20 Comments
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Just a Clinician's avatar

Nice review.

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Ol' Doc Skepsis's avatar

Thanks. My hesitance toward posting a list of my green-light brands involves not wanting to seem to make endorsements. As a 19th Century Refugee, I was raised to "avoid even the appearance of impropriety." My hope is that if enough readers post their observations, we can create a community database. Please help by forwarding widely, and thanks again for reading.

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Ol' Doc Skepsis's avatar

Please see my new chat and consider adding to the conversation.

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Jennifer Depew, R.D.'s avatar

Tangential comment -- If you need digestive enzymes and take them, then you are helping yourself have improved access to the nutrients in the food. Indigestible food is not absorbed - too large, unless you have leaky gut membranes and you don't want that. Too large proteins can set up allergies or autoimmune disease more easily. Taking digestive enzymes is helpful when needed and wouldn't reduce nutrient content, just make it more available for absorption.

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Ann's avatar

According to Dr. Jonathon Wright most adults over 30 need digestive enxymes of some sort. I used to think I did not need them. But after incorporating Hcl w Pepsin at most meals my gut problems substantially improved.

And my nails now grow thick as well as skin is not as dry as before, and fat loss as well as muscle gain much better. Do a real game changer for me.

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Jennifer Depew, R.D.'s avatar

I bought some Betaine HCl, I should use it more often because I seem to need it too.

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Jason Powers's avatar

Good stuff here!

It is a helluva network of hustles these folks put together.

Antitrust: its like it doesn't exist. (Wonder why?)

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Ann's avatar

I would look in to Quantum Nutrition Labs. The late Dr Bob Marshall. High integrity, live fermented formulas, lab tested never irridated.. he also was one of the girst practitioners that designed a cell phone protector that cancels out the harmful emf' s, rather than point them away from you to someone next to you..

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Crixcyon's avatar

Good grief...I have been supporting big pharma with buying some of these brands. That's it, I'm done. I'm happy to have run across your articles.

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Elizabeth's avatar

The world needs some guidance on this stuff or we become another pharmaceutical inhaler. Thorne was on my go to list because a physician on a podcast said he thought they were a good company. I do use Dr Mercola and Dr Berg’s products. I think I do need digestive enzymes as my gut has become very sluggish since having my gallbladder out. Thank you for this enlightening information.

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Ol' Doc Skepsis's avatar

Thanks for your reply, Elizabeth! I'm pleased that this post is still getting views.

Thorne is one of the brands I have no personal experience with, and just because the company is corporate-controlled doesn't mean their products are sub-standard.

I recommend that everyone take an enzyme supplement, and not just for digestion - when taken on an empty stomach, enzymes travel throughout the body helping in all sorts of ways. My favorite is Healthy Origins "Digestive" Enzymes, but that brand is not locally available here, so my current go-to is NOW Foods Plant Enzymes. Cheers!

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Elizabeth's avatar

Thank you- very helpful!

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Linda Kapala's avatar

Impressed with this list and your work. I also like The Midwestern Doctor and Mercola for well researched information. Homeopathy is great and I have used many remedies for years.

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Ol' Doc Skepsis's avatar

Cheers Linda, and TYVM for your reply. My only homeopathic recommendation currently is Hyland's BIOPLASMA. (disclaimer: not affiliated in any way)

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Vinnie's avatar

VitalNutrients recently changed packaging AND no longer LISTS THE AMINO ACID percentage!

So may one assume there are no longer Amino Acids ?

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Ol' Doc Skepsis's avatar

Hi Vinnie, and thanks for reading. Sorry, but I am unfamiliar with the VitalNutrients brand...I suggest contacting them directly. Let me know what you find out, and when I get around to updating this article I may add them. Cheers!

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Vinnie's avatar

Thanks, will do!

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Vinnie's avatar

Collagen Peptide Composition:

Based on the provided search results, here is a summary of the chemical composition for collagen peptide:

* Collagen peptides are small molecules with a molecular weight of less than 10,000 g/mol, comprising at least two and at most 100 amino acids (Source: “What are collagen peptides?”)

* Hydrolyzed collagen (HC) is a group of peptides with low molecular weight (3-6 KDa) obtained by enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of collagen (Source: “Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications - PMC”)

* The resulting product, HC, is composed of small peptides with low molecular weight (3-6 KDa) (Source: “Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications - PMC”)

* The amino acid composition of collagen is atypical, particularly with respect to its high hydroxyproline content (Source: “Collagen”)

* Collagen peptides are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract (Source: “Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits”)

* The peptides comprise amino acids such as glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which are critical for collagen stability (Source: “PDB-101: Molecule of the Month: Collagen”)

Optimal Sequence

Based on the provided search results, the optimal amino acid sequence for collagen peptide bioavailability and absorption is characterized by:

* High levels of glycine (20% in Peptan, according to “Amino acid composition of collagen and specifically of Peptan”): Glycine is essential for the formation of the collagen helix structure and has anti-inflammatory and cellular health benefits.

* Hydroxyproline (12% in Peptan): Hydroxyproline is a key component of collagen, necessary for its exceptional stability and strength. Its presence ensures the proper folding and triple helix structure of collagen.

* Proline (13% in Peptan): Proline is a conditionally essential amino acid, serving as a precursor to hydroxyproline. Its presence contributes to the overall collagen structure and stability.

* Alanine (8% in Peptan) and Arginine (8% in Peptan): These amino acids, while not as critical for collagen structure, provide additional nutritional benefits, such as ergogenic effects (alanine) and importance for wound healing and vascular health (arginine).

* Unique sequence patterns: The collagen sequence often follows the patterns Gly-Pro-X or Gly-X-Hyp, where X may be any of various other amino acid residues (according to “Collagen” snippet). This atypical sequence is characteristic of collagen and contributes to its exceptional properties.

In summary, the optimal amino acid sequence for collagen peptide bioavailability and absorption is characterized by:

* High glycine content (20%)

* Presence of hydroxyproline (12%)

* Presence of proline (13%)

* Moderate levels of alanine (8%) and arginine (8%)

* Unique sequence patterns (Gly-Pro-X and Gly-X-Hyp)

This sequence combination ensures the proper structure and function of collagen peptides, allowing for optimal bioavailability and absorption.

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Vinnie's avatar

I am unable to post this excellent article which will explain the process of what hydrolized collagen does...It's very thorough...

THANK you Dr. for encouraging one to put on Grown up Pants and research info. to SHARE with others!

Hope this helps...

and VITAL NUTRIENTS should post their Amino Acid content imho.

Cheers!

Today's DietitianHome

March 2019 Issue

Dietary Collagen — Should Consumers Believe the Hype?

By Jamie Santa Cruz

Today’s Dietitian

Vol. 21, No. 3, P. 26

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Anomalous Anonymous's avatar

New subscriber as of today. Thank you so much for your well researched and concise article Doc! 🙏 If you’re not familiar, my go to supplement company is

nutridyn.com

Been using them with good results for years. They also have an excellent product called Fruits & Greens, which I also use.

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