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: What should I look for when selecting a quality collagen supplement?
A: As with other nutrition products, there are both high and low quality collagen supplements available. With the liquid form being best for absorption, there are four main characteristics to check in determining quality:
1) Viscosity or Thickness - Collagen protein is dense and heavier than water (almost like syrup). A thin or watery liquid indicates little to no collagen;
2) Color – Should be golden or copper in color. Other coloring indicates inferior collagen sources or coloring additives. A clear appearance indicates little to no collagen;
3) Type - Bovine collagen is superior to commonly used chicken, fish or pork (called “porcine”), as its specific high nitrogen amino acid ratios are more effectively utilized by the human body; and
4) Hydrolyzation Process – Enzymatic hydrolyzation is far superior for absorption, bodily utilization and results than commonly used acid hydrolyzed types (see the third question located below for details). Also, reputable products should specify on the label: 1) Exactly how much collagen protein is used, not just their total protein content (sometimes other proteins or amino acids are added to boost the total protein content shown);
2) If other protein sources or amino acids are included and how much. (Note: These lack the specific high nitrogen amino acid content and ratios that enable collagen to support certain results with the body);
3) What type of collagen is used (bovine, chicken, fish, etc.), and
4) Whether the product is enzymatically or acid hydrolyzed.

Q: How can I tell if the product I am using contains the original, medically used and patented collagen formula?

A: The original and only patented “night time weight loss” collagen formula used by over 3,800 clinics, physicians and hospitals over the past 24 years can be identified by the trademarked collagen formula name “CollaPure™” along with the four specific U.S. Patent numbers: 4,025,650, 4,042,587, 4,042,688, and 4,053,589 which will appear on the label. If this information is not on the label, then the product is not the original. Presently, the original, patented formula is only available under the brand name AminoSculpt. Important Note: Don’t be confused by other companies that say their product is patented or list other patent numbers on the label. Other companies include an ingredient called CLA (which has nothing to do with collagen) and list the patent numbers (usually three) associated with that ingredient. Consumers can be incorrectly lead to believe that these other listed patent numbers indicate the original collagen formula – which they do not.

Q: What does it mean when collagen is “hydrolyzed” and why is having an “enzymatically” hydrolyzed product so important?

A: “Hydrolyzed” or the other commonly referred term “hydrolysis” is another name for the process of digestion or the breaking down of food into material that can be used and absorbed by the body. There are two types of hydrolyzation processes used when preparing collagen: enzymatic (using natural enzymes) and acid. Most companies use acid hydrolysis (an unnatural process) when preparing collagen, since it is lower in cost and easier to make. Acid hydrolysis does not break down collagen completely, thus the body must further digest it for it to be utilized, otherwise it will be useless in its purpose. This is why many collagen formulas must be taken on an empty stomach at bedtime, when there is no other food to interfere with the collagen. AminoSculpt is hydrolyzed by a proprietary process, using natural enzymes (not acid), just like nature intended. This allows the body to completely absorb all the collagen protein in a matter of minutes. This is why AminoSculpt can also be taken during the day to aid energy levels, whereas other products cannot. This proprietary enzymatic process gives AminoSculpt’s collagen formula five major benefits: 1) a truly all-natural product, 2) it can be taken during the day time to support energy levels and to aid in weight loss, 3) unlike other products, AminoSculpt still works if food has been consumed prior to the three hour recommended fasting period before bedtime, 4) no potential side effects that the acid formulas can have (see details in #3 of the last question), and 5) AminoSculpt can be taken with other supplements since it absorbs immediately and will not interfere with their use in the body. While being the first, AminoSculpt still is the only “night time weight loss” collagen formula we know of that utilizes enzymatic hydrolyzation.

Q: Other collagen formulas are promoted for use before bedtime and only for weight loss. Can AminoSculpt be used at other times and for other purposes besides weight loss?
A: Yes, AminoSculpt is considered a “multiple solution™” product which can be used during the day and for many other purposes. Besides weight loss, AminoSculpt is also highly effective in helping the body’s own natural mechanisms to improve the skin, hair and nails; support energy levels (when used during the day); support joint function; shorten recovery time after exercise; promote lean muscle development; and to promote better sleep**.
Q: I noticed that other products include ingredients like CLA, pyruvate, carnitine, chromium, other amino acids and aloe vera. Why doesn’t AminoSculpt have these?
A: This is an important question and there are a few reasons why AminoSculpt purposely contains only collagen protein and no other added ingredients:
1) Clinical Study Results: There are no clinically efficacious studies that show any ingredients added to collagen make it any more effective in burning calories or reducing body fat. All the clinical and published studies in medical journals on AminoSculpt’s original, patented collagen formula were done with our enzymatically hydrolyzed collagen formula (CollaPure™) only – with no other ingredients added. The studies and resulting issued patents all showed that our enzymatic collagen formula was highly effective for weight loss and nutritional support on its own.
2) Other Ingredients: It is physically impossible to include effective amounts of the other ingredients and combine it with an effective amount of collagen – and have it all fit in a serving size of one or two tablespoons. For example, it takes dosages of 400 mcg of chromium, 3000-4000 mg of CLA, 2000-5000 grams (although the studies required much higher dosages) of pyruvate and at least 1000 mg of carnitine to have any benefit on weight loss like the studies suggest. Therefore, combinations of these ingredients in effective amounts cannot possibly fit in a tablespoon or two with an effective amount of collagen. Sadly, what other companies which offer these “combination” products are doing is adding minute amounts of these other ingredients for “cosmetic” label reasons to make customers think they are getting more, when what they are getting is a diluted and often ineffective mix of ingredients at a higher price. Be suspicious of companies that do not list the exact amounts of these ingredients on the label, but reference them as a “proprietary blend.”
3) The Real Purpose of Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera added to enzymatically hydrolyzed collagen is completely unnecessary and non-efficacious. Aloe vera is used as an intestinal soothing agent (or stomach settler) to absorb and hopefully nullify the gas and gripping produced by the acid in acid hydrolyzed formulas and to help the absorption of inferior processed or acid hydrolyzed formulas. Since aloe vera does not have a direct effect on weight loss, there is no other logical purpose of including it in a weight loss collagen formula. Also, there must be a substantial amount of aloe vera (which if not in gel form would be useless) to be effective. Once again, the problem this causes is there is not physically enough room in a typical tablespoon or two serving size to have an effective amount of collagen and aloe vera gel together (as well as any of the other ingredients mentioned above). Enzymatically hydrolyzed collagen, like used in AminoSculpt, does not cause any intestinal problems and provides the best absorption possible. This is why the AminoSculpt (CollaPure™) formula is used in large doses (up to 100 grams) with hospital patients in recovery.

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