Gina Speed
Fighting the effects of aging one pill at a time! Since I eat a high-protein diet, I became intrigued with the health (and beauty) benefits of collagen. I started taking a supplement 2 months ago and have been impressed with results! Learn more about the key building block to the health of your hair, skin, joints, and nails.
Collagen: KIT – Keep it Together
In layman’s terms, think of a building under construction. Collagen is like the scaffolding that provides strength and structure. It’s a spandex-like protein that makes up one-third of the protein in your body. When skin starts to sag, it’s not gravity’s fault. It’s actually a loss of the stretch factor that comes from collagen’s elasticity. Time to put on your Spidey suit!
Aging Gracefully
Once you hit your 30s, your metabolism starts to slow down. Losing collagen synthesis is like wearing out the springs in a mattress. Have you read our articles on the skin benefits of Vitamin C serum and Retinol? They definitely help with the top layer of your skin. The stretchy protein works the middle layer and thankfully, can be restored.
Skip the Lotions
Although it works to rebuild connective tissue, it works from the inside out. Collagen is too large to be absorbed through the skin. It’s best to help your own body produce the binding protein through diet or supplements. Face taking a hit? You can also get cosmetic injections to plump up depressed areas and create volume. Check out our article on Botox and Dysport for more information.
Start With Diet
As always, we prefer to find the vitamins and minerals we need through diet. Foods that support collagen formation include: egg whites, cabbage, berries, citrus fruits, shellfish, and red meat. Bone broth has been a fad, but read up on it before you spend the money. My understanding is that eating egg whites and red meat is more effective. The nutrients you receive from the protein is helpful to bone and joint health as well. Amino acids help balance hormone levels and support the body’s natural hormone production.
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Things to Avoid
The protein grid also coats the digestive tract and can improve digestion. The effects are subtle, but noticeable!
There are also dietary and environmental factors that can damage collagen production. Avoid high sugar consumption, smoking, and excessive sun exposure.
Supplements
Once you hit your 40s, it might be more difficult for your body to absorb nutrients properly. Taking a collagen supplement helps your body replace what it loses through aging. I found a nice big jar of youtheory Collagen Advanced Formula tablets at Costco. The vitamins are kind of big, so I take all 6 –
two at a time – with breakfast. Gulp, gulp, gulp and I’m done. After about a month, I really started seeing a difference!
Supp-Le-Ment
Health trends come and go, so it’s most important to fill dietary gaps with the right foods. A collagen supplement is not a miracle worker! Since I eat a high-protein diet, a supplement helps my body absorb the nutrients more effectively. Take a look at some of our favorite skillet breakfast recipes for more inspiration. Likewise, these avocado toast ideas are another way to help your body better absorb nutrients. It’s all about achieving balance. The effects of those little horse pills are just the cherry on top!