So, you've caught wind of the collagen supplement hype, right? The promise of more youthful skin and bionic joints has probably got you tempted. After all, collagen is a pivotal protein in your body, playing critical roles in your skin, cartilage, and bones. Sounds like miracle stuff, huh? Let’s dive a bit deeper and see if these supplements are worth the buzz they're generating.

Collagen supplements come in a circus of forms and types, including collagen peptides and whole collagen. Yes, you heard right, even collagen has its dietary politics. Collagen is the whole protein, while collagen peptides are collagen diced into more digestible mini proteins, courtesy of a process called hydrolysis.

Here comes another surprise: collagen isn't just one size fits all. There's a whole family of collagen types based on different protein shapes found in various parts of the body. It can hail from a range of animal sources including chickens, pigs, cows, and fish (giving us the fancily named "marine collagen").

Different collagen products go through distinct manufacturing processes. For instance, native collagen still maintains its original protein structure and is often derived from the more gritty parts of our fowl friends for arthritis and joint health support. Collagen peptides, on the other hand, constitute a more broken-down form of collagen used for joint support and skin health. An array of animal sources have the honor of contributing to our collagen peptide supplements.

There are studies that have evaluated native type 2 collagen. In these evaluations, native type 2 collagen was taken as an oral product, and doses of 40 milligrams per day were frequently used. As for collagen peptides, studies have indicated that they peak in the body one to two hours after intake, then their levels drop by half after about four hours from intake.

Current evidence points towards some benefits of native type 2 collagen and collagen peptides for individuals with OA. Some positive findings also suggest benefits of collagen peptides for skin health. However, before you start stockpiling collagen supplements, it's important to note that more research is needed.

Bear in mind, the U.S. FDA does not regulate dietary supplements like it does with prescription medications. This means that supplements might not contain what they promise on the label. When choosing a supplement, try to look for products that have been independently tested or certified by reputable organizations.

Despite all that cool collagen jargon we just unpacked, remember this nugget - the most effective plan for achieving your health goals should involve your healthcare provider. They can guide you in selecting the suitable collagen product, dose, and treatment duration for you. So, before you go rushing for that supplement aisle or hitting ‘Add to Cart', it might be worth discussing your collagen crusade with a health professional first.