When we think of collagen, as promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails. This is true, but it has even greater importance to our bodies. The word “collagen” itself, derives from the Greek word “kolla,” meaning glue.  Collagen is the glue that holds the body together! It is the most abundant protein found throughout your body in organs, muscles, skin, hair, blood vessels, tendons, joints.  The list goes on, and it is vital to replenish your body of collagen because as we age, your body produces less of it. In fact, we lose about 50% of our natural collagen stores after the age of 60!

The main four types of Collagen

•  Type I: This type accounts for 90% of your body’s collagen, which is the most popular and is made of densely packed fibers. It provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth. •  Type II:  Made of more loosely packed fibers and is found in elastic cartilage, which cushions joints and supports digestive health. •  Type III: Supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arteries. •  Type IV: Helps with filtration and is found in layers of your skin. National Center for Biotechnology Information, S. National Library of Medicine          

Benefits of Collagen  

• Aids in joint and cartilage health • Helps repair leaky gut • Improves skin flexibility and. elasticity  – A short article  from the Mayo Clinic on skincare: 5 tips for healthy skin • Supports weight management • Promotes heart health • Supports bone formation, growth, and repair • Enhances liver function and detox pathways • Improves sleep quality

Behaviors that promote damages and loss 

• Smoking • Alcohol consumption • Sugar consumption • Unmanageable stress • Excessive sun exposure • Poor sleep quality • Processed vegetable oils • Dietary deficiencies

I am frequently asked, “What can I do to boost my collagen”? I recommend the 13 foods to boost collagen.  You can print the chart as a reminder to eat the foods listed to help with collagen revival.  Making bone broth out of the chicken carcass and chicken feet (if you can stomach it) is my favorite way to get collagen.! There are supplements both powders and capsules that you can also take to help with collagen development. Collagen powders and supplements provide the key amino acid and trace mineral building blocks the body needs to support its own collagen production. Collagen supplements are often “hydrolyzed.” which means they’re broken down into their smaller, easier-to-digest form, called ‘peptides.” If you use a collagen powder, I recommend mixing it with warm liquids as it dissolves better. It is also undetectable in smoothies!

               

Article: The Best Way You can get more Collagen (Meet the protein behind healthy skin and joints by Elizabeth Bradley MD Medical Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine.

General beneficial effects, including increasing skin hydration, decreasing the formation of deep wrinkles and improving skin elasticity, are also observed…”  (Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 2017) “Collagen atrophy is a major factor in skin aging.” (Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013)