Marine collagen tripeptide dietary supplement: skin, joints

Marine Collagen Tripeptides is a dietary supplement containing hydrolysed type 1 marine collagen tripeptides, in the form of capsules.

Bioactive tripeptides are thought to act as genuine biological signals that activate the cells involved in the production of collagen, a key protein for the flexibility of the skin and joint comfort.

Definition and benefits of hydrolysed marine collagen tripeptides

What are collagen tripeptides?

Collagen is a structural protein, naturally produced by the body, which ensures the cohesion, strength and elasticity of tissues, particularly the skin, joints and bones.

When we consume foods that are sources of collagen (bone broths, fish skin, etc.), the ingested collagen is broken down into free amino acids as well as short peptides, among which are found, in small quantities, the valuable collagen tripeptides (1).

These small, highly bioavailable molecules consist of three amino acids, most commonly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, arranged in various sequences including Gly-Pro-Hyp (GPH).

Certain tripeptides are absorbed as they are by peptide transporters in the small intestine (such as PepT1) and can be detected in the bloodstream, as confirmed by human and animal studies (2).

Our dietary supplement containing highly hydrolysed collagen has the advantage of containing high levels of tripeptides, the specific benefits of which we will detail below.

What are the effects of collagen tripeptides on the skin and joints?

Numerous studies suggest that collagen tripeptides promote endogenous collagen production, resulting in positive effects on the skin and joints.

Our Morikol® marine collagen, rich in tripeptides, was therefore the subject of a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, conducted over 12 weeks on 53 women aged between 40 and 60.

This study found significant improvements in several parameters related to skin quality:

• 7 times more hydration and skin that was 6 times less rough after 6 weeks of use;
• 10 times fewer crow’s feet (wrinkles at the corners of the eyes), and 7 times greater elasticity, after 12 weeks of use (3).

In a randomised, placebo-controlled study conducted in humans, daily supplementation with collagen tripeptides for 10 weeks appears to have improved several functional parameters of the knee in people with cartilage disorders, with good tolerability (4).

How do these short peptides work in the body?

Whilst conventional collagen supplements mainly provide amino acids that act as ‘building blocks’, tripeptides are thought to act as biological signals capable of stimulating key cells in connective tissues:

• skin fibroblasts, the cells in the dermis responsible for maintaining and renewing the skin’s components (5-6);
• and articular chondrocytes, the major cells of cartilage (7).

This interaction is thought to be based on signalling cascades (sequences of reactions transmitting a signal within the cell) involving, in particular, the proteins MAPK and TGF-β.

This process is thought to amplify the synthesis activity of both cell types, promoting the production of collagen, proteoglycans (macromolecules that retain water and ensure the strength and flexibility of tissues) and other components of the extracellular matrix, whilst helping to rebalance their degradation mechanisms.

4 key benefits and reasons to buy our marine collagen supplement in capsules

Marine Collagen Tripeptides stands out for its 4 key benefits:

1. patented Morikol® marine collagen, with clinically evaluated efficacy: our patented ingredient, Morikol®, was selected for its excellent clinical data in humans. A randomised, double-blind clinical study against placebo, cited above, has indeed demonstrated its ability to improve several crucial skin parameters, including hydration, elasticity and firmness levels, with a significant reduction in signs of ageing (fewer wrinkles, less dry skin, etc..) (8);
2. a high concentration of bioactive tripeptides, including GPHs: our dietary supplement is standardised to 25% tripeptides, of which 15% are glycine-based tripeptides, including 3% Gly–Pro–Hyp (GPH), a sequence that has been extensively studied and is highly effective. This standardisation guarantees you a concentrated supply of bioactive tripeptides ;
3. an optimised daily dose, suitable for capsule form: thanks to their small size and specific properties, tripeptides allow for effective supplementation at 1,000 mg (i.e. 1 g) per day, in the form of capsules, without requiring the substantial intake associated with powder formats;
4. highly hydrolysed type 1 marine collagen: derived from type 1 marine collagen and hydrolysed to an average molecular weight of 1,500 daltons, our active ingredient has a high proportion of short peptides and minimises levels of free amino acids. It is also completely free from bovine or porcine sources.