Collagen - a miracle substance for health and beauty
I think at this point everyone who cares even a little bit about the youthfulness and health of their body has already heard and tried a product with collagen, would it be cream, mask, supplement..., it is on everybody's mind and shelf nowadays. And how could it not? The whole health and beauty industry is crying of their amazing properties almost being able to turn back the clock. The promise of all these pills, powders, and creams is enough to get anyone's attention. Admit it, it sounds too good. Too good to be real? Well, think about it - you can swallow a pill, slather cream or a mask on your face and you are 10 years younger. Honestly I feel a little iffy. Even though at first I thought that it was one of the "new" trends, a new "hope in a jar" versions that health and beauty addicts promoting and there wasn't really much to it. However after looking more thoroughly into the whole matter I got to learn the importance and necessity of this miracle protein and whether or not it is worth it to invest in these highly promising products.
First let's define what collagen is exactly? The word "collagen" is derived from the Greek "kolla," meaning glue. Collagen actually really works as the glue that holds our body together. It is the most abundant protein in the body, most commonly found in the skin, bones and connective tissue, providing structural support, strength and a degree of elasticity. In the skin - collagen helps form a network, where new cells can grow and required in the replacement and restoration of dead skin cells.
Unfortunately our body’s collagen production naturally begins to slow down as we age. You can thank this process for wrinkles, sagging skin and weaker cartilage in your joints. Other factors, like diets high in sugar, smoking and sun exposure, also contribute to depleting collagen levels.
Normally collagen is produced by the body, however this function could be damaged or reduced by number of factors which brings numerous health issues. That's why supplemental collagen is being excessively studied for medical and cosmetic purposes, including to help with healing and repair of the body's tissues.
The number one thing that I learned during my research is that collagen and gelatin (version of collagen only in a different form) are extremely good for you. Some ancient scrolls show that our ancestors recognized this food for medical purposes early on. It was actually proven that people with food allergies manage those foods better if gelatin was introduced into the diet. The reason why it happens is that during the stress or sickness the body is not able to produce vital amino acids like arginine, glutamine, glycine and proline that collagen is naturally rich with, that's why it's important to get them from the outside sources. Some might argue with me calling these amino acids conditional, however I think that they are super important, since for example proline makes up almost 15% of collagen and helps arteries' walls to release a fat build up into the bloodstream, shrinking the fat, minimizing it's accumulation etc., which ultimately equals to a healthier arteries and heart! Glycine also makes up a major portion of collagen. And while size-wise it’s the smallest amino acid, it cares a huge role in our body running smoothly - it helps build healthy DNA strands, promotes healthy muscle growth and boosts energy production during workouts.
If you are still not convinced that collagen should play a bigger role in your life, here are some more benefits:
1. Skin and Hair
As we age, collagen production reduces. Unfortunately it is happening and it is inevitable. Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, improve smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.
2. Joints
Have you ever felt like you’ve got skeleton legs? Yup, that’s a loss of collagen. That’s because when we lose collagen, our tendons and ligaments start moving with less ease, leading to stiffness, swollen joints and more. Think of ingesting more collagen like greasing a creaky door hinge: It’ll help your joints move more easily, reduce joint pain and even reduce the risk of joint deterioration. A recent study even found that collagen is an effective treatment for treating osteoarthritis and other joint disorders.
3. Boosts Metabolism & Energy
A boost in collagen can increase your metabolism. Gylcine, found in collagen, helps pump sugar into your body’s tissue to increase energy levels. It also helps in muscle development — and muscles burn more calories than fat. Combine any supplementation with vitamin C to ensure your body can convert the collagen into a useable protein that can begin to restore the source of your energy and vitality.
4. Strengthens Nails & Teeth
Ever had peeling and splitting nails? Well, a lack of collagen could be to blame. Collagen protein is also the building block of your fingernails and teeth as well! Adding collagen into your diet regimen can help keep your nails strong and your teeth healthy!
5. Detox
If you’re looking to detox, collagen is extremely helpful. That’s because glycine helps minimize damage your liver experiences when it absorbs foreign substances that shouldn’t be passing through it. One of the easiest ways to cleanse your liver is with a bone broth.
6. Reduce Cellulite/Streсh Marks
When skin loses its elasticity as a result of decreased collagen, there’s another side effect: more visible cellulite! Because your skin is now thinner, cellulite becomes more evident — no more hiding what’s happening below the surface. Improving your skin’s elasticity through collagen will help reduce that dimpling on your skin.
Getting Collagen Into Your Life - bone broth
Our ancestors chowed down on quite a bit of collagen as a natural way of life, since earlier traditional diets incorporated whole-animal eating. Simply put, they ate many animal parts, like skin, tendons and ligaments, that we reject today.
Luckily, you can get back to the basics. One of the great ways to increase collagen consumption is by making a bone broth, such as a chicken bone broth. It’s a healthy, delicious and cost-effective way to use parts of an animal that can’t be eaten directly — no waste here. It’s also insanely good for you. As these inedible animal parts simmer for hours or days, they release collagen in an easy-to-absorb broth.
Collagen supplements, like collagen protein powder, are another easy way to increase your collagen intake. Make sure that you get your powder from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows (with no antibiotics or chemicals). Collagen supplements can be mixed into smoothies, soups or even into baked goods to provide collagen’s healthy benefits without adding any taste to your favorite meals.
It is important to note that there are many factors that support the formation and use of collagen in the body, such as vitamin C, manganese, copper, proline and foods high in Anthocyanidins (such as blueberries, cherries and blackberries). In order for collagen to be activated in the body, you always want to take your supplements with a source of amino acids and vitamin C, or make sure that your supplement includes these activating nutrients to ensure absorption and usefulness to your body.
Additionally, while many creams and powders claim to revitalize skin by adding collagen, the molecules in these topical products are usually too large for our skin to absorb. Through bone broths and supplements, you’ll improve your body from the inside out. Lastly, be aware that certain foods — rich in amino acids — promote collagen growth more than others.
If supplements are the solution, we don't yet know their exact biological action. Researchers who have studied them theorize that it's the mincing of collagen into very particular small chains of amino acids and peptides that holds the secret to youthful skin. When the fragments are the right size, they are absorbed into the bloodstream, and trigger the production of collagen in the skin's matrix.
Even though there is no direct proof that supplements can significantly improve the collagen production in the body, however it certainly can be beneficial. Again make sure you check the packaging for ingredients to make sure that it was made with natural ingredients. I, myself will stick to homemade broth, jello and supplement it with organic fruits and vegetables. Bottom point: eat healthy, stay active and away from direct sunlight.
