Great Skin: The Importance of Collagen In Your Diet.
COLLAGEN AS A WORD AND AS A SUBSTANCE IS NOW SYNONYMOUS WITH YOUTH, BEAUTY AND IS OFTEN TOUTED AS THE MIRACLE FOOD THAT WILL KEEP OUR SKIN LOOKING YOUNG AND RADIANT.
Collagen is what gives our skin it's plumpness and youthful glow and the best example of that youthfulness can be seen in a baby’s cheeks – collagen is what makes us want to pinch that adorable skin whenever we see it.
But as we age, the body produces less of this vital protein to replace the collagen lost in aging. Skin cells called Fibroblasts are developmentally programmed to produce collagen matrix. However, over time (ageing) and damage caused by the Sun (Ultraviolet light) Fibroblasts become less efficient and this can lead to wrinkles, los of skin elasticity and therefore sagging skin. Increasing awareness of skin ageing, some people may blame Zoom video calls for this, means that many people are turning to supplements for help. But how do you know which supplement is right for you?
Before we delve into this question why don’t we take a closer look at what Collagen is….Collagen is a hard, insoluble and fibrous protein that makes up one third of the protein in the human body.It is the most abundant protein in our body. It holds skin, bones and muscles together.Basically, collagen is the glue that binds everything together.Collagen is the main structural component of connective tissue and although collagen can be found naturally in many foods like bone broth or fish, there are other ways to supplement your diet with this essential compound. The benefits of consuming collagen include improved digestion, reduced body and skin inflammation and healthier hair and nails as well as better looking skin thanks to Collagen’s hydrophilic and moisturising properties!
COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS
There are several types of collagen supplements on the market today - each of them has its own benefits: hydrolysed collagen peptides (helps with digestion), cold-processed type II collagens (hydrothermally processed for fast absorption) and marine capsules (contains proteins from deep sea fish). There's no one best product as they can all help you achieve beautiful skin if used properly.
Collagen supplements have been shown to be effective at reducing wrinkles around the eyes, improving fine lines & dark circles under and around the eye area. They can even help to improve cellulite that affects the skin on buttocks and thighs.
Collagen is found in protein-rich foods such as poultry, beef and pork. Some of the best sources of collagen are: ipsilateral animal parts (chicken feet), sous vide products like chicken wings or drumsticks, fish heads for stews and broths, a variety of cuts from grass-fed animals that have been prepared by dry aging process to increase tenderness before cooking. Many people feel they get more nutrients from healthier food when cooked this way instead of flash frozen at peak freshness then shipped long distances with artificial preservatives added along the way.
Collagen can also be found in plants like: kelp, wheat and oat bran. However, the most common form of collagen comes from animals such as cows or fish. Collagen rich foods should not contain other ingredients that are harmful to health especially additives. For example high levels of sugars or sodium can lead to an increase in blood pressure over time if consumed too often. A good example is canned tuna in oil, it can contain trace amounts of mercury so should only be eaten occasionally unless you have a specific goal for weight loss where this would fit into your meal plan temporarily while working on reducing body fat percentage then switching back to lean meats when possible.
COLLAGEN IS A BUSY NUTRIENT. WITH ITS MANY BENEFITS, IT CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE SKIN HEALTH AND APPEARANCE. COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS FORMS INCLUDING PILLS, DRINKS, POWDERS OR LIQUIDS DEPENDING ON YOUR PREFERENCE OF HOW YOU'D LIKE TO INGEST THEM. EACH TYPE HAS THEIR PROS AND CONS SO SELECT ONE THAT'S BEST SUITED FOR YOU. HERE ARE THE MAIN COLLAGEN TYPES:
*Collagen Pills - Capsules containing hydrolysed marine collagen peptides which have been scientifically proven effective at rebuilding connective tissue such as cartilage (the flexible but firm material found between bones). These help prevent sagging muscles while increasing muscle mass leading to toned facial features over time along with other body parts! The enzymes in the pill will help to break down food for absorption making it a great option if you have trouble digesting.
*Collagen Drinks - These come in powder form that are mixed with water, milk or other liquids before consumption. They are known as 'instant' collagen drinks because they dissolve quickly and this makes them easy to prepare. This type of supplement is more affordable compared to others but ensure that there's no added sugars or artificial sweeteners which may not be good for health! The benefits include healthy bones, joints & muscles while boosting skin hydration leading to healthier looking skin. Be wary though because some brands use low-quality ingredients so do your research well beforehand!
*Collagen Powder - Just like the drink powder, this type of supplement dissolves quickly in water or liquids. It is a great alternative if you don't want to drink it but rather add it directly to your food for an extra boost. This collagen variant has no taste and can be added into various recipes such as smoothies, soups & stews while cooking breakfast too!
*Collagen Liquid - A popular choice among customers due to its convenience and ease-of-use. All that's required is the simple 'click' from a pipette which makes adding these amino acids easy when on the go without having to carry any bulky containers around with you! Great for those who travel frequently or simply dislike taking pills or other types of supplements because they are uncomfortable swallowing them. These drinks are very affordable and can be used on both skin & hair for various benefits.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S A WIDE RANGE OF COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS AVAILABLE WITH DIFFERENT FEATURES TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS! DO RESEARCH FIRST BEFORE DECIDING ON THE RIGHT TYPE THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU GIVEN YOUR PREFERENCES AS WELL AS BUDGET CONSTRAINTS. THIS WAY YOU'RE SURE TO GET ONLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY INGREDIENTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON HEALTH BENEFITS NOR SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY AT ALL!
In conclusion collagen is a type of protein which allows us to have healthy skin, nails and hair. The best source of collagen sources are the bones from grass-fed cows, chickens and the skin from fish. If your diet lacks in collagen then you can experience problems with digestions, joint pain, muscle aches and much more! Collagen is very important in preventing aging too. When collagen levels are depleted then you can expect to experience early signs of aging which includes wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin.