Understanding Collagen and It's Health Benefits
Are you aware of the numerous health benefits that collagen has?
Read this week's blog post to learn more about collagen and discover its many wonders when it comes to your health!
WHAT IS COLLAGEN?
Collagen refers to a group of proteins that are the main building blocks found in connective tissues such as cartilage, skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen makes your skin firm and elastic.
33% of all the proteins in your body consist of collagen and there are 28 different types.
Here are the five most common types:
Roughly 90% of the collagen in the body is Type 1.
What are the natural sources of collagen?
The body inherently produces collagen. Dietary proteins are broken down into amino acids, such as glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids are building blocks of the different proteins in the body, such as collagen.
Good sources of proteins that are essential in the production of collagen include fish, shellfish, chicken, beef, egg whites, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.
There are also protein-rich vegetables such as watercress, asparagus, spinach, collard greens, broccoli, garlic, leafy greens, beans, red, and yellow vegetables.
Other fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamin C also provide antioxidants that prevent the breakdown of collagen.
What are ways to increase collagen in the body?
Incorporating other nutrients into your diet that may help boost the production of collagen is very beneficial.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the skin and aids in the synthesis of collagen. The common sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, and kiwi.
Vitamin A is a nutrient that supports skin health. The common sources of vitamin A include oranges, sweet potatoes, apricots, pumpkin, and carrots.
Choline helps maintain cell structure. The common sources of choline include beef, liver, eggs, soybeans, cod, and mushrooms.
Vitamin E supports cellular health. The common sources of vitamin E include avocados, nuts, seeds, and oil.
As you age, your body’s ability to assimilate and synthesize nutrients becomes less efficient, which results in the decrease of collagen. Unhealthy habits such as smoking, eating too much refined sugar, and environmental factors such as excessive sun exposure also slow down the production of collagen.
What are other ways that may increase collagen in the body?
- Retinoid / Retinols stimulate the production of collagen in the skin.
- Alpha-Hydroxy Acids such as glycolic acid help jumpstart collagen production
- Professional treatments such as lasers, micro-needling, and fillers accelerate collagen production and improve the appearance of the skin.
- Collagen supplements
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN?
Promotes brain health
A study revealed that Type VI collagen synthesized by the neurons in the brain could protect brain cells against beta-amyloid proteins known to cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive illness that starts with mild memory loss and develops into more severe symptoms over a period of time. Symptoms include the loss of the ability to carry out a conversation and adequately respond to the environment.
Beta-amyloid is a sticky compound that attacks and causes severe damage to the brain cells.
Promotes heart health
Proline, a type of amino acid that serves as one of the building blocks of collagen, helps protect the heart and the arterial wall.
It prevents the accumulation of fat or bad cholesterol and inversely increases the good cholesterol in the bloodstream. This type of collagen helps keep blood pressure regulated.
Collagen strengthens the arteries. It reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis, or the swelling and hardening of the arteries, which can potentially lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Supports Gut Health
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Leaky Gut Syndrome are gastrointestinal disorders where the stomach lining becomes inflamed and irritated.
An unhealthy lifestyle, stress, poor diet, too much alcohol and prescription medicines may cause these gastrointestinal disorders.
Studies show that people who suffer from IBS have low levels of collagen. Those who suffer from IBS experience abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, cramping and bloating.
Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition where nutrients and toxins leaked back to the bloodstream instead of being processed. It happens because there are gaps in the walls of the intestines.
Amino acids in collagen seal the leak by supporting cellular health. They also prevent IBS.
Promotes Healthy Skin
In one study, it was observed that women who took collagen supplements presented a significant improvement in skin elasticity compared to those who did not take supplements.
Another study revealed that collagen supplements improved the skin’s hydration in just eight weeks. As a result, wrinkles and fine lines were significantly less visible.
When you ingest collagen, it is assimilated by the blood and immediately distributes the amino acid straight to the skin and joints.
Collagen also boosts the production of other proteins such as elastin and fibrillin, which gives structure to your skin. It also reduces cellulite, fine lines, wrinkles and stretch marks. It hydrates and boosts elasticity. The result is a firm, supple and healthy-looking appearance.
Strengthens brittle and broken nails
As you age, you may experience brittle, peeling, splitting of broken nails, all of which may be avoided by boosting collagen.
One study noted positive changes in the participants’ nails after four weeks of taking a collagen supplement. They reported a 12% increase in nail growth and a 64% improvement in brittle nails.
Supports the growth of healthy hair
Collagen supplements may help support healthy, lustrous hair. Amino acids in collagen may help build hair proteins and strengthen your scalp.
Collagen may also act as an antioxidant that protects the hair follicles from being damaged by pollution and other free radicals to prevent hair from graying.
It may also help maintain a healthy dermis to prevent excessive hair loss.
Relieves joint and knee pain
People who suffer from osteoarthritis have worn out cartilages. Cartilages are protective padding between joints.
As we age, collagen production decreases, causing joints to become swollen, painful and stiff.
Some studies found out that collagen supplements relieved joint pain and stiffness. The amino acids glycine and proline in collagen promote joint mobility and a healthy inflammatory response.
Supports your back
In one study, a group of people who took collagen daily for six months witnessed significant improvement in their back pain.
Collagen helps keep the spine aligned to avoid lower back pain.
Supports bone health
Ninety percent of the total organic bone mass consists of collagen.
During menopause, there is a decrease in bone mineral density due to the decline of the female hormone, estrogen. Many women have osteoporosis during menopause. They have a high risk of experiencing a bone fracture.
Women are advised to increase their calcium intake. According to a study, use of a calcium-collagen supplement decreased bone loss in postmenopausal women.
Helps boost muscle mass
Collagen is also a big part of your muscle tissue. A study revealed that collagen peptides help workouts to be more efficient, increasing muscle mass and strength.
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YEOUTH Regenotin Advanced Collagen Generator is formulated with essential anti-aging nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that support healthy hair, skin, and nails. It helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increases bone density and nail firmness, as well as boosts metabolism and muscle function.