What it is

Hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides are short chains of collagen protein, broken down for fast absorption. Chief's collagen is sourced from Australian grass-fed cattle and hydrolysed and packed in Australia, delivering Type I and III collagen with an average molecular weight under 1kDa.

Also known as: Bovine collagen hydrolysate, collagen hydrolysate, hydrolyzed collagen peptides, Australian collagen, grass-fed collagen

Sourcing and quality

Chief sources its bovine collagen from Australian grass-fed cattle. Hydrolysis is performed in Australia. Final packing is done in Australia. Every batch is independently tested to be free from heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides including glyphosate. Type I and III collagen peptides are confirmed with an average molecular weight below 1 kDa. The unflavoured powder is 100 per cent hydrolysed collagen with no carriers or fillers, delivering 15 grams of collagen per 15 gram serve. Flavoured options deliver 11 grams of collagen per 15 gram serve, with the remainder being natural cocoa, vanilla and monk fruit (no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols).

Natural origin

Mechanism of Action

When hydrolysed collagen is consumed orally, the peptide chains are digested in the stomach and small intestine. Some peptides are broken down further into individual amino acids, while a portion of intact small peptides (notably hydroxyproline-containing dipeptides and tripeptides such as Pro-Hyp and Gly-Pro-Hyp) cross the intestinal wall directly via the PepT1 transporter. Iwai and colleagues (2005) measured these intact collagen-derived peptides in human blood after volunteers consumed hydrolysed collagen, with peak blood concentrations of hydroxyproline-containing peptides occurring within 1 to 2 hours of ingestion. This finding established that intact bioactive peptides from oral collagen can reach systemic circulation rather than being completely degraded to free amino acids in digestion. Once absorbed, the amino acids and small peptides are available for use in collagen synthesis throughout the body. Hydrolysed collagen is particularly rich in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, the three amino acids that account for nearly half of the amino acid content of collagen and that are required in larger quantities for connective-tissue maintenance than for most other body proteins. Research has also shown that specific collagen-derived peptides can stimulate fibroblast activity in the skin, supporting extracellular matrix synthesis. This mechanistic pathway is the leading hypothesis for the skin, joint and connective-tissue effects observed in randomised trials of collagen supplementation.

What the evidence shows

Skin

Strong evidence

Strong evidence supports collagen peptides for skin elasticity in women from their mid-thirties, when taken daily for at least eight weeks.

A double-blind randomised controlled trial of 69 women aged 35 to 55 found significantly improved skin elasticity after eight weeks at 2.5 or 5 grams daily, with the larger effect in older participants, and a companion trial reported reduced eye wrinkle volume and increased dermal procollagen. Benefits develop over roughly eight to twelve weeks of consistent daily use, not immediately.

Joints

Moderate evidence

Moderate evidence supports collagen peptides for joint comfort in physically active adults with activity-related discomfort.

In a 24-week randomised controlled trial, 147 athletes taking 10 grams daily improved across six measures of joint pain, including pain at rest, when walking and when lifting, compared with placebo. Participants had activity-related discomfort rather than diagnosed joint disease, so the finding applies to active adults, not to clinical joint conditions.

Nails

Emerging evidence

Promising but limited evidence for stronger nails and less breakage.

Twenty-five women with brittle nail syndrome taking 2.5 grams daily for 24 weeks saw brittle-nail symptoms improve in 64 per cent of participants and broken nails fall by 42 per cent. The small sample and the absence of a placebo group make this suggestive rather than established.

Hair

Mechanistic only

Plausible on mechanism but not established in trials.

Hair is built from keratin, which draws on the amino acids collagen supplies, so a benefit is biologically reasonable. Direct randomised trials on hair outcomes are limited and inconsistent, so this is best treated as plausible rather than proven.

Gut

Mechanistic only

Mechanistic support only, with no direct trial evidence yet.

Collagen is rich in glycine, an amino acid concentrated in the tissue of the gut lining, which is the basis for the digestive-comfort rationale. Direct trial evidence for gut outcomes remains preliminary, so any benefit here should be framed cautiously.

Bioavailability, skin elasticity in middle-aged women and joint comfort in active adults are supported by randomised controlled trials cited above. Nail benefits are supported by smaller open-label trial data. Hair benefits and gut benefits are currently mechanistic rather than directly trial-supported.

In Chief Nutrition Products

Hydrolysed grass-fed Australian bovine collagen peptides are the primary ingredient in Chief's collagen protein powder range (Unflavoured, Dark Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla) and the active ingredient in Chief's collagen protein bars.

Safety and Considerations

Hydrolysed bovine collagen has a long history of dietary use and is generally well tolerated in healthy adults. The primary safety considerations are: people with allergies to beef or bovine products should avoid it; the product is not vegan or vegetarian as it is sourced from cattle; people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a specific medical condition should speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new dietary supplement. No notable interactions with common medications have been reported in the published research, but professional advice should be sought where any uncertainty exists.

Published Research

Demonstrates collagen peptide supplementation improves skin elasticity in women aged 35-55 over 8 weeks.

Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Hartmann S, Langendoen H, Oesser S. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014. 27(1).

Study design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised. 69 women aged 35-55 in three groups: 2.5 g collagen hydrolysate, 5 g collagen hydrolysate, placebo (23 per group). 8 weeks with 4-week follow-up., 69 subjects, 8 weeks plus 4-week follow-up.

Skin elasticity was statistically significantly improved in both collagen hydrolysate groups compared with placebo after 8 weeks. The effect persisted at the 4-week follow-up, particularly in women over 50.

Industry-sponsored study. Results are specific to the proprietary collagen peptide formulation tested. The 8-week timeframe and dose may not generalise to all collagen products.

View study (DOI: 10.1159/000351376)

Demonstrates collagen peptide supplementation reduces eye wrinkle volume and increases dermal matrix synthesis.

Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis

Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014. 27(3).

Study design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised. 114 women aged 45-65 in two groups of 57. 2.5 g specific bioactive collagen peptides or placebo daily for 8 weeks., 114 subjects, 8 weeks.

Statistically significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume after 8 weeks compared with placebo. A subgroup biopsy showed significantly higher procollagen I, elastin and fibrillin content in the collagen group.

Industry-sponsored. Biopsy subgroup was small. Results specific to the proprietary peptide formulation.

View study (DOI: 10.1159/000355523)

Demonstrates low-molecular-weight collagen peptides improve skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkling at 1 g per day over 12 weeks.

Oral intake of low-molecular-weight collagen peptide improves hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling in human skin: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Kim DU, Chung HC, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee BY. Nutrients, 2018. 10(7).

Study design: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled. 64 participants randomised to 1000 mg low-molecular-weight collagen peptide or placebo daily for 12 weeks., 64 subjects, 12 weeks.

Skin hydration was significantly higher in the collagen group after 6 and 12 weeks. Wrinkling parameters and visual assessment scores were significantly improved at 12 weeks compared with placebo.

Relatively small sample. Single-centre study. Dose was 1 g per day, lower than many commercial products.

View study (DOI: 10.3390/nu10070826)

Demonstrates collagen hydrolysate reduces activity-related joint pain in athletes over 24 weeks.

24-week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain

Clark KL, Sebastianelli W, Flechsenhar KR, Aukermann DF, Meza F, Millard RL, Deitch JR, Sherbondy PS, Albert A. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2008. 24(5).

Study design: Prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled. 147 athletes enrolled (97 completed). 10 g collagen hydrolysate or placebo daily for 24 weeks., 147 subjects, 24 weeks.

Athletes in the collagen group showed significant improvement in joint pain assessed by a physician and in five of six visual analogue scale pain parameters compared with placebo.

Industry-sponsored. Dropout rate was notable (147 enrolled, 97 completed). Subjective pain outcomes.

View study (DOI: 10.1185/030079908X291967)

Demonstrates specific collagen peptides improve activity-related knee joint discomfort in active adults over 12 weeks.

Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides

Zdzieblik D, Oesser S, Gollhofer A, Konig D. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2017. 42(6).

Study design: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled. 139 active adults with functional knee problems. 5 g specific collagen peptides or placebo daily for 12 weeks., 139 subjects, 12 weeks.

The collagen group showed statistically significant improvement in activity-related knee joint discomfort compared with placebo, assessed by physician and patient questionnaires.

Industry-sponsored. Subjective outcomes. Results specific to the proprietary collagen peptide formulation.

View study (DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2016-0390)

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Hydrolysed Grass-fed Australian Bovine Collagen Peptides