What You’ll Learn in This Article
- What is Collagen?
- The Many Benefits of Collagen
- Signs You May be Collagen Deficient
- Natural Ways to Build Collagen
- How to Incorporate Collagen to Your Diet
What is Collagen?
The word collagen comes from the Greek word kolla which actually means glue. Many people say that it is because collagen helps to hold us together.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen accounts for a third of the body’s protein, and plays an important role in healthy joints, bones, muscles, blood, and skin. In fact, it makes up ¾ of our skin, helping to keep it elastic and youthful.
There are at least 16 types of collagen but Type 1 accounts for 90% of the body’s collagen and provides structure for the skin and bones.
Aside from being produced by humans, collagen is also one of the main components in the tissues of other animals. For this reason, the best sources for collagen from animals is from their skin (like salmon skin), bones (bone broth), and tendons. Through consuming dietary collagen, derived from animal protein, we can increase collagen in our own body.
What Happens to Our Collagen as We Age
Your body is able to produce it’s own collagen, but as we age, collagen begins to weaken and production begins to decrease. When this happens, our skin may become more protein to wrinkles, fine lines, and expression lines. We also may notice bags under our eyes, sagging skin, and slow skin healing.
It is the decrease in collagen that we associate with the visible signs of aging. Too much sun exposure can also harm collagen and cause these signs.
The Many Benefits of Collagen
Since collagen makes up ⅓ of the protein in our bodies, I’m sure you can imagine that it is incredibly important. A few of its jobs include:
- Rejuvenating the look and health of the skin
- Strengthening joints and reducing joint pain
- Reducing hunger to aid in weight loss
- Promoting muscle growth & health
- Balancing blood sugar
- Strengthening hair, skin, and nails
- Supporting heart, brain and gut health
- Promoting bone health
- Strengthening tendons and cartilage
What makes collagen different from other types of protein? It’s high in specific amino acids. It is particularly high in glycine (22%), proline (13%), and hydroxyproline (12%).
Signs You May be Collagen Deficient
So what happens when you don’t have enough collagen in your body? It can lead to:
- Premature wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging
- Dry skin
- Damage to your gut lining, leading to leaky gut
- Brittle nails
- Cellulite
- Tendon or ligament issues
- Loss of muscle mass or muscle weakness
- Joint pain & stiffness
Clearly collagen is incredibly important for you to look and feel like your most radiant self! Read on to learn how to naturally boost collagen in your body.
Natural Ways to Build Collagen
Just like anything else, what you eat and how you care for your body has a huge impact on your production of collagen.
You can support your body in building collagen by focusing on foods, supplements, skincare routines, and lifestyle changes that increase your body’s ability to produce collagen. Let’s look at what you can do internally (e.g. foods and supplements), topically (e.g. what you can apply to your skin), and lifestyle changes to make.
Internal Ways to Support Collagen:
- Consume a collagen powder
- Increase your intake of Vitamin C through foods or a supplement
- Take a zinc supplement
- Try a hyaluronic acid supplement
- Increase the polyphenols in your diet through such as green tea and pomegranate
Topical Ways to Boost Collagen:
- Apply a Vitamin C cream. Please note that if you want to use it during the day, be sure to purchase one that is stable during the day! It can cause skin damage if it is not rated for daytime use.
- Purchase a skincare product with hyaluronic acid
- Apply aloe vera to the skin
- Try jojoba oil
- Try cocoa butter on the skin
Lifestyle Changes That Promote Collagen
- Make sure you get a good amount of sleep as it increases specific hormones needed for collagen production.
- Reduce stress! It harms collagen production and produces inflammation in the body.
- Fasting has been shown to support anti-aging effects in the body.
- Stay hydrated! The skin is 64% water.
Choosing a Collagen Powder
Incorporating a collagen powder is an amazing way to support your skin from the inside out. It is essential that any collagen powder you use is of the highest quality. The collagen we incorporate into our Collagen Clarity Creamer is excellent. Our collagen supplier has gone through extensive testing to ensure purity. We also source only pasture-raised collagen to ensure it provides the most benefits to the body.
Different Ways to Incorporate Collagen Powder into Your Routine
We recommend adding our collagen creamer to your morning coffee, tea, or steamed milk as an easy way to enjoy it each day. We also include MCT oil and prebiotic fiber for additional benefits. It also works great in a smoothie, yogurt, oatmeal, or baked goods. It is a wonderful, delicious way to add more protein to any food. We offer Chocolate Coconut and Chai Tea flavors.