The basics
What is collagen?
Collagen is one of the central structural components in hair, skin, nails, joints, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bones, arteries, veins, muscles and the digestive tract.
Our bodies produce it naturally and it’s the single most abundant protein we have, making it essential to our overall well-being. A steady production of collagen is integral to providing strength and structure for firm skin, healthy hair and strong nails.
Its regenerative properties support and enhance the health of our bones, joints, cartlidge, tendons and ligaments. Its reparative properties support gut and vascular health.
Does it have a smell and taste?
Be Bright’s collagen is a 100% natural product, and mild natural variations do occur in colour and texture.
Be Bright's collagen has not been neutralised, masked or flavoured in anyway. The powder itself is tasteless, though some customers note a slight smell. Some customers find it no problem at all, while others find that it takes some getting used to.
Everyone agrees that stirring it into a cup of coffee or including in their daily smoothie disguises it completely. We encourage you to keep it up to enjoy all the benefits and results you’ll get from Be Bright’s collagen!
When will I start experiencing benefits?
Some customers experience benefits within 2-3 weeks. Other take up to 12 weeks. It is entirely dependent on your age, the degree to which your collagen structures have been compromised and your current lifestyle.
Is it organic?
Our collagen is sourced from the finest Argentinian beef to ensure premium quality. However, it is not certified organic.
Is the collagen halal/halaal?
Yes, it is halal. It is certified at source.
Can vegans and vegetarians use it?
No. Collagen is an animal product, so it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Can my kids take collagen?
Collagen is safe, so long as they do not have a beef allergy and we always recommend speaking with your paediatrician before starting your children on any new supplement as nutritional needs vary.
The facts
Can my body even absorb collagen?
Yes. Once hydrolysed, the collagen is highly bio-available in the form of peptides, meaning your body can absorb it quickly and easily.
What does hydrolysed mean?
Hydrolyzed means that the long amino acid chains that form collagen have been broken down via an enzymatic process into peptides, making it readily available for absorption through the gut.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Once the collagen has been hydrolysed, the long amino acids (which are too large for the body to absorb properly) are broken down into collagen peptides which are easy for the gut to absorb.
What is an amino acid?
An amino acid is a simple organic compound. Amino acids bond together to make long chains. These long chains of amino acids are also called proteins, and collagen is a protein.
What are the important amino acids that I am going to get from Be Bright’s collagen?
The most important amino acids that you are going to get from Be Bright’s hydrolysed collagen powder are proline, glycine, hydroxyproline, glutamic acid and alanine. The high concentration of these amino acids is what your body uses to build and repair collagen structures.
Doesn’t my body produce all the amino acids that I need?
There are 20 amino acids in total. The human body can produce 10 of them, namely:
• Alanine
• Asparagine
• Aspartic acid
• Cysteine
• Glutamic acid
• Glutamine
• Glycine
• Proline
• Serine
• Tyrosine
The balance we need to get from our diet.
Why do I need to take a collagen supplement if my body already produces collagen naturally?
Because your body is producing less and less of it naturally. No one can deny the aging process, be it in the development of fine lines and wrinkles, weakened nails and hair, aching bones and joints or issues in the digestive tract. All of these are evidence of slowing collagen production in your body.
Collagen is the main structural protein in various connective tissues in the body. As the main component of connective tissue, it is the most abundant protein in mammals and makes up 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content. Collagen is made up of amino acids wound together to form triple-helixes of elongated fibrils. It is primarily found in fibrous tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and skin.
Collagen tissues can be rigid (bone), compliant (tendon), or have a gradient from rigid to compliant (cartilage). Collagen is also abundant in blood vessels, the gut and digestive tract, corneas, intervertebral discs, and the dentin in teeth. A fibroblast is the most common cell that creates collagen. Collagen has many medical uses in treating complications of the bones and skin. Collagen dressings are often used to help heal wounds by attracting new skin cells to the wound site and providing a platform for new tissue growth.
Collagen benefits
How does collagen improve hair growth
Collagen is rich in amino acids that your body needs to build keratin, the protein that makes up hair.
Hair follicles can be damaged by free radicals. Collagen may act as an antioxidant that can fight free radicals and prevent hair damage.
Since collagen protects the layer of skin that contains hair roots, it may help prevent age-related hair loss and thinning.
Will Collagen make my nails stronger?
Studies have found that taking Collagen daily can boost the growth of fingernails by 12% and reduce breakages of nails by up to 42%.
Can I exercise/train while taking collagen?
Absolutely! As a pure protein it is provides the building blocks your muscles need to grow and strengthen.
Will taking collagen powder help my teeth?
Collagen is found in both our teeth and in the connective tissue that keeps our teeth in place in our gums and jaw. In the actual teeth, collagen assists in hardening and stabilising them. Collagen is also vital for maintaining bone density, which is vital for healthy teeth.
Can collagen make me put on weight?
Collagen is protein, so no, it should not make you put on weight. You may find that it suppresses your appetite after consumption because of it being a protein.
How to use
What time of the day must I take it?
Taking it on an empty stomach is ideal, but not critical. It can be enjoyed at any time of day.
How much collagen is there per serving?
Each serving of Be Bright’s pure collagen is 100% pure collagen. The minimum recommended daily serving is 10grams (10 000mg's) which equates to one heaped tablespoon a day.
What happens if I take more than the minimum recommended daily dosage?
There are no known risks, but there is no reason to be taking more than a maximum of 25g – 30g’s per day.
Do I need to change my diet in any other way while taking collagen?
No.
Can I take it if I’m diabetic?
Collagen is a protein. We recommend that you consult your primary healthcare provider to ascertain its suitability in your diet before starting to use it.
Can I take collagen if I am asthmatic?
Please consult your primary health care provider before commencing use of collagen.
Will heat negatively impact the collagen and its effectiveness?
No, Be Bright’s collagen is heat stable so it can be used in hot or cold liquids with no risk of compromising any of its qualities.
Why powder and not capsules?
Quantity. To get the 10g’s / 10 000mg’s of pure collagen powder in tablet form, you will need to take in excess of 10 capsules per day.
Collagen powder clumping when you’re stirring it into cold liquid?
If you find your powder is clumping when adding it to something cold, we suggest that you first stir it into a little bit of room temperature /warm water or whisk until completely dissolved, and then add it to your desired drink.
Is it safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There are no contra-indications with pregnancy or breastfeeding, but we always recommended you drop your primary medical practitioner a line to check before you introduce it to your diet. Our bodies, pregnancies and nutritional requirements vary.
Is it normal that it makes me feel full?
Yes. Collagen is a protein, so a healthy serving of it can fill you up.
Other questions
Collagen vs whey protein?
One isn’t necessarily better than the other, they just serve different purposes in the body. Whey protein is derived from milk, while collagen protein comes from the bones, skins, and cartilage of animals. Each protein you consume has different amino acids, which are the building blocks of the protein. Since collagen and whey protein are derived from different sources, they contain different amino acid profiles, which gives them different functions in our body.
Whey protein is complete protein that is fast digesting and is great for building muscle. It is typically used before or after exercise. BCAAs are the primary amino acids that your body needs for muscle synthesis. Proteins such as fish, eggs, meat and dairy are the best sources of BCAAs, so for most people who eat a well-balanced diet, they are already getting enough of these amino acids and don’t need to supplement with a whey protein powder.
Collagen is high in three amino acids that are lacking in your plant protein, whey protein and muscle meat proteins. These amino acids are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. By consuming collagen daily, you are giving your body the amino acids it needs to build collagen, which is a fibrous protein that gives our bodies its strength and structure. It is the protein that keeps our skin firm, hair and nails strong, and our bones and joints healthy.
What is the difference / relationship between collagen and elastin?
Collagen works in tandem with elastin to give our skin its texture, structure and the ability to stretch. Like elastic bands, collagen and elastin help tissues return to their original shape after they’ve been stretched. Age, smoking, excessive sun exposure and an unhealthy diet cause the collagen and elastin in our skin to deteriorate. The collagen fibres become weak and disorganised, thus allowing the skin to droop and sag.
What is the difference between hydrolysed collagen (peptides) and gelatin?
Both are proteins made up of amino acids, but the amino chains of collagen peptides have been cut into smaller chains through a specific hydrolysis process. Hydrolysed collagen (peptides) do not have the gelling functionality of gelatin and are soluble in water.
What is the difference between collagen powder and botox injections?
Collagen powder works by feeding the body the amino acids it needs to build and repair collagen from the inside out. Botox injections reduce the activity of muscles in the face that generate wrinkles.
What is the difference between hydrolysed collagen powder and bone broth?
Collagen is one of the proteins found in bone broth along with several other valuable properties. Hydrolysed collagen powder has been isolated via the process of hydrolyzation to extract just the collagen, allowing for a concentrated, pure collagen powder supplement.
Can my cats and dogs take collagen?
Absolutely! In humans, as well as cats and dogs, you can find collagen in the muscles, bones, tendons, skin, blood vessels and digestive system. Collagen can assist your pets in the same way it assists humans with:
• General bone and joint health
• Joint pain and osteoarthritis
• Healthy digestion
• Skin health and shiny coat
• Promoting a healthy appetite
Why do some bottles and pouches look fuller than others?
Our product is packed by weight - each jar or pouch has the correct amount of product inside it. In the manufacturing process, there is an acceptable density range which allows for variations in how fine the collagen powder is. This results in some batches being finer than others. In those instances, the product settles more densely making it look like there is less collagen in the packaging than in other batches (which are not as fine).
The quality of the product is in no way compromised by these density variations. Certificates of analysis and relevant compliance documents are provided for each batch. Other than the visual difference which makes the volume appear lower, there is no difference at all.
I use a collagen face cream. Is that enough?
The topical application of collagen products unfortunately doesn’t feed your body with the amino acids that it needs to build and repair your natural collagen. However, you can introduce a daily dose of Be Bright’s pure hydrolysed collagen powder into your diet which will address the root cause of the problem from the inside, out.
You can combine this with the ongoing use of topical collagen applications that will work from the outside, in.
Get in touch
Have questions about your order, or a general enquiry?