Why does the formula contain glycine, proline and hydroxyproline? Are they just amino acids, or do they play a special role? — Bovine collagen 10000 mg 500ml - Vitateka

Collagen as a protein consists of amino acid chains, and three of them, glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, make up its structural basis. That is why they are naturally present in hydrolysed collagen: when large protein fibres are split into peptides, these amino acids remain in the composition as an integral part of the molecule.

Glycine is the simplest and one of the most abundant amino acids in collagen. It makes up roughly every third link of the collagen chain and takes part in many of the body's metabolic processes.

Proline gives collagen fibres their characteristic helical structure. It is important for the formation and maintenance of connective tissue.

Hydroxyproline is a modified form of proline that is formed in the body with the help of vitamin C. It is hydroxyproline that stabilises the triple helix of collagen and is the marker used in laboratory conditions to determine the collagen content of tissues.

In practice, this means that by taking hydrolysed collagen you get not just a mixture of random amino acids but peptides with the amino acid profile typical of collagen. The body uses them as building material in its own metabolic processes, including the synthesis of connective tissue proteins.

It is important to understand that the supplement is a source of protein peptides and does not replace a varied diet. If you take other supplements or have chronic conditions, it is worth consulting a specialist before starting the course.