The future of the collagen market: 4 takeaways from The Collagen Symposium

But the many faces of collagen and its increasing application in the dietary supplement space is creating more confusion than clarity. To learn why and get clear about collagen once and for all, we brought together six influential experts from around the world for The Collagen Symposium, including Len Monheit (Collagen Stewardship Alliance), Elizabeth Thundow (Frost & Sullivan), Ingrid Möller MD, PhD (Rheumatologist), David Foreman (Pharmacist and Media Natural Health Expert), Caio Gonçalves de Souza (Apsen) and Daniel Martinez (R&D, Bioiberica). The thought-provoking panel discussion set out to debunk, demystify and debate the future of the collagen market – revealing some interesting, and surprising truths along the way. So, if you’re interested in a discussion that asks the burning questions on everyone’s lips and doesn’t shy away from complex topics to expose the real truth behind collagen, this is for you. 

Read on to discover four key takeaways from the event, a summary of the unknown truths set to shape the future of the market and helpful tips for individuals that develop, recommend and champion collagen products – from dietary supplement brands to medical professionals, and everyone in between.

1. “Not all collagen is collagen”
The Collagen Symposium started by getting to the root of why the marketplace is so confusing for consumers, despite rapidly growing awareness and curiosity in collagen products. One of the major conclusions was that ‘collagen’ is being used as an umbrella term for ingredients that shouldn’t really be called collagen at all. 

Take vegan collagen products as an example. They don’t include collagen whatsoever, despite claiming that they are a ‘plant-based collagen supplement’ or 'collagen based products'; adding a further layer of confusion to an already clouded market. The truth is – collagen is fundamentally animal-based.

But it’s not just consumers that are confused. Even medical professionals and experts across the collagen market are using the label ‘collagen’ to define products that are very different in terms of structure, mechanism of action and the scientific evidence supporting them. This initiated an exciting debate amongst the panelists about what collagen actually is and if molecules, like hydrolysed collagen – used widely in the dietary supplement market – should be called collagen. The experts’ opinion? It’s not right to consider all collagen equal and everyone needs to collectively agree about when to use the term ‘collagen’, or not.  
 

2. “Native (undenatured) type II collagen is a longer-term solution for joint health”
Historically, the joint health category has been dominated by ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. However, interest in collagen for joint health has intensified in recent years as consumers, young and old, look for more innovative nutritional solutions that will help them to stay active for longer. This has led to joint health becoming the second-highest reason for taking collagen supplements regularly, after beauty.  

With that in mind, ‘collagen for mobility’ was a category that The Collagen Symposium couldn’t ignore. But, with so many different collagens available, what is the best ingredient for innovation in the joint health and mobility arena? There is no conclusive answer, but the experts agreed that native (undenatured) type II collagen holds significant potential in the space. 

Firstly, it’s the most dominant collagen type in the cartilage, which forms the joints. Unlike hydrolysed collagen, which contains a mixture of peptides and amino acids, native type II collagen also hasn’t been ‘cut’ meaning it maintains its triple helix structure. For this reason, it’s not easily absorbed in the body like peptides, instead initiating a unique immune-mediated response and helping to preserve endogenous collagen to support mobility – all at a low dose of 40 mg/day too.

3. “Native type II collagen is a unicorn ingredient”
A what? A unicorn ingredient is, what David Foreman described as, a molecule that doesn’t smell bad or taste terrible, is easy to formulate and can be included in pretty much any delivery format…a formulator’s dream! Native type II collagen ticks all these boxes, qualifying it as a unicorn ingredient in the collagen space. That’s because it’s effective at a low daily dose of only 40 mg and can support the development of many delivery forms – from pills to gummies, and everything in between – native type II collagen mirrors rising consumer preferences for easy-to-consume, convenient supplement products and functional foods.

And that’s not all. It also facilitates multi-ingredient formulation thanks to its compatibility with other vitamins, minerals and botanicals – making it the ideal candidate for manufacturers looking to appeal to the ever-growing number of consumers adopting a holistic health mindset.
 

4. “Education and science should take priority”

Deep diving into the future of the collagen category, the panel asked, “How can brands navigate the complexities of the multifaceted collagen arena more effectively?” They disclosed some valuable tips for product developers in the space, but stressed that science and education are fundamental to keeping momentum in the market.

Schooling people about what collagen is and how different collagen types support very specific health benefits in the body is a good first step – but it needs to start from the top down. That is, the sector itself needs to get clear on collagen first. Only then can brands, manufacturers and other important stakeholders, simplify the message that’s being communicated to consumers and help them understand why they should take collagen in the first place.  

Interested in learning more? Get a 360-perspective on the collagen market today and discover what steps you can take to dispel misconceptions surrounding the ingredient. Watch the full recording of The Collagen Symposium here.

Bioiberica: An expert in native (undenatured) type II collagen

Bioiberica is a trusted partner for innovation in the joint health and mobility category, with 20-plus years of experience in the space. Our next generation collagen for joint health innovation – Collavant n2 – is a trusted source of quality, science-backed native type II collagen. Learn more about how we can help you stay one step ahead in the collagen market with Collavant n2.

Contact us to speak to one of our experts today.