If you stay up on the latest health and beauty trends, then you’ve likely heard the word collagen before. Collagen is a critical building block that makes up our bones, teeth, hair, skin, and nails. And although it does occur naturally in our bodies, as we age the production of this essential protein tends to decline.
Luckily there are some easy ways to add collagen into your daily routine to ensure your overall health and appearance stay it’s best.
If you’ve seen collagen peptides or other collagen supplements popping up in stores lately and wondered what these actually do for your body then keep reading! Here is everything you need to know about collagen.
What Is Collagen?
First off, before starting any new health supplement it’s good to know exactly what you are putting into your body. It’s important to know that collagen isn’t just a marketing buzzword but is, in fact, a fundamental component of your body.
As mentioned above, this protein helps to make up bones, hair, skin, and even your blood vessels. It actually makes up around 30% of the protein content of your entire body. Collagen works to strengthen ligaments, tighten skin, and create strong blood vessels.
The skin-enhancing power of collagen is why this protein is a leader of the beauty industry. And also why as we age, and our collagen production slows down, we tend to lose some of that youthful skin elasticity. Overall this protein is essential to proper body function and keeping our joints and tendons healthy and working their best.
Benefits Of Collagen
We’ve all heard the term ‘beauty sleep’ before, and although you may have rolled your eyes at this, the reality is that healthy skin and enough sleep go hand in hand. This has a lot to do with collagen!
While you sleep, your body is hard at work boosting your collagen deposits. And the different types of collagen produced has an impact on different areas of your body.
Type I collagen is the protein responsible for keeping your skin firm and full of elasticity. It also aids the body’s natural healing process.
Type II collagen is the kind contained within cartilage and connective tissues. So it helps improve joint health and increases the strength of your ligaments.
Type III is heavily involved with your cardiovascular system. It helps to form blood vessels and tissue around your heart. By ensuring you have healthy levels of this protein in your body you will help to build stronger hair, nails, and joints as well as maintain that youthful glow.
Forms Of Collagen
Although your body does produce this on its own, the amazing benefits of collagen are often best experienced by adding some of it into our diet ourselves. Collagen naturally occurs in mammals, so eating meat is one way to get some extra collagen in your diet.
Collagen is also found in bone broth and gelatin. But the best way to add in high doses of this protein is through supplements. Collagen supplements, often seen labeled as collagen peptides, are the most common way to find this protein.
Much like any protein powder, this powdered form of collagen is easy to mix into foods and drinks. Collagen peptides are one of the easier protein powders to work with since the taste is very minimal and it dissolves in both hot and cold liquid.
To get to this powdered form, the collagen goes through a process called hydrolysis. Without sounding too much like a science class, this process is a reaction that causes certain compounds to unbind and divide into smaller amino acid chains, making it easier for your body to absorb.
Why Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides can easily be added into your diet to up your body’s collagen levels. Simply add the powder to your daily cup of coffee or tea. Or mix it into a smoothie or even soup.
Studies have shown that taking collagen supplements you are having a positive impact on your natural collagen density. These supplements can help you alleviate problems in your joints, reduce hair loss, and decrease your skin’s signs of aging. Collagen peptides provide your body with a range of healthy amino acids necessary for your overall health.
When picking out collagen peptides, you want to look for those that are 100% pure and don’t have added ingredients such as flavoring and sugar. You also should look for ones that are antibiotic-free.
Since collagen does come from animals, and most often cows, it’s best to make sure you aren’t getting loads of hormones and antibiotics. The best collagen will come from grass-fed cows and will have some sort of third-party certification, such as GMP or NSF, to ensure it has been tested for safety.
Many collagen peptides may also have other added vitamins or probiotics for added health benefits. So just like with any new supplement, it’s important to read labels and know exactly what you are putting into your body.
Try Collagen For Yourself
Know that you know the many benefits collagen has on both your health and appearance consider adding this supplement into a part of your daily routine. Although you won’t see results overnight, after a few weeks of using a collagen supplement your body will start to thank you.
Between better joint health, stronger blood vessels, healthier hair, and younger-looking skin there are plenty of reasons to give this protein a shot. For all your collagen needs, check out our website!
