Why are collagen supplements suddenly everywhere?

The reasons are endless! 

In the world of health and wellness, collagen is one of the hottest topics lately. It can be difficult to find information about collagen, its benefits, and how to use it amidst all of this collagen buzz. In this article, we'll talk about collagen and why incorporating collagen into your diet may be beneficial.

Collagen: what is it? 

Collagen is a substance that your body naturally produces? It is the most abundant protein in the human body. A naturally occurring protein, collagen provides structure and strength to your bones, muscles, teeth, and skin. Collagen is often referred to as the glue that holds your body together. How does taking a collagen supplement differ from taking collagen naturally in the body? Collagen supplements are proteins that are broken down into smaller peptides for ease of absorption. These essentially provide your body with the glue immediately instead of requiring your body to produce it.

How does collagen benefit the body?

 Benefits include: Healthier gut. Collagen helps those with leaky gut syndrome, aids in water absorption within the intestines, and promotes regularity. 

 Healthier nails, skin, and hair. By improving skin elasticity and cell turnover, collagen supplements have been shown to prevent aging skin. Giving your skin a smooth, firm glow while repairing and renewing it. The health of your nails and hair can also be improved by collagen. 

 Pain relief for joints. Joint problems such as swelling, stiffness, and pain may be relieved by collagen. 

 A new source of protein. There is a significant amount of protein in collagen supplements.

Other potential benefits include: 

 Boosted immunity Cellulite and stretch marks can be reduced 

 Metabolic rate increases 

 Muscle mass increased 

 Healthier liver Improved blood sugar balance

How can I include collagen in my diet? 

 Over time, our bodies will lose collagen, but here are a few ways to first slow the process, and then eventually incorporate supplements. 

When you consume a diet rich in vitamins C, copper, and vitamin A, along with glycine and proline, you increase collagen production and receive the benefits discussed above. Include more foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, salmon, tuna, broccoli, nuts and seeds, beans, spinach, asparagus, cabbage, and grass-fed meats. 

Furthermore, avoiding smoking, excessive UV exposure, and high sugar diets will benefit your body in the long term. 

While adjusting your diet and lifestyle should come first, incorporating a collagen supplement can be extremely beneficial. Because collagen production decreases with age, supplementing at any age can be beneficial. A collagen supplement can be taken as a powder, pill, or even infused drink. Collagen comes in many forms, such as beef, marine, chicken, and vegan. However, not all collagen is created equal! The highest quality bovine collagen is powder-form, made from grass-fed cows and containing no fillers. With collagen peptides, you can add a spoonful of collagen to a variety of recipes without even noticing.