Collagen has a long history as a purported cure-all, especially in Eastern cultures. For centuries, Chinese women have consumed collagen-rich foods to smooth skin and ease symptoms of aging. Collagen hit the west in the 1980s, when it became popular as an injectable filler to plump lips and soften lines.
But recently, we’re seeing more and more products touting the benefits of collagen for all kinds of health woes. Read on if you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I be taking collagen?”
What Is Collagen?
Made up of amino acids, collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. There are multiple kinds of collagen proteins produced in the body, but the most common and beneficial are Types 1 through 3:
- Type 1: Good for bones, teeth and skin
- Type 2: Offers structural support in cartilage
- Type 3: Builds muscle, skin and healthy blood vessels
Why Is Collagen Important?
While collagen initially became popular to ease fine lines and wrinkles, it has a lot of other benefits. First, collagen helps to form clusters of cells called fibroblasts. These fibroblasts help new cells grow while replacing dead cells in the body.
Collagen is also an important component of healthy connective tissue, decreasing joint pain in people with arthritis and other similar conditions and should be part of your regenerative medicine in Springfield Missouri. Collagen has several other notable benefits:
- Fends off muscle wasting
- Helps with hair growth and wound healing
- Relieves inflammation, improving overall gut health
How Can I Ingest Collagen?
While the human body naturally produces collagen, collagen production does decline as we age. In addition to routine collagen loss from aging, high sugar intake can deplete collagen, as can too much sun exposure. Smoking and second-hand smoke can also damage collagen.
So, what’s the best way to make sure you’re getting enough collagen? Collagen is best absorbed orally, and there are a lot of options. From collagen powders to fruity chews to protein-packed bone broth, it’s hard to know which collagen products are right for you.
How Do I Choose a Collagen Powder?
Collagen has not been FDA approved as a remedy, so it’s extremely important to look for a reputable brand of collagen that uses third party testing. At Kare Health and Wellness, we’re big fans of a collagen powder produced by Orthomolecular.
It contains FORTIGEL (Collagen Hydrolysate), which is made up of bioactive collagen peptides that make up connective tissue. FORTIGEL also helps to synthesize a protein called aggrecan, which plays an important role in cartilage elasticity and supports tendons and ligaments. Orthomolecular collagen powder is great for several other reasons:
- It contains MOBILEE (Hyaluronic Acid Extract), which promotes the viscoelastic and lubricating properties of synovial fluid in the body
- It contains TendoActive (Type 1 Collagen and Mucopolysaccharides), which is a type of collagen that has been shown to strengthen tendons and ligaments for improved flexing, stretching and bending.
- Finally, it contains mucopolysaccharides, which have been shown to increase collagen and non-collagenous protein synthesis.
So, should you be taking collagen? It certainly has a wide range of benefits, making it a great supplement for nearly all patients. It’s also easy to consume – just take one scoop of Orthomolecular collagen powder daily in a warm or cold beverage.
Keep in mind that collagen is not an overnight fix. It often takes consistent daily use for several months before you’ll notice any benefits. Still, it’s a great part of a long-term regimen for health and wellness in Springfield Missouri.
Curious about collagen? Reach out to Kare Health and Wellness at 417-881-4994. Our goal is twofold: to improve your immediate health and prevent future health issues through functional medicine.
