Collagen; What is it and Why do I want to try it?

I’ve been hearing a lot about Collagen but I didn’t know really what it was so I did some research. This is info from several articles I’ve read on it.

 

Collagen is found nearly everywhere in our bodies; connective tissue, skin, bones, muscles, joints, hair, nails…..and is used to support our body in strength, flexibility, movement and motion. Our bodies naturally generate collagen but as we age, the body becomes less efficient at producing it, causing loss of elasticity in our skin, onset of wrinkles and painful joints.   So how can we supplement it?

 

There are a lot of products on the market now. How do we choose?  Most collagen powders are from cows, pigs, and chicken. However, research shows that the best type of collagen comes from fish. It is easier for the body to absorb and is more efficient at supporting the skin’s elasticity and can help promote bone healing and joint function.  Side effects of collagen supplements are rare. But they caution use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding since there isn’t enough research yet for that group.

 

So how do we know which product is best?  The first step is to read the labels. Here are some factors to consider.

 

Purity – Pure, unadulterated collagen for maximum strength – many add extra ingredients which can dilute the effectiveness.

 

Hydrolyzed – Smaller segments of collagen for faster absorption – many do not use this type of collagen which means it takes longer to see results.

 

Marine – Absorbed 1.5 times faster than other types of collagen  – many use inferior bovine, porcine or chicken collagen of which you would need to take more for the same results.

 

Sourced from Wild Alaskan Pollock –  Healthier fish derived collagen provides optimal benefits – many use other sources of marine collagen which may be tainted with heavy metals which is what you do not want!

 

OK, so….there are several key elements to look out for that can pretty much guarantee the product’s authenticity.

 

  • Optimal Dosage and Purity: Eliminated any products with synthetic fillers, unnecessary ingredients and inconsistent collagen powders.

 

  • Verified Customer Reviews: Talk to your friends. See what they have used and what they think.

 

  • Monitoring by a Third Party: Using third-party organizations to independently monitor and track the reputation of a manufacturer and assess their customer satisfaction levels is crucial.

 

  • 100% Money Back Guarantee: A strong guarantee demonstrates the confidence that manufacturers have in their products.

 

How to supplement your collagen without taking supplements?

 

To produce collagen, your body puts the amino acids glycine and proline together with other amino acids including Vitamin C, Zinc, and Copper. You can help your body produce more collagen by eating lots of glycine- and proline-rich foods such as chicken, beef, fish, dairy, eggs, and beans. Also, to get the Vitamin C, Zinc, and Cooper, eat foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, leafy greens, shellfish, nuts, and whole grains.  

 

Once again, I am brought back to the fact that I need to decrease processed foods and increase organic meats and plant based foods.   It can be more expensive, but I’m looking at it long term and hopefully spend my money on these things instead of doctors bills and hospitalizations.  I’d love your input.

 

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