Pick up any beauty magazine, and you are inundated with the word collagen - Collagen helps with this and that but in very few places do they go into much detail about the different types of collagen or that each type of collagen offers different health benefits.
As a supplement entrepreneur, it is important to not only understand that there are different types of collagens but also that they come from different sources. Also, those sources offer different benefits, and when you understand those benefits, your target marketing becomes stronger.
As good as all of that sounds, it is not always easy to find the best sources or suppliers. In this blog, we go deeper into the benefits of collagen, its sources and those differences.
The Different Types of Collagen
To begin, collagen is a group of specialized types of proteins that our body uses in bone, connective tissue, and in various parts of the epidermis (skin.) There are three forms of collagen that we focus on within the supplement industry. Those are:
- Type I - Used for muscle, bone, and skin production and health maintenance
- Type II - Used in joints and joint fluid production
- Type III - Used for muscle bone and skin production
- Type V - Used for Optimal fibrillary formation and tissue quality
- Type X - Used for new boneformation in articular cartilage
It should come as no surprise that type I and type III forms of collagen are the most prevalent, after all, the skin is the largest organ that we have and our overall joint space is relatively small compared to total bone, skin, and connective tissue. Type I and type III work to support skin, bone, and connective tissue, and type II is primarily used within joints.
Marketing Opportunities for Collagen
That is an important statement for anyone who wants to add collagen to their private label brand. The importance comes because it is an opportunity to target specific segments of your market. Type II collagen is perfect for anyone looking for help with joint health. Think athletes, people over the age of 50, and those that are obese. Type I and III which are often used together are easier to market as a blend for hair, skeletal health, to help with tendon issues.
So, already, we see that collagen in its different forms represents several types of products that appeal to several types of consumers. Regarding demographics, you have:
- Men and women
- Old, young, and middle-aged people
- People concerned about skin health, beauty, and their appearance
- People who are recovering from injuries, especially injuries that involve tendons and ligaments -ACL and hamstring injuries, sprains, and other ailments.
In fact, it is quite accurate to say that the target market for collagen is very large and diverse. For anyone with a private label supplement brand, the different types of collagen supplements represent a huge opportunity to sell products.
Blending Collagen for Supplement Use
Earlier we mentioned that collagen is various types of proteins and that means that the various forms use different amino acids in their construction. That means thinking about glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and Alanine.
If you opt to add collagen to your private label brand, then you will need to work with a manufacturer/supplier that understands your needs. Your goal should be to market specific blends of collagen to different segments of your target market.
A good example of this is collagen with added serine - a component of glycine that our body needs and makes, but not in sufficient quantities to utilize extra collagen.
Here at ABH Pharma we have created a Multi Collagen that captures the benefits of all the types of collagen mentioned. We are one of the few private label nutraceutical distributors that can offer you a lane into this new and unsaturated niche in the supplement industry.
Sources of Collagen
There are two primary sources for collagen - from fish or cattle. While both types have similarities, it is their differences that are important.
Marine Collagen: Collagen from is much easier for the body to absorb and that makes it a perfect supplement for products like pre-workout supplements. Marine collagen is a type I collagen, so it is perfect for skin, hair, and bone supplements.
Differences between Collagen Sources
Bovine Collagen: Collagen from cattle has more hydroxyproline which makes it more difficult for our body to absorb. That's important because it has the potential for use as a product with delayed absorption which is often used in bodybuilding markets. In fact, a mix of both sources could potentially be a perfect product for the bodybuilding industry.
Collagen is not always an easy supplement to take and as such blends must be segmented properly. Marine collagen is easier on the stomach and digestive tract because it absorbs faster and does well in supplements where its concentration is 10 percent or less of the total volume. Collagen from cattle is a little harsher on the body because it is absorbed slower. It does well in supplements where its total volume is three percent or lower.
Another of the differences between marine collagen and bovine collagen is fat content. Collagen from cattle has more fats than does collagen from marine sources. As such, marine collagen works better for diet-related supplements as our body stores extra collage and collagen fats.
The key to producing quality collagen supplements comes down to two points:
- Understanding the key differences
- Finding a supplement manufacturer who also understands those differences.
Because there are intolerances associated with collagen intake, it is important to be cautious with blends and product development. Knowledge is your friend here, and you should go into this process as informed as possible.
Do your research with the goal of finding a quality supplier with whom you can develop a positive and long-term relationship. The key to great supplements is quality and once you find the perfect supplier be sure to maintain that relationship.
For more information about our private label collagen supplements reach out to the professional team at ABH Pharma !
