When I was new to Shaklee, I wondered why they didn’t already have a Co-Q10 product. Several years later, when they finally released the unique CoQHeart, I figured out why.

The original powdered version was rather poorly absorbed, but even so, it provided remarkable heart-protective benefits. An upstart company had just released a “gel” version that doubled the absorption over the older powdered version.

Not long after that, Shaklee released their own product, and it was 500% better absorbed that the original powder, and twice as potent as that “new” gel product.

And (as always) their new CoQHeart was pure, natural, and miles ahead of every similar product on the market.

That is exactly what we all love about Shaklee.

In August 2021, Shaklee released Collagen-9, and it won’t take long before the competition will be “quaking in their boots”, because this new Collagen-9 is as far ahead of the herd as their CoQHeart was.

Shaklee also did a product comparison with several other leading brands, and it was a real eye-opener. [1],   [2],   [3]

See the chart below:

Google may be a helpful tool for locating a new restaurant, or for driving directions, but a search for the word collagen yielded 101,000,000 (one million) results, and in the first 10 pages, there were only 3 recognizable sources for accurate and unbiased medical information.

The other 97 “hits” were for companies that either sell it directly, or feed off of those who do so, by creating an endless stream of “Best of 5 (or 10)” websites, which make their living by promoting those other (paying) websites.

It can be a very frustrating search, unless you recognize the names of reliable sources for accurate health information. They ARE out there, but the good ones are buried among the millions of “me too” sales pages. It’s the Wild West out there folks!

Just as with Co-Q before it, collagen has become very trendy during the last few years. That’s because between 2014 and 2018 there were 4 different randomized trials AND 2 other clinical trials that touted the measurable benefits of collagen. Needless to say, they all caused quite a stir. We’ll review them shortly.

The other thing about collagen is that there are at least 28 different forms, based on HOW the body makes use of them, but 80–90 percent of the collagen within our bodies consists of types I, II, and III.   [4]

The sketch (see below) demonstrates how the structure of collagen supports our skin. The central, or dermal portion of our skin contains a cell line called fibroblasts. Those cells synthesize collagen and elastin, the 2 important structural components that provide the “scaffolding” that supports the external, or epidermal layer of our skin.

These 2 proteins are necessary for skin health because they offer both structural support and elasticity to our skin (the ability to return to its original shape after being stretched by motions like smiling). [5]

Skin issues begin to develop as we age, because of UV exposure, toxins absorbed by our skin, and insufficient antioxidant intake to protect our fibroblasts. [6]

As with collagen, elastin is also affected by age and the elements. Reduced levels of those proteins cause our skin to begin to sag, and that sagging is what causes wrinkles.

This is why Shaklee’s new Collagen-9 provides such hope, because it contains ALL of the building blocks to rebuild your skin, including the well-documented hydrolyzed collagen fibers [7], along with ALL 9 of the essential amino acids that are required to synthesize the millions of different types of protein, including collagen.

It also contains 100% DV (daily value) of Vitamin C, to protect our fibroblasts from free radical damage, and as a catalyst for increasing collagen production.

You may recall the “Sailor’s disease” referred to as scurvy? That developed because sailors in the 18th Century did not have access to fresh produce for months on end. Vitamin C is required for producing collagen. Connective tissues are essential for structural support within the body, for example in our gums, and even includes the structural integrity of our blood vessels and internal organs. Often the first sign of vitamin C deficiency is nosebleeds.   [8]

Collagen-9 also contains 100% DV of biotin (a B vitamin) because it is a key nutrient for growing and maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails.   [9]


The Collagen Story