Top Benefits of Collagen for your Body
Collagen has become extremely popular in every health discussion. You know those tubs of powdered collagen or creams claiming to turn back the clock on your youth? Yeah, they're hard to miss in the store. But if we just ignore the marketing and ask the real question, it would be - what are the top 10 collagen-rich foods?
You might have definitely heard people go on about collagen when it comes to skincare and the ongoing battle against ageing. This protein is great if you want to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Collagen doesn’t just work for your skin but also for your bones, tendons, and ligaments. It’s the building material holding up different parts of your body. It goes beyond appearances, it makes you feel fantastic from the inside out.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body. These proteins form a mesh of fibers that help provide support and flexibility to the body’s tissues and form key components that lead to healthy muscle, skin, bones and tendons. The name "collagen" is derived from the Greek word "kolla," which means glue. It allows tissues to stretch and be flexible. Remarkably, approximately one-third of the protein composition in your body is accounted for by collagen.
Fun Fact: Collagen makes up 75 percent of skin’s support structure.
Types of collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It plays an essential role in maintaining structure, mobility, and youthful vibrancy. Understanding the different types of collagen and their functions can provide valuable insights into our overall health and well-being.
Collagen Types
Type I: This type of collagen constitutes 90% of the collagen present in the body. It provides strength and structural support to bones, tendons, and skin.
Type II: This type of collagen is found in elastic cartilage. It ensures smooth joint movement and acts as a shock absorber. It’s present between the vertebrae and protects them from friction and enables pain-free mobility.
Type III: Found in the muscles, organs and blood vessels, this type of collagen provides tissue cohesion and integrity. It helps in strengthening and supporting vital structures.
Type IV: This type of collagen forms a thin layer below the skin. It ensures good things enter and harmful substances stay out of the body.
Type V: This type of collagen works with Type I in the skin dermis and cornea to maintain structure and transparency. It also helps in placental development and cell membrane functions.
Top Benefits of Collagen for Body
As you age, your body’s ability to produce collagen lowers and the existing collagen breaks down at a faster rate. Women experience a significant reduction in collagen production after menopause. After the age of 60, it’s normal for everyone to experience a decline in collagen production.
Collagen can have positive impacts on your overall health. It isn’t just responsible for making you look young and vibrant, it does a lot for the overall health of the body.
- Improves Hair, Skin, Teeth, and Nails: Collagen works wonders in strengthening these features, contributing to a more vibrant appearance. It tackles issues like wrinkles, loose skin, and even stretch marks, leaving your skin firmer and smoother.
- Heals Leaky Gut: If you're dealing with a leaky gut, where harmful toxins pass through your digestive tract, collagen is a potential ally. It helps seal your intestines, aiding in the healing process. This is especially beneficial for those with inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Reduces Joint Pain and Inflammation: Think of collagen as the lubrication for your joints, providing smooth movement for ligaments and tendons. The lack of collagen can lead to swollen and painful joints. Studies suggest that collagen may alleviate pain associated with osteoarthritis.
- Improves Metabolism and Muscle Mass: Collagen contains glycine, an amino acid that not only converts glucose into energy but also contributes to building lean muscle. More lean muscle means a faster metabolism, and combining collagen with vitamin C enhances this process.
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Liver Support and Detox: The presence of glycine in collagen plays a protective role for your liver, shielding it from toxins and aiding in the repair of any existing damage.
- Improves Heart Health: Proline, another component of collagen, shows promise in repairing arteries and clearing fat deposits. Additionally, it has been associated with lowering blood pressure.
Incorporating collagen into your routine
Incorporating collagen into your routine can bring about a range of health benefits, addressing both external aesthetics and internal well-being.
Wondering how to incorporate collagen into your routine? There are several simple ways to do it:
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Include Collagen-Rich Foods: Boost your collagen intake by consuming foods rich in protein, such as beef, chicken, fish, and eggshell membranes. Bone broth is another excellent dietary source of collagen.
- Consider Collagen Supplements: If getting enough collagen from food is a challenge, you can turn to supplements. These are available in powder or capsule form, with a wide variety on the market. Collagen powder easily dissolves into beverages like tea, soups, smoothies, or even baked goods.
Adding collagen to your diet can be a straightforward process, offering flexibility in how you choose to incorporate it. Whether through food or collagen supplements, you have options to suit your preferences.
If you're looking for a collagen supplement that promotes healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints, then Collagen Pro-x is a great option. Available on Rawafed Pharma, their collagen products include Collagen Pro-x Skin, Hair & Nails Tablet, Collagen Pro-x Hair Capsule, Collagen Pro-x Hair Shampoo, and Collagen Pro-x Face Anti Wrinkle Cream with Ylang Ylang essential oil. Their unique pharmaceutical grade formula gives glowing and radiating beauty with a combination of natural ingredients, which contribute synergistically to preserve the maintenance of normal body Collagen formation.