Glowing, Radiant Skin: Is Collagen the Secret?
Dewy, glowing and radiant skin, improved joint mobility, and healthy strong hair and nails. These are the promises touted by many collagen supplements, especially given its recent spike in popularity. But are collagen supplements really a “miracle pill” or is it just another gimmick? How do you choose the best supplement?
Welcome to Collagen 101.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that makes up the skin and connective tissue in your body, and the bodies of animals, birds, and fish. It is often considered the “glue” that holds the whole body together.
For centuries many Asian cultures have used the benefits of collagen by eating things like pigs’ feet and bone broth from fish bones.
Now, we have the ability to turn those skin and bones into a convenient pill or powder supplement and many people are singing the praises of adding collagen to their daily routine.
So What Exactly Are the Benefits of Collagen?
Benefits could include:
IMPROVED SKIN ELASTICITY- Supplementing with collagen can help improve the elasticity of your skin and therefore reduce wrinkles. It can also reduce skin dryness which can give you more of a healthy “glowing” appearance.
STRENGTHEN HAIR & NAILS- Many people who take collagen experience an increase in the strength of their skin and nails, along with reduced hair breakage and help hair grow longer.
RELIEVES JOINT PAIN- Supplementing with collagen can help increase your body’s own production of collagen which can help reduce inflammation and degeneration in your joints.
HEART HEALTH- Preliminary studies are showing that collagen supplements could potentially help reduce the risk of heart-related conditions due to increased “good” cholesterol levels and strengthen the arterial structure.
BONE STRENGTH- Research indicates that collagen supplementation can decrease the risk of bone density loss and maintain bone strength. Women who supplemented with collagen were shown to have lower levels of the protein responsible for bone loss in their blood.
How to Choose a Good Collagen Supplement
I like hydrolyzed bovine or marine collagen sources that provide the body with all the types of collagen.
I recommend looking for collagen products that also provide the building blocks to increase collagen production in your body. There are also some collagen products that contain nutrients that will protect against the breakdown of collagen, which can happen and accelerate due to age, stress, poor diet and lifestyle.
One particular collagen-building nutrient is ch-OSA complex, a nutrient that has been scientifically proven to help the body generate its own collagen as well as protect the breakdown of it.
It’s also good to look for other nutrients like biotin, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and L-glutamine that promote healthy skin, muscles and connective tissue.
The Verdict?
Collagen is a great supplement to add to your diet, especially for skin health, but don’t forget to lay your foundation. The very best thing you can do for radiant and healthy skin is to eat well, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.