WE'VE GOT THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE FOR YOUR BODY
Collagen is one of the most talked about supplements on the market right now, but how much do you know about what collagen actually is in its natural form? Perhaps you’ve done your research and you’re already on the buzz, maybe you’ve just heard a lot about it on social media and are curious to know what the big deal is. Either way, it’s important to know the ins and outs before you look at investing your hard-earned money. We’ve outlined the basics to get you started (or refresh your memory!)
WHAT IS COLLAGEN, ANYWAY?
We naturally produce collagen – in fact, it is the most abundant protein found in the body. Think of it as the glue that holds your bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments together. Pretty important, right?
But from around the age of 25, these stores start to drop dramatically, which can result in some of the first signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles, brittle or weak nails and hair, and even issues with joint mobility.
Collagen is also essential for good gut health and healing, promoting sleep, supporting the cardiovascular system and nervous system, bowel regularity, liver detoxification and the growth of lean muscle mass. So helping our bodies to keep producing collagen efficiently isn’t just about improving the way we look, but how we feel too.
“Think of it as the glue that holds your bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments together.”
WHAT ARE THE BEST SOURCES OF COLLAGEN?
Back in the old days, we used to eat all parts of an animal – even the bones – but our modern Western diets tend to focus mainly on the tissue, AKA meat, which means we’ve stopped ingesting an essential source of collagen.
That’s right, animal, fish and egg products are the best way to get collagen into your diet through food, but the advancements in collagen supplements available on the market today mean it’s even easier to get your collagen fix in tablet and powder form.
If you’re after a flavourless, odourless form of collagen to add to water, juice, smoothies, coffee or tea, Adashiko’s Collagen Powder ULTRA is a fantastic option.
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS VEGAN COLLAGEN?
Since collagen is not found in plants, but the connective tissue of animals and humans, you’ll find most collagen supplements on the market are derived from bovine (cows) or marine (fish) sources. Therefore, it’s impossible to have a ‘plant-based’ or vegan form of collagen. The good news for vegans and vegetarians is, you can take other supplements or eat certain non-animal derived foods to help boost your own collagen production instead.
These include vitamin C, which is great for protecting your collagen stores and helping to build new collagen (so meat eaters, get on this buzz too!). Foods like broccoli, strawberries, capsicum and citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C.
The amino acids proline, glycine and lysine also help with the body’s natural collagen production so up your intake of asparagus, mushrooms and cabbage for proline, beans, nuts and seeds for glycine, and legumes for lysine.
The Advanced Nutrition Programme’s Skin Collagen Support is suitable for vegans and vegetarians and contains vitamin C, zinc, MSM (a water soluble nutrient which helps relieve joint pain and inflammation), grapeseed extract and melon concentrate to help build and safeguard collagen production.
HOW ELSE CAN I PROTECT MY COLLAGEN LEVELS?
Aside from eating the right foods and supplementation, there are a few more things you can do to help protect your body’s collagen production. Avoid eating too much sugar and refined carbs as these can interfere with collagen repair and regeneration. Ultraviolet radiation is another enemy of collagen so avoid excessive sun exposure (which you’re probably already doing if you live in New Zealand, let’s be honest!)
And another no brainer, but smoking is a big no-no as it reduces collagen production, inhibits the body’s ability to heal itself and of course, will increase the appearance of wrinkles and poor skin condition.
If you have any questions regarding our collagen support products, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.
