We live in a world which heavily focuses on external appearances. This has led to an extraordinary amount of beauty products both homemade and for sale. Thanks to the sea of twisted marketing campaigns, celebrity endorsements, photoshopped models and reality TV shows, there is immense pressure on people to have the “perfect look”. We invest a great deal of time and money on tuning our look, often spending more than on staying healthy.
This bombardment makes it tough to make informed ethical decisions about what products really work. When it comes to choosing the best products for both beauty and health it is even more difficult. Determining which substances you should allow onto and into your body is a confusing process.
A group of natural beauty products that is currently experiencing a wave of popularity is collagen supplements. Collagen Peptides are now available to buy in many places and have been considered to be “thorough beauty products”. This is due to their reported abilities to naturally strengthen skin, hair, nails and support complete personal well-being. The question is, do they really work?
What is Collagen?
Collagen is one of the most abundantly produced proteins in our bodies and is located in the bones, skin, muscles, hair, tendons, and even in the digestive system. It works like ‘glue’ and helps to hold the body together.
There are several ways it has been proven to benefit our bodies beyond just superficial beautification. For instance, it is known to strengthen our blood vessels and improve elasticity.
How does it work?
To understand whether or not these supplements really work, it is vital to first understand role collagen plays in our body’s well-being.
The production of collagen in the body starts to decrease as we age. This natural process is what causes the visible signs of ageing. These include sagging skin, wrinkles and joint pains.
Collagen-related ailments are generally caused by a combo of genetic defects and nutritional deficiencies. Low intake of natural collagen, along with digestive issues can affect the body’s capability to produce collagen naturally.
Some other lifestyle factors like smoking, excessive sugar intake and exposure to too much direct sunlight may also contribute to the depletion of collagen levels in the body. These can leave us feeling and looking older than what we actually are.
Natural Collagen Supplements
Collagen is naturally derived from connective tissue and bones of animals like cows, pigs, chickens and fish. It is also found in eggs, beans and dairy products. Traditionally, several cultures obtained high amounts of collagen from their diet which basically included meals like stews and bone broths.
Organic bone broths are still considered to be the most effective means to boost collagen intake. These come highly recommended if you have enough time to prepare them. If not, there are high quality sourced natural collagen supplements that are often considered the best means to keep the body’s collagen levels at par.
Marine Collagen and Hydrolised Collagen
When it comes to determining how beneficial collagen is – you must know that not all products are created equal. Marine collagen is considered as the most bio-available form of collagen, which is being absorbed up to 1.5 times more effectively into the body than any of the other forms available.
Marine collagen enjoys superior bio-availability which is attributed to its lower molecular size and weight. This allows the collagen to be ingested at a much higher level through our intestines. This helps the Collagen access the bloodstream which can then be distributed throughout the body. This helps boost collagen synthesis in the skin, bones, tissues and various other vital body parts.
Hydrolised supplements are basically collagen supplements made available in the form of powder. These are made up of collagen protein and hydrolyzed collagen peptides. Collagen peptides are a chain of collagen molecules that are worn-out through a process known as hydrolysis, making it easier and quicker for the body to absorb.
If you consider taking marine collagen as a supplement, then it can greatly help boost your body’s natural collagen production. It can also help replenish the collagen that you may have lost as part of the ageing process.
Collagen Supplements, are they worth it?
Are they the secret to eternal youth? No, they are not. However, they can assist in slowing down the ageing process by providing your body with the ingredients it requires to keep your skin looking supple, strengthen your joints and improve circulation. It can also help to balance some of the negative effects of a lifestyle that involves smoking, eating too much sugar and over exposure to the sun.
Like any other supplement it shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for living healthy and eating the right things. It should be included as part of a programme which includes exercise and a balanced diet.
Choosing the right collagen supplement
There are several brands out there that create amazing supplements. However, when it comes to picking the best collagen supplement, ensure to research as much as you can about its origins, as well as, the ethos of the company that makes it.
Health trends keep varying, but the most effective products are the ones that help fill in the nutritional gaps that our modern lifestyle choices create. Superior quality collagen supplements are considered to be an effective and safe approach to this. They will ensure that your body is getting the sufficient amount of essential proteins it requires to keep you looking young and vibrant!
Author Profile
Jay Kerson is a blogger who writes about Cannabidiol and health. Jay has chosen these subjects because they want to make sure everyone gets the chance to learn about how they can lead a healthier lifestyle.