What is Collagen you ask?! Why is everyone talking about it?
Collagen is a protein – the most abundant protein in the body.
It accounts for a third of the protein in our bodies, and seventy percent of the protein in our skin.
Collagen is derived from the Greek word “kolla” meaning glue. It holds us together - it gives structure to our hair, skin, nails, bones, ligaments and tendons 1.
It is rich in the amino acids that help you body make MORE collagen (namely glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline) 2. Collagen that has undergone hydrolysis becomes hydrolyzed collagen (AKA Collagen Peptides), this process breaks the amino acids down into tiny particles that makes them incredibly easy to absorb. Our body has many types of collagen but 80 to 90 percent are types I, II, and III.
Collagen is beneficial for:
Hair (helps your hair shine)
Skin (glow, elasticity & reducing signs of aging)
Nails (helps nails stay strong)
Joint, ligament & tendon health (helps keep joints flexible)
Improving digestion (helps heal and seal the gut, helpful for leaky gut and IBD)
Protein source (Foreverly Collagen is 97% protein by weight!).
It is important to note that these amino acids are not present in muscle meats, they come from bones, skin, and cartilage (cows, fish, pigs, and chickens). But you don’t have to gnaw on bones and cartilage to get your collagen anymore; you can take a collagen supplement. When choosing a collagen supplement aim for grass fed, pasture raised, and hormone & antibiotic free.
References:
1 https://www.news-medical.net/health/Collagen-Uses.aspx
2 https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Collagen.aspx