digestion.

The HDAA in OptimAAte® can help top up your daily supply of glycine to help support collagen production.