Collagen is an abundant protein in the body and has been used for centuries to boost health and beauty. However, it’s not just a popular trend – there are many scientifically-proven benefits of incorporating collagen into your daily routine. Natural collagen offers many miraculous health benefits, from improving skin elasticity to reducing signs of ageing. Thankfully, nature has provided us with a miracle solution: natural collagen. This article will explore how natural collagen can reverse the effects of ageing, improve skin elasticity, and reduce joint pain while providing other health benefits.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that comprises three polypeptide chains that form a triple helix shape, giving collagen its strength and flexibility. In addition to being found in connective tissue throughout the body, it can also be found in the eye’s cornea and the lining of joints.
Natural Sources of Collagen
Foods high in vitamin C are essential for producing collagen, such as citrus fruits, bell peppers and kiwi. Antioxidant-rich foods like green tea, berries and dark leafy greens help protect collagen from damage caused by toxins in the environment. Eating grass-fed beef or wild-caught fish provides glycine, which helps build the connective tissues in bones and joints. Bone broth is an excellent source of type I and type III collagen that can easily be incorporated into soups or sauces.
Top 5 Natural Collagen Supplements
Here are the top five natural products you should consider adding to your daily routine.
- Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate: an unflavored powder made with grass-fed cows that mix easily into liquids or foods. Its unique hydrolyzed formula allows it to absorb quickly into the body, making it ideal for those who don’t like swallowing pills.
- Marine Collagen Powder: This all-natural option is derived from sustainably sourced fish scales and contains more than 19 amino acids that provide deep hydration while promoting cellular repair.
- NeoCell Super Collagen Powder: This product contains 6,000mg of hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides per serving plus 18 amino acids that help support your skin’s elasticity and reduce wrinkles.
- Lysine & Proline Complex Tablets: This supplement contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives, making it safe and effective. The tablets dissolve quickly in water, so they’re easy to take daily with meals or snacks.
- Bovine Collagen Peptides Powder: As an animal-based product, bovine collagen peptides powder helps boost your body’s natural collagen production by providing 18 essential amino acids. It’s especially beneficial if you want to improve your joint health or reduce joint pain due to arthritis.
Types of Natural Collagen; Bovine Collagen & Marine Collagen
Here we will explore the two most popular kinds – bovine collagen and marine collagen.
Bovine collagen is made from cows or other bovine sources such as buffalo or oxen. It contains high levels of proline and hydroxyproline amino acids which help to stimulate cell regeneration for healthier-looking skin. Additionally, bovine collagen may help reduce inflammation associated with joint pain or muscle soreness.
Marine collagen is extracted from scaled fish such as cod, halibut or haddock. This type of collagen contains a high concentration of amino acids easily absorbed by the body to reduce wrinkles. Marine collagen may also help to support healthy digestion, boost energy levels and strengthen immunity due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, marine collagen can be used for muscle growth and repair after exercise because it helps with muscle protein synthesis, leading to faster recovery.
Differences between Bovine and Marine Collagen
While collagen is present in both bovine and marine sources, there are some notable differences.
Bovine collagen comes from cattle and contains more essential amino acids than other sources of collagen. This type of collagen is known for restoring damaged organs and reducing inflammation. Additionally, bovine collagen may have anti-aging benefits, such as reducing wrinkles and increasing skin elasticity. While Marine collagen typically comes from fish scales or skin that has been specially treated to remove any toxins or pollutants that may be present in the ocean environment.
Bovine collagen is known for supporting healthy joints and bones due to its high levels of type I and III collagen. It’s composed of long-chain amino acids, which are beneficial for repairing skin issues like wrinkles or acne scars. Marine collagen contains type I & II collagens and shorter-chain peptides that are better absorbed by the body than those found in bovine sources, and it has been linked to improved hair, nail, joint and skin health.
Benefits of Natural Collagen
Here are some of the significant health benefits associated with the intake of natural collagen:
Collagen helps the body produce new cells and repair existing ones to keep skin youthful. It also helps to reduce inflammation caused by environmental stressors like pollution or sun exposure while protecting against further damage from UV radiation. Additionally, it can help to improve hydration levels in the skin by increasing water retention capacity; this reduces dryness and increases the suppleness of the dermal layer of our epidermis.
Hair & Nails
Natural collagen sources come from dairy products, lean meats, nuts and leafy green vegetables. These sources contain many vital nutrients that directly influence the health of our hair and nails, such as protein, biotin, vitamin C, iron and zinc. Regularly eating these foods can give your body the necessary building blocks for creating strong hair and nails by supplying essential vitamins and minerals that encourage growth.
Joints & Bones
Supplementing with natural collagen has been proven to improve joint comfort by reducing stiffness, tenderness, and pain associated with aging and overuse conditions such as arthritis. In addition, increasing natural collagen intake may help reduce the risk of bone mineral density loss due to age-related conditions like osteoporosis. Studies have also shown that natural collagen increases muscle mass which helps strengthen bones by providing additional support against fractures or injuries.
Digestive System
Natural collagen helps restore balance in the digestive tract by supporting the regular movement of food through the gut. It also helps maintain an optimal pH level in the stomach, promoting a healthy microbiome environment. Additionally, natural collagen encourages the absorption of nutrients from food, so you get more out of what you eat. Finally, by aiding digestion this way, natural collagen can help reduce inflammation associated with certain digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Health Risks of Synthetic Collagen
While natural collagen aids overall health, synthetic collagen can negatively impact an individual’s health. Synthetic collagen is used in cosmetics and dietary supplements, but it can cause inflammation and other problems when consumed or applied to the skin.
The consumption of synthetic collagen may lead to allergic reactions such as hives, itching, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. These allergic reactions could be severe enough to require medical attention. Additionally, long-term use of these products has been linked to digestive issues such as nausea or diarrhea.
Furthermore, topical application may cause redness and irritation at first use due to its artificial components, which are not found naturally in our bodies.
Conclusion: Let’s Embrace Nature
In conclusion, natural collagen can be a powerful tool for maintaining health and beauty. It helps us fight aging signs, support joint health, foster healthy digestion, and increase energy levels. We no longer rely on artificial ingredients as nature has provided us with its miracle solution. By understanding the many benefits of natural collagen, we can ensure that we stay healthy while also taking care of the environment. So let’s embrace nature and take advantage of this fantastic natural resource!