Short answer, yes! They can be effective and helpful with the right dose and key ingredients.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and is the building block of your skin, muscles, connective tissues, bones, and ligaments. Collagen has many roles in the body such as helping your blood to clot and providing a protective covering to your organs – but also has significant roles in skin health in the way it assists the body to replace dead skin cells, helps new skin cells develop in the dermis (middle layer of skin), and provide overall strength and elasticity.
So why supplement with collagen if it is already in our bodies? As we age, the production of collagen slows, and the breakdown of collagen occurs faster. This is a normal process for all adults, however women who have been through menopause often experience a greater decline in collagen which can present symptomatically in the following ways:
o Sagging and wrinkling of the skin
o Weakening and aching of muscles
o Loss of mobility, joint damage, stiffness
As well as the natural decline in collagen which occurs with age, certain lifestyle habits can also contribute to an increased decline in collagen production, including high intake of alcohol, tobacco smoking, unprotected exposure to UV light, and eating excessive amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Collagen supplementation comes in numerous forms, with the most common being bovine collagen, marine collagen, hydrolysed collagen, and vegan collagen. Let explore:
- Bovine Collagen: Derived from animals in the bovine family, most usually cows – by farming by-products such as bone and cartilage. This form closely resembles the form present in the human body.
- Marine Collagen: Sourced from marine species, most often fish – farmed from scales, and skin. This form is highly bioavailable meaning the body can absorb and utilise it efficiently.
- Hydrolysed Collagen: Collagen which undergoes a process called hydrolysis which breaks down the amino acids into smaller protein molecules which make it easier for the body to absorb and use. Hydrolysed collagen can come from either marine or bovine collagen products.
What will you see when supplementing with collagen?
- Firmer and more supple skin
- Improved skin elasticity and turgor
- Less noticeable wrinkles and fine lines and prevention of further wrinkling
- More hydrated appearance of skin
On a biochemical level, collagen is made up of amino acids – proline, glycine and hydroxyproline, which require other nutrients to help in forming together to create the collagen molecule. If you are unsure whether supplementing with collagen is fitting for you, there are multiple dietary changes you can make to support the natural production of collagen.
Look for a minimum of 5g of ethically sourced Hydrolysed marine collagen in every serve.
We have reviewed many collagen products for quality and formulation and are happy to stock our top two. Bree loves the mild orange flavour of the Beauty Chef: Beauty Collagen with water in the morning and Alyssa loves the unflavoured Simply Beautiful: Beauty Collagen in her coffee. Enjoy!
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