Collagen seems to be popping up everywhere these days—in your food, in your body lotion, and now in your supplements. Why? It is a nutrient with many benefits! It is the most abundant protein in your body. Found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons, it helps give skin strength and elasticity, and helps with the rebuilding process. It is the glue that holds our body together when it comes to tendons and joints.
As we age, our body’s collagen production slows down. Poor diet and too much sugar, stress, smoking, and sun damage also depletes our collagen levels. Taking collagen directly is a great way to ensure you are getting all the amino acids that are needed for your body to make its own collagen. Some of these amino acids are not abundant in the primary sources of protein that we do eat in our everyday diet, so adding them in can be a real asset. Here are a few of the key amino acids in collagen and their benefits.
Proline
Proline makes up 15% of collagen and it helps protect blood vessel integrity, improve joint health, and support the cardiovascular system.
Glycine
Glycine makes up a third of the protein in collagen. It packs a lot of punch when it comes to cell function and building healthy DNA. It is also part of creatine, which promotes healthy muscle growth and boosts energy during exercise.
Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid that can be ingested or created within our muscles. It is a supportive nutrient to the nervous system for anxiety, tension, concentration and sleep. It is the fuel for the large intestine, so it is imperative in gut healing. It has a positive effect on growth hormones and helps with GABA release to promote a sense of inner calm. It prevents muscle wasting, supports wound healing, and helps joint pain. It is one of my favourite nutrients!
Arginine
Arginine is broken down into nitric oxide, and is therefore important to the arteries and heart. It supports circulation, and helps strengthen the immune system. It has also been found to benefit the male libido and sexual function.
The Benefits of Collagen
Improves Skin and Hair Health — Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help ensure that cells are renewing and repairing normally. Studies show that within eight weeks you can improve elasticity, skin moisture, and skin texture. It can also reduce cellulite and stretch marks, as it helps with elasticity, and can reduce the visibility of dimpling.
Reduces Joint Pain and Degeneration — When we lose collagen, our tendons and ligaments start moving with less ease, leading to stiffness, swollen joints and pain when we move. Ingesting more collagen can provide the nutrients that help lubricate the joints. Studies are starting to show that collagen can be an effective treatment for various types of arthritis and other joint pain disorders.
Helping the Leaky Gut — Collagen can soothe your gut lining and provide nutrients to help heal damaged cell walls. Many illnesses are being traced back to inflammation and irritation stemming from an unhealthy gut that is allowing particles to pass into the bloodstream. Collagen also helps with the absorption of water within the intestines, keeping things moving more freely out of the body.
Improves Metabolism, Muscle Mass and Energy — Glycine helps with all of this! It can also improve the body’s use of antioxidants and help generate healthy cells and DNA. Glycine helps the muscle tissue and helps convert glucose into energy to feed your muscles and support vitality.
Strengthens Hair and Nails — Collagen protein is the building block for your hair, nails and teeth. Studies are finding an essential relationship between extracellular matrix and hair follicle regeneration.
Improves Liver Health — The glycine in collagen helps minimize damage to your liver that happens when it absorbs foreign substances such as toxins and alcohol. Bone broth fasting is a tool we use to help support liver and digestive health.
These days, you can get collagen in a variety of sources and forms, in a variety of flavours, and combined with a variety of other beneficial compounds. It can be found in bone broth, combined with MCT oil, made into coffee creamer, or be incorporated to address your specific health priority. If you want to find out more on how to get the most out of the collagen you choose, or see if it is right for you, then feel free to call the office or make an appointment today!
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