Collagen: Youthful Glow From Within
Hello There! Have you ever wondered why your skin is taught, your joints lubricated and you’re not full of holes? It’s all down to the little protein, Collagen, especially when your body is operated by Collagen, what else would you think? Let’s find out why this protein is so important to you and how it functions both inside and outside your body.
What is Collagen?
It is the most abundant protein in the human body, tightly interwoven into our skin, bone, muscle and tendons. It’s the scaffolding that helps hold us together and provides us with strength and structure. Without it, we’d be a lot squishier and a lot less bendable. In a word, a lot less collagen.
The Science Behind Collagen
Collagen is simply a long protein made up of amino acids. And as it turns out, collagen is made of many long chains of specific amino acids called glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, in their long chains, can bond together in a motion called a triple helix. When this occurs, collagen becomes tremendously strong and flexible, and it can support all of the body’s different tissues.
Types of Collagen
We have identified at least 16 different types of collagen, but about 80-90 per cent of our total collagen consists of types I, II and III, each with its own special function and location.
Type I Collagen
The most common type of collagen is Type I, which is found in skin, bones and tendons and can absorb a lot of tension without breaking. Known as tensile strength, it ensures the ability of those structures to withstand stress.
Type II Collagen
This form is predominantly found in cartilage, where it provides the structural scaffolding that enables our joints to move without friction. Type II collagen is crucial for joint health and flexibility.
Type III Collagen
Type III collagen often coexists with Type I, and both types serve to strengthen the structure of muscles, organs and blood vessels.
Sources of Collagen
Animal-Based Collagen
The most ubiquitous of the animal-derived collagen sources, recognizable from the label, are bovine (cow), porcine (pig) and marine (fish) collagen, and mainly contain types I and III collagen.
Plant-Based Collagen
Although plants don’t produce collagen, a diet rich in specific plant foods can aid natural collagen production. This includes vitamin C-rich foods, as well as zinc and copper, which are both collagen precursors.
Benefits of Collagen
Skin Health
Collagen is a hydrating and supplemental ingredient that keeps your skin looking bright, hydrated and wrinkle-free. The production of collagen naturally decreases with age, which is when you can begin to show signs of ageing. By supplementing collagen, your skin will likely stay more youthful.
Joint Health
To those suffering from joint pain, collagen can be literally a life-saver. It positively impacts cartilage health, reduces inflammation and improves joint mobility, and has become a go-to supplement for athletes and the elderly.
Gut Health
Boosting collagen beefs up the lining of your digestive tract, which means fewer instances of leaky gut syndrome (when partially digested particles seep through the gut wall, supposedly creating a host of health problems). Better gut health results in better digestion and nutrient absorption.
How to Boost Collagen Production Naturally
Diet and Nutrition
Not surprisingly, a healthy, balanced diet – rich in protein, vitamins and minerals – can also make for good collagen. Consider the increasing cultural trend of sipping on ‘bone broth’, an easy and accessible way to replenish your body with the minerals and nutrients your collagen needs to grow. Vitamin- and mineral-rich foods – such as chicken, fish and eggs – are also excellent sources of collagen-building fuel. For the trickiest ingredient, vitamin C, the recommendation is simple: eat your citrus!
Lifestyle Choices
You can keep your collagen levels up by avoiding excessive sun exposure and other damaging behaviors (smoking, stress), and by exercising regularly, which boosts the blood flow that brings nutrition to your tissues.
Collagen Supplements
Choosing the Right Collagen Supplement
With so many collagen supplements on the market, how do you pick the right one? To optimize absorption, look for ‘hydrolyzed collagen’. Look carefully, too, at the source and type of the collagen to fit your individual health needs.
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Most experience no adverse effects, but some users report digestive upset or allergic reactions. Like any supplement, it’s important to discuss the idea of adding collagen to your supplement regime with your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Collagen is responsible for keeping our skin healthy and glowing, our joints flexible and our gut functioning properly. Here’s how to know what type of collagen you need and how to increase levels naturally to promote your body’s wellbeing.
FAQs
Can collagen supplements help with weight loss?
No, collagen supplements will not cause you to lose weight. However, they will help to maintain muscle mass, which can help with weight management when coupled with a healthy diet and exercise.
How long does it take to see results from collagen supplements?
It depends on the person, but certainly most people notice skin regeneration, joint aches, and other Goodness of being improvements starting after four-to-eight weeks of regular use.
Are there vegan collagen supplements?
There are no vegan collagen supplements. However, there are vegan collagen-building products on the market that provide nutrients such as vitamin C and amino acids that support your body’s natural collagen production.
Can I get enough collagen from my diet alone?
There are plenty of collagen‑rich food options that you can get by eating a healthy balanced diet but supplements are often a simple way to get enough if you are concerned you’re not getting enough in your diet. As we get older, this may come in handy.
Are collagen supplements safe for everyone?
Collagen supplements are safe for most people, but be sure to ask a health care provider if you have any preexisting conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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