We have all heard about collagen and the new fountain of youth. Talk of thick healthy hair, strong nails and hydrated plump skin. What is collagen though? How does it work in your body? Collagen has impressive benefits and incorporating it into your daily routine is super simple.
What is Collagen?
The collagen trend is here to say. We hear reports of healthier hair, stronger nails and plump skin. It sounds important, but what is it really? Collagen is a protein made from amino acids. You can find it throughout the body, but primarily in the skin, bones and connective tissue.
Collagen is so abundant it makes up about 30% of the protein components in our body. It provides a sort of structural network that keeps everything in place. There are multiples types of collagen, but the most common is Type I.
Collagen production slows down as we age. The day you turn thirty, bam, the collagen factory cuts staffing. Maybe not quite like that, but as we enter our thirties, collagen production decreases. It only steadily declines from there on. This means the skin becomes more vulnerable to damage, wrinkles and loss of hydration. Not to mention joints, your voluminous locks of hair and any other area affected by collagen.
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What are the benefits of collagen?
- Anti-inflammatory : Collagen functions much like a lubricant: it helps ligaments, tendons and joints glide smoothly. Less collagen can mean swollen, stiff and painful joints. Increased collagen supports good strength and flexibility.
- Skin health: Collagen plays an essential role in skin elasticity. Collagen and elastin combined, support the dermal layer. A lack of collagen leads to a lack of firmness, more wrinkles, stretch marks and more visible cellulite.
- Circulation: Our arteries and veins depend on collagen within their wall lining to speed up or slow down the movement of blood around the body. Collagen helps fortify blood vessel walls and keep them strong and flexible.
- Wound healing: Wounds heal and are held in place thanks to collagen. Collagen acts as a supporting framework for the different stages of healing.
How do you use collagen?
Collagen comes in many forms, but the most common is collagen peptide powder. You can also take it as a capsule, as well as a liquid. Since collagen is almost completely tasteless and highly soluble, it mixes easily into drinks like coffee, tea and smoothies. It can also be added to baked goods, oatmeal, dressings, soups and stews.
Collagen comes from animal sources such as hides, bones, or fish scales. However, vegan collagen support is becoming more popular. It can be a wonderful alternative for vegetarians or vegans wanting to support their body’s natural collagen production.
We know how to use collagen and how it benefits your body, but do you need it?
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My advice
I love incorporating collagen into my beauty and wellness routine. It’s widely discussed by celebrities and influencers as the fountain of youth I need to have. I know I need collagen, but does ingesting it actually work?
There’s endless advice to support adding it to your diet as you age. Collagen supplementation is a healthy source of protein. You can even slurp bone broth as a great form of collagen.
It helps you: repair cartilage, fortify blood vessel walls, strengthen bone health, reduce join pain, improve wound healing and scarring, and give your skin a gorgeous glow. With all of these potential benefits, I see it as a no-brainer. My favorite way to utilize collagen peptides is in my morning cup of coffee. I also include a vegan collagen support in my smoothie recipes.
Although current evidence is mostly subjective and there’s not as much science to back it up, I think the collagen trend is here to stay.
Check out some of my additional posts to aid in your wellness journey.
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Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
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