Collagen is a huge buzzword in the nutrition industry today. Whether it is in the form of bone broth, capsules, or hydrolyzed powder, it is a largely consumed product today. It is touted for anti-aging benefits along with an abundance of other health benefits. Daily collagen supplementation is part of my anti-aging regimen, keeping not only my skin smooth and supple, but I also enjoy it’s many other benefits. So what is all the buzz about?
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body, and is like a glue that holds all of our bodily tissues together. In the human body there are approximately 16 different types of collagen. The most abundant are types I, II, and III. Collagen Type 1 being the most abundant of them all, and makes up approximately 90% of all collagen.
Collagen is actually a protein, made up of 19 amino acids, both essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are easy to understand, as we are familiar with them in products like BCAA’s, and protein powders. Essential amino acids do not occur naturally in the human body and must be supplemented by nutrition or supplements. The non-essential amino acids are not always considered as a necessity to supplement, as they are made by the human body. However, they are easily used up during times of increased stress, prolonged exercise, and even illness. Thus, it is important to replenish these through nutrition or supplementation as well.
Collagen is found in your skin, hair, nails, muscles, bones, joints, teeth, intestines, and even your cardiovascular system. Collagen is what provides the skin with elasticity, and also replaces dead skin cells. When the aging process decrease our natural collagen production, our skin looses its youthful luster and suppleness, becoming looser, showing fine lines, wrinkles, and becomes more saggy.
There are different types of Collagen listed on supplements, what are they for?
- Type I, III: Skin, hair, nails, muscle, bones, tendons, ligaments, helps form bones, and is also found in the intestinal tract.
- Type II: Promotes production of cartilage, and connective tissues.
Topical vs. Oral Collagen:
- Topical application. This we won’t discuss in this article, but it should be noted that the collagen particle size is much too large to penetrate the skin. Thus, collagen creams are of no benefit for the skin.
- Taken orally through nutrition and supplements. Through food alone, the body only absorbs around 25% of collagen. With supplementation of hydrolyzed collagen, the body can absorb close to 90%. Here you can improve your skin from the inside out!
If our body naturally produces Collagen, then why take a supplement?
We don’t necessarily see the decrease of Type II collagen, however we do notice the decrease of Type I, and III collagen as it is our skin that shows the outward symptoms. Nutrition can supplement collagen, however it is difficult in most cases to consume enough to give the body all of the collagen support it needs, and for anti-aging benefits.
Supplementing with collagen type I, and III, noticeable benefits may include: Improving elasticity of skin, diminished fine lines and wrinkles, improves nail growth and thickness, skin tightening, skin plumping, decreases brittle hair, slows down hair loss and increase thickness of hair. It also helps to reduce cellulite, diminish stretch marks and scars. Collagen also helps the skin to maintain it’s own moisture levels, promoting a youthful glow. After consuming Collagen on a daily basis I am able to clearly see the improvement in my skin tone and texture, with diminished pores and less fine lines.
Other Collagen benefits may include:
- A decrease in joint stiffness, as collagen is abundant in tendons and ligaments when we are younger. With age the joints become more stiff as these structures are less supple. Collagen is smooth and allows structures to be more slippery, allowing more ease with movement.
- Collagen is also helpful in promoting the health of your gastrointestinal tract. Keep in mind that collagen is a protein matrix, and helps to heal the digestive tract especially in those with leaky gut syndrome.
- Collagen may also improve your metabolism by aiding in the production of more muscle.
Product recommendations:
Many have found great results while taking the BeautyCollagen, and when taken along with BeautyVitamin C it converts the Collagen into a usable protein.
