Your Essential Guide to Collagen
Now, I’m sure you’ve all heard something about collagen, especially those of us concerned with aging skin or joint pain or even muscle recovery after a workout.
Here are a few of my favorite collagen products from my favorite place to shop; Amazon!
Love these Physicians Choice products because they’re effective. I take the probiotics as well as the peptides on a daily basis. Probiotics help regulate my gut. As I’ve gotten older, certain foods just randomly trigger bloat, but these probiotics really help.
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Collagen is a protein that makes up our connective tissue which includes our skin, muscle and bones. Since collagen is in a complex form, it can’t be readily digestible. Cue in the collagen peptides.
Collagen peptides are the result of collagen being broken down into amino acids, which, are simpler forms of protein. And you guessed, can be digested and absorbed more readily through the bloodstream. Now don’t get me wrong, the protein we eat does break down into collagen but as we age that process isn’t as efficient, therefore we’re not getting enough of that essential element in our body.
What does collagen do that benefits us overall?
Better skin elasticity, hydration and lessens the appearance of wrinkles and cellulite.
Supports bone health.
Helps with brittle and peeling nails.
Lessens joint pain and inflammation.
May reset our microbiome in our gut.
What are some of the ways we can get more collagen into our bodies to reap those benefits?
Drink bone broth. There are quite a few bone broth “soups” on supermarket shelves as of late. Unfortunately, they are loaded with sodium. I make my own beef bone broth. Homemade is always the better option!
Another bone broth option if you don’t want to make it or the store-bought ones have too much sodium, you can purchase from Dr Kellyann. Her products are wonderful and she is committed to clean eating. She has bone broth packets that can be found on Amazon. This is great if you would like to have them for lunch. Just add hot water.
Speaking of homemade, eating a well-rounded diet consisting of chicken, fish, leafy greens and foods that consist of collagen absorbing vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, copper and zinc.
Supplements. Supplements can come in capsule form, as a powder for shakes or smoothies, in protein bars, in fortified water. So, you see the options are endless. Two brands of bars we use in our house are the Pure Protein bars and Think!. Pure Protein bars are low in sugar, have 20 grams of protein and are gluten free. I eat one after a workout.
On non-workout days I usually do have a protein drink. My two favorites are Fairlife and Atkins. I find that neither of them have that chalky aftertaste. For those on Keto, Atkins is gluten free and Keto friendly.
Collagen Peptides are probably one of the most popular forms of collagen. I’ve been using Physician’s Choice for over three years. I mix it in my coffee every morning. I’ve tried other collagen peptides but always go back to Physician's Choice. It’s a quality product that has a 99% absorption rate and have clinical results to back it up. Their product is gluten-free, Keto friendly and Paleo friendly.
What are the different types of Collagen?
Beef. Obviously, this is from cows. Provides collagen mostly found in the human body. Helps with muscle building as well as helping our body make collagen.
Chicken. Collagan from chicken helps with joint health.
Fish. Collagen from fish sources is the most easily absorbed. The joints, skin, blood vessels and vital organs benefit from fish collagen.
No side effects to be noted by taking collagen. Before taking any supplement always read labels just to make sure you don’t have any allergies to any of the ingredients, let’s say, in the protein bar, which may be made in a factory that processes nuts.
To Sum it all up
Collagen is an essential nutrient for our skin, muscles, joints and bones. As we age, our bodies don’t make the same amount of collagen so we rely on other sources such as supplements and making sure we eat a diet rich in lean protein, fruit and vegetables.
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