The Wonder of Collagen

Collagen is such an amazing supplement, it should don a cape and become a health superhero.

Collagen is a major component of our skin naturally, however as we age our bodies produce less collagen, so it makes sense to top up our levels.

Collagen isn’t just great for our skin though, it has the ability to help with so many other age related issues:

  • Collagen may strengthen skin and improve elasticity and hydration meaning fewer wrinkles and dry skin. Studies have shown that our body’s own collagen production can be kick started again by taking collagen supplements. Youthful looking skin? Yes please!
  • As we age, the amount of collagen in our bodies decreases, in particularly in our joints, which causes degenerative joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. However topping up our levels of collagen with supplements can help with symptoms of arthritis and reduce joint pain, meaning you can stay physically active for longer.
  • Protein is the essential building block for muscles, but as we age, we lose muscle mass. Panic not, research has suggested that taking collagen supplements may encourage the production of creatine, the protein your muscles require to function.
  • Collagen may just keep your heart pumping. The arterial structure comes from collagen, but, as we age our natural levels of collagen decline, so our arteries can become weak and fragile, causing narrowing. Studies found that taking collagen supplements daily for six months significantly reduced arterial stiffness.

Hydrolysed Collagen

Hydrolysed collagen is collagen that has been broken down into even smaller pieces to further aid digestion and absorption, meaning you get to reap even more of collagen’s awesome benefits.

Hydrolysed collagen is also beneficial if you have difficulty digesting certain proteins, due to the newly simplistic amino acid structures.

Other Supplements that Complement Collagen

Vitamin C is important for Collagen synthesis and is necessary to keep collagen levels at optimum capability.

Vitamin C is the most important complement to collagen, as the more vitamin C we consume the more collagen our bodies can create, which will greatly enhance the effectiveness of your collagen supplement.

Vitamin C is vital to our growth and development. However it is not naturally produced in our bodies, nor do we store it once we have consumed it.

We have to ingest it through our diet and supplements in order to get our recommended daily allowance.

  • Vitamin C helps with scar healing by forming a protein used to make skin. In the same way it helps build teeth, hair, nails, tendons, muscles, arteries and blood vessels, ligaments and bone cartilage.
  • The buildup of free radicals in our bodies is a contributing factor to the aging process. Anything we can do to prevent them causing damage is going to help maintain youthfulness. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that combats free radicals, so it is vital that we maintain a steady supply to help win the fight.

Bovine Collagen vs Marine Collagen

You may think that all collagen is the same, but that isn’t the case.

Bovine collagen is made up of the bones, skin and muscles of cattle and is the most similar to the type of collagen our bodies produce naturally themselves. However due to its complicated amino acid chains, it can be difficult for our bodies to digest.

Marine collagen is created from discarded fish bones and scales. Marine collagen is similar to bovine collagen in that both are rich in proline and glycine: amino acids with a multitude of uses. It is used from repairing skin damaged by the sun to combatting tired looking skin.

However that is where the similarities end.

Marine collagen pips its competitors by being easier to digest and more readily absorbed. It is sustainably sourced and wild caught. It also contains high levels of the amino acid hydroxyproline. Hydroxyproline helps stimulate our own bodies to produce collagen by activating skin, bone and joint cells.

The Power of Hyaluronic Acid

There is no denying it, hyaluronic acid has powerful anti-aging properties and can be a key hydrator for skin, regardless of the skin type.

Over time our skin loses its ability to retain moisture which causes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; dry skin can also give the appearance of premature aging, but it isn’t something we have to live with.

Using a product containing hyaluronic acid helps bind water deep within our skin keeping the skin plumped up and hydrated, slowing the skin’s aging process.

And who doesn’t want younger, more youthful looking skin?