Collagen peptides vs. collagen amino acids

Collagen is the buzzword in skincare right now. You’ve likely heard it’s great for your skin, but what’s the real difference between collagen amino acids and collagen peptides?

If you’re unsure which one to choose, you’re not alone. Let’s break down the benefits and help you decide which is best for your needs. Avea has got you covered.

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Key takeaway

  • Amino acids are the building blocks of collagen, but they also provide health benefits above and beyond collagen production.
  • Collagen supplements help in improving joint health, reducing wrinkles, fine lines and saggy skins, as well as enhancing muscle recovery and function.

What is collagen?

Collagen is a complex protein, consisting of 19 out of the 21 amino acids common to all life forms.

The main amino acids are proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline – together forming fibril-like structures with the help of vitamin C, Zinc, Copper and Manganese. 

Collagen fibrils are what allow the shape of connective tissues to be defined and maintained.

As the most abundant protein (30% of all proteins) in the human body, it is found in our digestive system, bones, teeth, muscles, skin, hair, connective tissue, and blood cells.

Digestion, exercise, and ageing deplete our amino acid stores, making optimal ingestion via diet and supplementation advisable.

Multiple clinical studies show the benefits of collagen supplementation on muscles, joints, skin, bone, tendons, and much more. Besides, it carries no adverse side effects!

Common collagen supplements consist of peptides or amino acids. Don’t worry, you don’t need a PhD in science to understand, just read on to help you get the best supplement, worth your time and money.

Primary amino acids of collagen

Amino acids are basically the building blocks of proteins. Individual amino acids have been shown to prevent muscle loss, increase energy, boost endurance and stamina, improve mood, reduce body fat percentage, enhance immune health, optimise sleep quality, and more.

Human collagen is made almost entirely of amino acids; glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, explaining the synergistic power of the 3 amino acids to make a collagen supplement effective. Together, they regulate collagen synthesis, providing the distinct glue-like structure to collagen.

  • Proline: Proline is responsible for the production of cartilage and collagen that benefit wound healing and heart health.
  • Glycine: Glycine is the second most common amino acid in humans, making up one-third of the total collagen in the body.
  • Hydroxyproline (a special amino acid made from proline and lysine): Hydroxyproline boosts collagen synthesis and also helps to maintain its structure.

Boost your collagen levels naturally

  • 100% vegan precursor: Ideal mix for vegetarians and vegans.
  • 4x more effective: Scientifically proven amino acid blend, developed with ETH Zurich scientists.
  • Backed by 1000+ studies: Bioavailable ingredients boosting and maintaining ideal collagen production.

What are collagen peptides?

Peptides are simply short chains of amino acids, essentially hydrolysed collagen that has been broken down into more digestible strands of protein. 

They are easier for your body to absorb and utilise, making them a popular choice in many collagen supplements, rather than the actual protein.

However, whilst collagen peptides are beneficial, they might not provide the full range of benefits that pure amino acids do.

Amino acid supplementation goes beyond the mere production and maintenance of collagen in your body. This is where the Avea Collagen Activator stands out.

How is the Collagen Activator is unique?

1. All in one – 100% vegan precursor

As a vegetarian or vegan, it might be challenging to get enough essential amino acids through diet alone.

Whilst collagen peptides supplements have been around for some time, most of them aren’t vegan or vegetarian friendly since manufacturers tend to extract them from bones and proteins of animals.

Our Collagen Activator changes the game as it consists of an ideal, 100% vegan mix.

2. 4x more effective than standard collagen supplements

Developed in collaboration with scientists from ETH Zurich, our collagen precursor consists of the building blocks of collagen – not peptides, but direct amino acids which are proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline.

Besides being more easily absorbed, our patent-pending ratio of amino acids has been scientifically proven to significantly activate the collagen turnover more than taking in common collagen supplements directly.

3. Ingredients backed by 1000+ scientific studies

Our carefully-chosen ingredients are highly bioavailable and work in synergy to boost collagen production and much more.

This includes benefits of a daily dose of vitamin C, one of the strongest discovered antioxidants Astaxanthin, as well as CaAKG, which is our longevity star ingredient.

collagen activator ingredients

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By Aishani Rajarai

Aishani Rajarai is a scientific writer and neuroscience enthusiast. She holds a BSc in biochemistry and cell biology, and a minor in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology. Her mission at Avea is to bring the science of longevity through blog posts, newsletters, podcasts, and social media content to the public, so people can live a healthier, longer, and happier life.

Aishani Rajarai is a scientific writer and neuroscience enthusiast. She holds a BSc in biochemistry and cell biology, and a minor in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology. Her mission at Avea is to bring the science of longevity through blog posts, newsletters, podcasts, and social media content to the public, so people can live a healthier, longer, and happier life.

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