As a leading Australian collagen company, CollagenX stands at the forefront of the wellness industry, providing high-quality, effective collagen products to support your health. However, not all collagen supplements on the market are created equal, and new safety concerns have emerged that every consumer should be aware of.
This article highlights new information and evidence, and exposes the dangerous practices of some Australian collagen brands which are putting unsuspecting consumers at risk. While collagen itself is classed as safe, it’s crucial to understand what some collagen brands are including in their ingredients to ensure that you’re protecting your health and truly nourishing your body.
Artificial Sweeteners: A Hidden Danger?
The use of artificial sweeteners in collagen products and protein shakes is becoming more common as manufacturers seek to create appealing flavours without adding sugar. However, this trend comes with hidden dangers.
Back in February this year we warned our subscribers about Erythritol (E 968), a popular synthetic sugar substitute, which had been linked to serious health risks, including blood clots and heart disease. This evidence-based research from the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, highlights the potential hazards of consuming products with these artificial additives, raising questions about their long-term safety.
Well just this month, Erythritol has made headlines again, with new research published in the Journal of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology which concludes that ingestion of a typical quantity of the non-nutritive sweetener erythritol enhances platelet reactivity, raising concerns that erythritol consumption may enhance thrombosis potential. You can read the study HERE.
Dr. Stanley Hazen, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute's director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention said:
“If your blood level of erythritol was in the top 25 percent compared to the bottom 25 percent, there was about a two-fold higher risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s on par with the strongest of cardiac risk factors, like diabetes."
What makes this so insidious is that Erythritol is also the largest ingredient by weight in many “natural” stevia and monkfruit products! The bulk of the product is erythritol, which adds the sugar-like crystalline appearance and texture that consumers expect. Additionally, it is also a popular pick to add sweetness to low-carb keto treats. See more information HERE.
Other commonly used artificial sweeteners include aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin. The sugar substitutes are attributed with a large number of health-related side effects in animal studies, ranging from obesity to various malignancies. Sucralose has also been detected in human breast milk samples from lactating women which indicates it is ingested by nursing infants.
According to studies, artificial sweeteners reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut significantly, which leads to an increase in pH. As the gut microbes constitute around 80% of the immune system, this inhibits the immune system and thus the thyroid.
Apart from the effect of artificial sweeteners on metabolic disorders and weight gain, their consumption during pregnancy has been associated with preterm birth. Therefore, their use should be limited among pregnant women, especially in those with any form of diabetes or insulin resistance.
At CollagenX, we avoid artificial sweeteners, focusing instead on delivering pure, high-quality collagen without unnecessary additives. When selecting a collagen supplement, it’s essential to consider not just the active ingredients but also the complete ingredient list.
The Dangers of Common Contaminants
Contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful substances are a growing concern in the supplement industry, and collagen products are no exception. These contaminants can pose serious risks to your health, leading to issues ranging from minor irritations to severe long-term conditions. Despite these dangers, not all collagen manufacturers implement the stringent quality control measures needed to eliminate these threats.
Regulation plays a key role in ensuring the safety of collagen supplements, but it’s ultimately up to the manufacturers to adhere to these guidelines. At CollagenX, we don’t just meet industry standards—we exceed them. Our advanced quality control processes are designed to identify and eliminate contaminants at every stage of production. This commitment to safety ensures that when you choose CollagenX, you’re choosing a product that is both effective and safe.
The Impact of Emulsifiers on Gut Health
The recent study published in the scientific journal Microbiome, has revealed how emulsifiers can drastically alter gut microbiota composition, leading to issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and metabolic disturbances. These additives compromise the gut barrier, trigger inflammation, and reduce the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are essential for maintaining gut health.
Emulsifiers, such as Xanthan gum, guar gum, acacia gum (also known as gum Arabic), polysorbate 80 (P80), carrageenan, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and lecithin, are commonly found in processed foods contributing to their creamy texture and the stability of various packaged products, including many Australian brands of hydrolysed collagen powder (and alarmingly, even formulations that claim to heal the gut!).
The study underscores the importance of avoiding products that contain emulsifiers, especially those promoting themselves as gut-friendly. CollagenX products are free from these harmful additives, ensuring that you get the full health benefits of hydrolyzed collagen without compromising your gut health.
Phosphates
Phosphate food additives are chemical compounds that contain phosphorus. They are commonly added to a wide range of processed and ultra-processed foods to enhance various characteristics such as flavour, texture, and shelf life. The most frequently used phosphate additives include sodium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and potassium phosphate.
The inadequate labelling of phosphate food additives by some collagen brands raises concerns about consumer misdirection and potential health risks. Phosphate additives, which are commonly found in processed foods like meats, baked goods, and soft drinks, are now rearing their head in some Australian brands of collagen. However, their presence is often obscured by vague or inconsistent labelling, making it difficult for consumers to identify and manage their intake.
Dr. Ray Peat PhD, a world leading endocrinologist, warns that excessive phosphate consumption is linked to inflammation, tissue atrophy, vascular calcification, cancer, dementia, and aging. Research supports these concerns, showing that high phosphate intake can negatively impact bone health, cardiovascular health, kidney function, and may be linked to metabolic disorders.
CollagenX distinguishes itself by not using artificial additives, including phosphates, in its products, emphasizing its commitment to consumer health and nutritional literacy.
Choosing a Safe Collagen Product
Given the potential risks associated with certain additives, it’s more important than ever to be an informed consumer. Here’s what to look for in a collagen supplement:
- Check the Ingredient List: Avoid products with emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, and other unnecessary additives like artificial colours and flavours.
- Seek Third-Party Certifications: These certifications confirm that the product has been independently tested for safety and quality.
- Trust Reputable Brands: Choose brands like CollagenX that have a proven commitment to transparency, quality, and consumer safety.
Conclusion
Collagen supplements can offer incredible health benefits, but not all brands are created equal. The inclusion of harmful additives like emulsifiers, phosphates and artificial sweeteners in some brands undermines their health claims and irresponsibly poses significant risks to consumers.
Take control of your wellness journey by making informed choices. Elevate your wellness routine with the CollagenX range of pure collagen peptide and protein powders. Discover CollagenX, where quality is our cornerstone. Our range of safe, effective products is designed to support your health and well-being. Experience the difference today.