Collagen is one of the latest buzz words in the health community. It’s hard to escape a grocery store or an Instagram feed without spotting collagen creams, drinks, and potions that promise a youthful appearance for decades to come.
So, what is collagen? Are there any benefits to collagen? Who should be taking it? How do you take it? Is it the latest fad or is it here to stay?
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, accounting for about 1/4 to 1/3 of the protein composition. In fact collagen is one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is also found in many other body parts including but not limited to blood vessels, corneas, and teeth.
You might think of it as the glue in your body that holds everything together. In fact, the word comes from the Greek word κόλα which means glue.
As you age your body produces less and lower quality collagen. One of the visible signs of this is your skin, which becomes less firm and supple.
Which one is right for me?
The world of supplements can be a confusing one. With so much on offer, it’s often hard to know what’s right for your body, needs and goals. When it comes to getting your daily collagen in, I take Glow From Within and Body Gold - they are certainly two incredibly popular options. But what sets these two apart and which one should you be taking?
Glow From Within
For those looking for an effective and convenient daily collagen supplement, Glow From Within delivers all the benefits that are associated with taking collagen peptides. Thanks to a hydrolysed blend of collagen peptides that are easier for the body to absorb and utilise, you can get attainable results and put your best foot forward.
The benefits of Glow From Within include:
Improved nail strength
A boost in gut health
Improved hair quality
Assistance in weight management
Relief from joint pain
Skin hydration
Assistance with hair regeneration
Improved circulation
Everyone wants to look and feel their best. It’s why we resort to fitness and supplement regimes that help us maximise on the work we’re putting in. Body Gold contains bioactive peptides that are geared towards building lean body mass. This has been clinically proven to tone, tighten and reshape the body thanks to decreased fat mass. When taken in conjunction with resistance training, Body Gold specifically targets the collagen matrix of your muscles for more effective results.
The benefits of Body Gold include:
Increased lean muscle and strength
Zero carbohydrates
Improved metabolism
Decreased fat mass
Promotes body toning and optimisation
Aids healing
Reduces the appearance of cellulite
Promotes better sleep quality
What causes the loss of collagen?
Sugar and other various refined carbohydrates: Sugar and refined carbohydrates interfere with collagen’s ability to repair itself.
Overexposure to the sun: Ultraviolet radiation caused by the sun can reduce collagen production. So lather up the sunscreen and try to avoid excess sun exposure.
Smoking tobacco: aside from the billion reasons as to why smoking is bad for you, smoking reduces collagen production. This can impair wound healing and lead to wrinkles.
How to prevent collagen deconstruction?
As previously mentioned, collagen and its production becomes damaged as we age. Although we can’t stop the clock from aging yet. We can control outside factors that damage collagen and its production in our bodies.
Collagen supplements can be extremely beneficial. Some preliminary studies have shown that taking supplements may boost your collagen, resulting in improved skin quality, muscle function,and reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Some alternative medicine practitioners have also advocated using collagen supplements to treat leaky gut syndrome.
Benefits of collagen supplements
Collagen is more than just a beauty and healthcare buzzword. It’s an effective supplement that’s easily absorbed by the body. Most collagen supplements are hydrolysed, which means they go through a process that breaks the collagen down into peptides. This makes it much easier for the body to absorb and utilise for a variety of important functions. Those who have already seen its benefits will know that daily consumption is important to reap the full benefits but what exactly are the perks?
Improves Gut Health
As we get older, our skin becomes less elastic. This leads to wrinkles and looseness where the skin was once taught, smooth and supple. Where nails are concerned, some people experience brittleness, breakage, peeling or splitting as the years pass. On the hair front, thin, brittle and dry locks are often a complaint as we age. With collagen being an essential building block of skin, nails and hair, daily supplementation can go a long way to restoring the collagen that your body now produces in lower quantities. For many, this could spell fuller hair, fewer wrinkles and even stronger, healthier nails.
Strengthens Bones, Joints & Cartilage
Your joints are yet another area of the body that takes a beating as we get older. From joint cartilage to aches and pains, a daily dose of collagen can help you move better and limit discomfort in those with existing injuries or conditions like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Reduces Wrinkles, Cellulite & Stretch Marks
Keeping your muscles toned and functional is another challenge that ageing presents us with. Collagen supplementation can help increase muscle mass in conjunction with regular exercise. This is because collagen helps to stimulate the production of proteins that drive muscle growth.
Boosts Hair & Nail Growth
With 80% of your immune system being housed in your gut, it makes sense to keep yours in great shape. Whether you have leaky gut syndrome, IBS or suffer from symptoms like bloating or constipation, daily collagen supplementation can help. It decreases inflammation and helps repair damage in the lining of the gut.
Reduces Inflammation
In some cases, many people find that collagen supplementation influences the way that they sleep. Why? Collagen contains glycine, a protein that increases serotonin, which is linked to sleep. This allows the body to make melatonin, the sleep hormone that promotes deeper and more restful sleep. Collagen also helps lower your body’s core temperature, which creates better sleep-wake cycles.
Trust your gut start your collagen journey