smiling woman

 

Today, I’m getting a little technical and focusing on the health benefits of collagen. A lot of us know that collagen is important when it comes to anti-aging, but aren’t exactly sure why. I’ve also noticed that when we talk about collagen, a lot of us focus mainly on our skin. You might have noticed your favourite anti-aging face cream contains collagen or have seen collagen supplements in your local health store, but are unsure about what exactly collagen is and how important it is for your body. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, until recently I was the same – I had no clue about what collagen actually is and how it works.

 

So what is collagen?

 

nails

 

Collagen is one of the body’s most abundant proteins, that makes up a large part of our hair, nails and skin. Made up of a mixture of amino acids, which come from the body’s connective tissues, collagen is an essential protein. As we age, our bodies begin to produce less collagen, making our skin more prone to sagging, and our hair and connective tissues less strong.

 

Is collagen important? Yes – it’s an essential element as it makes up around 30% of the protein in our bodies and 70% of the protein in our skin. Not only is age a factor when it comes to collagen production slowing down, stress, unhealthy foods, and gut problems can also cause problems. (I always thought age was the only cause of a lack of collagen…)

 

What are the benefits of collagen?

 

Portrait of a young woman brushing her hair --- Image by © A. Chederros/Onoky/Corbis

 

Skin and hair: As we age our collagen production declines, leaving our skin less elastic and more prone to wrinkles. A lack of collagen also impacts our hair, making it more prone to falling out. If your body gets all the collagen it needs, your skin will look younger for longer and your hair will be stronger and healthier.

 

Joints: When our collagen production slows, our joints, muscles and tendons become harder to move. They also become more prone to stiffness, soreness and swelling. If your body gets enough collagen, your joint, muscle and tendon health will improve, allowing you to be more mobile.

 

Boosts your metabolism: Collagen is also known to speed up your metabolism. This is because glycine, an amino acid found in collagen, pumps sugar into your tissues, increasing your energy levels. This, in turn, speeds up your metabolism, making your burn calories and fat more quickly.

 

Makes nails and teeth stronger: Have you ever noticed your nails starting to peel or split? If you have, the cause could be a lack of collagen. You see, the protein in collagen is essential for healthy nails and teeth. If your diet lacks collagen, your nails will peel and crack and your teeth will be more prone to decay – scary stuff!

 

What’s the best way to get more of this essential protein into your body?

 

supplements

 

When it comes to ensuring we’re getting enough collagen, a lot of us make the mistake of using creams containing it. When actually, the best way for your body to get all the collagen that it needs is by taking collagen supplements such as Hellenia’s collagen powder. Doing this ensures that your skin, nails, hair, joints, and any other parts of your body that needs it, are getting the right amount of collagen to be healthy.

 
Hopefully, this post has helped you to understand more about the benefits of collagen and the best ways to get the right amount of this essential protein into your body.