What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that is found in our body’s connective tissues, including skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. It is the most abundant protein in our body, making up around 30% of the total protein content. Collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and elasticity of our skin. It is often referred to as the “glue” that holds the body together.
What are the Types of Collagen?
There are 28 different types of collagen, but the majority of collagen in our body falls under three main types.
- Type I collagen is the most abundant and is found in the skin, bones, and tendons.
- Type II collagen is found in cartilage.
- Type III collagen is found in skin, blood vessels, and internal organs.
What Benefits Does Collagen Have for the Skin?
- Collagen is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin.
- It provides structural support, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has various skin benefits.
- Collagen also helps to improve skin hydration, which is essential for keeping our skin looking plump and firm.
- In addition, collagen can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks by strengthening the skin’s connective tissues.
What is the Role of Collagen in Anti-Aging?
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen resulting in loss of skin elasticity and appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The breakdown of collagen also leads to reduction in bone density, joint pain, and other age-related issues. Food and supplements that help in building collagen can slow down the aging process by increasing collagen levels in our body and help in improving skin texture, reduction of wrinkles, and increase bone density.
How to get Collagen?
It is believed that eating meat, like chicken, fish and beef, helps in raising collagen levels in people. Due to the way our body digests and breaks down dietary collagen into specific amino acids, studies show that scientists are unsure whether regularly consuming meat that is high in collagen would truly cause our bodies to experience the benefits of higher collagen. Supplements may be a more effective strategy to raise collagen levels. This is due to the collagen component having undergone hydrolysis and being easier to absorb.
What is the Process of Making Collagen?
Collagen is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Our body produces collagen naturally, but collagen supplements are typically made from animal sources such as cows, pigs, or fish. The process involves extracting collagen from the animal’s skin or bones and processing it into a powder or liquid form. However, there aren’t enough studies proving the benefits of collagen produced from animals. Moreover, the fact that every human body type is different and reacts differently to various ingredients, the majority of collagen supplements lack sufficient scientific support. The best way to maintain the body’s collagen production is to supplement our diet with proper nutrients, as their consumption enhances the body’s inherent capacity to produce collagen.
Safety and Side Effects Considerations
Some people may experience an allergic reaction to the animal source of the collagen. Animal based collagen supplements can also cause digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea. It is advisable to choose vegan collagen builder made with natural real food ingredients for best skincare results.
Building Natural Collagen For Skin:
Ceramides:
Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids found in the skin that play a crucial role in maintaining its barrier function. Have also been shown to aid in the production of collagen, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. It help to regulate the production of collagen by signalling the cells responsible for its synthesis to produce more of it. In addition, ceramides also help to protect collagen from damage caused by environmental factors such as UV radiation and pollution, which can accelerate the aging process. Ceramides are frequently found in eggs, dairy, soybeans, spinach, and brown rice. Ceramides from Konjac roots are extracted to produce Glycosylceramides, in our 100% natural collagen builder.
Antioxidants help in boosting collagen:
Antioxidants compounds help to protect our skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to collagen breakdown and premature aging. These compounds help to stimulate the production of collagen by supporting the cells responsible for its synthesis. By supporting the production and protection of collagen, antioxidants can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Blueberries, pomegranates, basil, oregano, and thyme essential oils are a few typical sources. Our 100% plant based collagen supplement contains melon fruit extract, which is a great source of Superoxide Dismutase, the body’s most potent antioxidant enzyme. Flavanols, which are plant-based compounds found in foods like cocoa, tea, and berries, have been shown to build the production of collagen. Flavanols can help by stimulating collagen synthesis and protecting existing collagen from damage.
The right dose of Vitamin E:
Sunflower seed oil can improve our natural skin barrier, encouraging the production of collagen, and protection of skin from photodamage and photoaging. In our plant based collagen builder, sunflower seed oil extracts are present and they help in building Vitamin E.
Vitamin C and Zinc filled diet:
A rich diet filled with nutrients is essential for building natural collagen. Vitamin C and zinc are believed to be foods high in collagen building. In our vegan collagen builder, vitamin C, naturally occurring from organic Amla fruit extracts in addition to Zinc, naturally occurring from guava fruit extracts are present. Oranges, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli and sprouts, are common sources of Vitamin C.
Vitamin K2 and D3
Vitamin K2 and D3 work together to boost collagen production in our body. K2 activates a protein that helps bind calcium to bones and connective tissue, while Vitamin D3 aids in the absorption of calcium. Collagen, which is important for healthy skin, bones, and joints, is dependent on adequate calcium levels. In our vegan collagen builder, we have plant based Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) and natural fermented strain of bacillus subtilis providing active form Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
Tips for Finding the Right Collagen Supplement
When choosing a collagen supplement, there are a few key factors to consider.
- First, look for a high-quality source of collagen builder
- Next, if you’re vegan or simply want to avoid animal based ingredients, look for supplements that are vegan in nature.
- Also, do check the ingredients in the supplement and the synergistic effect they can provide to you, such as vitamins or minerals.
- Lastly, we often correlate the quality of the product to its price. However, at times quality does come with a price.
In conclusion, collagen is an essential protein that plays a vital role in maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin. Collagen supplements can help to increase collagen levels in our body, improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. When choosing a collagen building supplement, it is important to consider the quality of the source, the method of processing, and any additional ingredients included in the supplement. By incorporating natural collagen building supplements into our skincare routine, a healthy, glowing skin can be maintained.