The power of collagen
The beauty industry has been built around the notion of
eternal youth; men and women alike, we all want to look young and healthy for as
long as possible. While the trend of past years has been to fight ageing from
the outside with the use of topical creams and cosmetics, the new emergence of
supplements to promote beauty from the inside out has now turned into a
multibillion dollar market. Everything from garlic capsules to antioxidant
drinks have been promoted as the new way to turn back the clock, but the
popularity of the body’s most vital protein collagen has spurred a revolution in
the anti-ageing industry. With Hollywood celebrities like
Jennifer Aniston and
Lucy Liu promoting the beneficial effects of taking a collagen supplement, this
is one form of anti-ageing treatment that is sure to grow in popularity in the
future.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most vital and prevalent form of protein in
the body. It builds skin, hair, bones and teeth while also providing skeletal
and muscular support - our bodies could not function without it. The main
component of our largest organ (skin) is made primarily of collagen which helps
to keep it soft and supple.
Why do we need collagen
supplements?
After the age of 25, we lose our collagen at the rate of 1.5%
a year. That means that by the age of 35, the body has lost 15% of its collagen
stores. This loss results in the appearance of lines and wrinkles,
cellulite and duller hair, while joint pain and
weight gain can increase. It is thought that by ingesting collagen, the body’s
stores can be replenished, thus becoming an effective
anti aging treatment.
Where does collagen come from and do
collagen supplements work?
Since this is a relatively new product, there is a lot of
conflicting evidence on the validity of taking collagen supplements. However,
there are a few key things to remember before purchasing collagen
supplements:
-
The body uses types I, II, III and VII collagen to repair skin
cells and repair organs, but most supplements on the market derive collagen
from cows which is only type II, and is only effective in treating joint paint
-
Marine-derived protein sources of collagen contain type I,
II and III and VII which can be metabolized by the body and yield better
results than bovine collagen by providing anti-ageing results as well as joint
pain treatment
What results do collagen supplements produce?
The most commonly reported benefits of collagen include:
-
Younger looking skin
-
Shiny hair
-
Relief from joint pain and arthritic symptoms
-
Decreased cellulite
-
Stronger nails
-
Strengthened cartilage and connective tissues
-
Improved immune functions
-
A general sense of vitality and well being
As with most supplements on the market, the best results are
usually yielded from companies that use high quality ingredients and are leaders
in the natural supplement field. Before purchasing any type of supplement, it is
always advisable to research the product, company and customer reviews well
before buying.
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