Collagen is a protein in your body that is a major component in tissues in the bones, muscles, skin, and joints. It helps make up tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Your body produces less collagen as you age, but supplementing may help. ISOPURE Collagen combines 10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen types I and III with 40 mg of undenatured type II collagen. That means it is packed with proteins that can help support healthy skin, nails, hair, bones and joints. This is good news for athletes, arthritis patients, and anyone looking to improve their well-being.

Collagen Types I and III

Portrait of charming nude senior woman touching her skin90% of collagen proteins in the body are types I and III collagen. People generally take collagen types I and III to improve bone and skin health.

Type I is found in the

  • Skin
  • Tendons
  • Organs
  • Bone

Type III is typically found alongside type I, in the

  • Skin
  • Blood vessel walls
  • Reticular fibers such as bone marrow

(Not a conclusive list.)

Because of where these collagen proteins are found, types I and III collagen can

  • Improve skin elasticity
  • Smooth wrinkles
  • Strengthen nails
  • Support healthy bones
  • Improve blood circulation
  • Thicken hair and slow hair loss
  • Promote glycine production, which helps build muscle

What is “Undenatured Type II Collagen”?

Chondroitin benefits, Physical injury, running knee pain

You may have heard of type II collagen, the collagen protein that is a major building block in the joints. But what is undenatured type II collagen (or UC-II)?

Undenatured collagen is not processed by heat or other chemicals. Recent studies have focused on the patented formula, which was first discovered by a chemical engineer using undenatured collagen from chicken sternum. It has been found by some studies to be even more effective than glucosamine and chondroitin combined.

It is especially helpful in addressing joint pain. One pilot study of subjects aged 58-78 years old demonstrated that UC-II is able to induce tolerance, “effectively reducing joint pain and swelling in [Rheumatoid arthritis] subjects.” Research indicates this is most likely because UC-II slows the production of certain enzymes that break down type II collagen, and reduce inflammation.

Collagen for Athletes

Runners tying running shoes and getting ready to runISOPURE caters to athletes, and provides a variety of protein powder drinks. But why should athletes care about collagen?

In the past, collagen has been marketed in the beauty industry. More recently, athletes have seen the benefits of collagen as well.  Just like collagen can reduce joint pain for patients with arthritis, collagen can help protect the joints of athletes. Gearpatrol quotes Elizabeth McNear, R.D., C.S.S.D., director of performance nutrition at Cal athletics, who says “Ingesting collagen peptides can dampen inflammation and reduce pain associated with degeneration of cartilage.”

If you are looking to build muscle, take collagen after a work-out when your body is repairing itself from the stress. Take it with protein-rich foods or protein supplements. Peptides by themselves won’t build muscle.

If you are not looking to bulk up and just want healthy joints, take collagen before your exercise. Take collagen with vitamin C. Studies show that this vitamin helps improve the body’s collagen synthesis.

The Bottom Line

ISOPURE Collagen is simple and easy to use. You can mix it with water or another beverage like juice, tea, or a smoothie. ISOPURE only has one collagen product currently, but also offers a wide variety of other protein drinks. You can learn more about what ISOPURE offers here.