Are you looking to maximize your collagen intake to reap all its amazing health benefits, but you’re not sure where to begin? Look no further: our ultimate guide to Collagen will give you all you need to know!
Contents
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein, a major component of connective tissues like skin, muscles and tendons. It’s number one in the body and is responsible for ensuring our tissues have the strength and flexibility to move and stretch without breaking. The protein is made up of three strands of amino acids, which are linked together to form a triple helix. As we age, our collagen production naturally slows down, causing wrinkles, reduced elasticity and a decrease in muscle mass. This is why supplementing collagen is so important for maintaining healthy skin and joints, especially as we age.
Benefits of Collagen
Adding collagen to your diet doesn’t just make your skin look great and improve joint flexibility; it also offers many other health benefits. Collagen is an important component of digestive health, as it helps digestion and helps your body absorb valuable nutrients. It also supports strong bones and joint health, builds muscle and helps balance hormones.
Collagen Sources
Food sources of collagen are limited, but you can increase your intake through supplements. Animal-based collagen is extracted from hides, bones and fish, while plant-based collagen is based on yeast extract and peptides from wheat, corn and soy. Animal collagen is particularly popular as it’s a complete, easily-absorbed form of the protein, and it’s thus often included in skincare products.
When and How to Take Collagen Supplements
Most supplement manufacturers recommend taking collagen in the morning or before bed. Taking it before bed or in the morning may counteract the decrease in collagen production from a night’s sleep or from fasting (if you practice intermittent fasting). Additionally, collagen is best absorbed when taken with food and liquid, so it’s important to ensure you are taking it alongside your meals.
The Benefits of Collagen Beyond Skin Health and Muscle Mass
When supplementing with collagen, it’s important to take a wider view of the benefits. Collagen helps with digestive health, improved wound healing and more. Thanks to its peptides, collagen can help strengthen bones, keep your joints healthy and even balance hormones. As you can see, the benefits of supplementing with collagen extend far beyond better skin and muscle mass.
Conclusion
Collagen plays an important role in our body’s overall health. Supplementing with collagen can help keep our tissues strong and flexible, as well as provide many other amazing health benefits. This Ultimate Guide to Collagen has given you a comprehensive overview of what collagen is, its benefits, sources and when and how to take it.
Keywords: Collagen, Benefits, Sources, Ultimate Guide, Skin Health, Muscle Mass, Hormones, Digestive Health, Wound Healing.
