Skip to content
The Truth about Collage for Health and Beauty

The Truth About Collagen for Health and Beauty

From melting away cellulite to decreasing joint pain and erasing wrinkles, collagen has been touted as an anti-aging and health building panacea.  It’s been touted as the “fountain of youth” and many new collagen pills and powders have made their way on the market. But does it really work?

Let’s first examine what collagen is:

According to the Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, collagen is “any of a family of extracellular, closely related proteins occurring as a major component of connective tissue, giving it strength and flexibility.”

By definition is sounds pretty important; strength and flexibility are both traits we want our bodies to have.

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body, making up one-third of our total protein. Collagen boasts a unique amino acid profile including proline, glycine, glutamine, hydroxyproline, and alanine.

These are the amino acids your body uses to make new collagen to support joint health, skin health, and a robust gut lining. These amino acids are hard to come by unless you’re eating lots of organ meat and connective tissue (and I will bet most of you are not!)

It comes from the Greek word “kolla,” meaning glue. It is a major component of connective tissue and maintains the integrity and elasticity of your skin, muscle, bones, tendons, and digestive tissue. Therefore, collagen is often referred to as “the glue that holds the body together.”

While there are 16 different types of collagen, 80 to 90 percent of them belong to categories known as types 1, 2, and 3, 4 and 5 (You’ll also see them written as types I, II, and III, IV, V).

Type 1: The most abundant type in the body; present in scar tissue, tendons, skin, arterial walls, cornea, surrounding muscle fibers, fibrocartilage, intervertebral disks, digestive system, bones, and teeth.

Type 2: Found in joint cartilage, intervertebral disks, important for pain-free joints

Type 3: Found in the intestinal walls, heart tissue, uterus, muscles, and blood vessels. This type helps to give skin it’s elasticity.

Type 4: Crucial for optimal skin health and growth of healthy hair.

Type 5: Important for bone formation and overall bone health.

Top Collagen Benefits

While there are dozens of collagen benefits, these rank among the most researched and most valuable.

Healthier Hair

Collagen improves hair health. Collagen is a major substance in the composition of the hair. It is well-known for increasing hair growth and shine—hence, the plethora of shampoos available on the market trumpeting an added collagen ingredient.

However, to promote growth and achieve glossy hair, oral supplementation with collagen is required; applying collagen topically is of little benefit.

Stronger Nails and Teeth

Collagen strengthens teeth and nails. Receding gums often result in tooth sensitivity and can lead to decay and inflammation.

Research demonstrates that type 1 collagen is able to enhance gum healing, which results in thicker margins around the tooth and healing of the roots. So, it protects your teeth by keeping them firmly in your gums.

And aside from protecting your pearly whites, type 1 collagen is an excellent supplement for strengthening weak and brittle nails.

Improved Digestive Health and Reversal Of Leaky Gut

Collagen supports digestive health in IBS and leaky gut syndrome. Glutamine, one of the amino acids in collagen, helps to reduce gut inflammation, aid digestion, and regulate the secretion of stomach acid.

Studies have found that glutamine improves the intestinal lining in leaky gut syndrome. And interestingly, patients with inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) are noted to have decreased serum levels of collagen.

To get the collagen benefits of improving the integrity of the digestive tract, you’ll need to supplement with type 1 and type 3 collagen.

Collagen Heals Bones and Joints

Bones, tendons, and ligaments are made up of type 1 and type 5 collagen.

However, studies show that type 3 collagen is of great advantage to healing injured tissue. So, taking type 1, 3 and 5 collagen together helps strengthen weakened bones, tendons, and ligaments.

One particular form of collagen called collagen hydrolysate also has been shown to decrease inflammation and pain in patients with osteoarthritis.

Collagen hydrolysate, or “hydrolyzed collagen,” is collagen that has been broken down into a low molecular weight and is easier for the body to absorb than other sources. It can be found in powdered form. This is my favorite.

Metabolism Mover

Collagen is a metabolism booster. Perhaps one of the most exciting health benefits of collagen is that it is a natural metabolism booster.

As we age, our bodies lose muscle mass, which is often replaced by fat.

Collagen can help reverse this in two ways. First, an amino acid found in collagen called glycine helps form muscle by converting glucose into energy. Having more lean muscle tissue boosts your metabolism because muscle burns more calories than fat.

Second, a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that collagen helped aging individuals maintain lean body muscle and preserve nitrogen balance.

Improved Skin Elasticity and Reduced Cellulite

Collagen improves skin elasticity and reduces cellulite. Have you ever heard of dermatologists and plastic surgeons performing collagen injections to improve the contours of the skin and fill out depressions to remove lines and wrinkles? This works because deep in the dermis (the middle layer of the skin), collagen helps form a fibrous network of cells called fibroblasts, upon which new cells can grow.

It can also help heal wounds or burns and improve the look of scars—a reason why many wound dressings contain collagen.

But, that’s not all! By strengthening the dermis of the skin, collagen also can help reduce cellulite. The dimpling look of cellulite occurs when fatty tissues are pushed up through fibers into the upper layer of the skin.

By working on the inside of the body, collagen can help hide the cellulite.

Studies indeed confirm that collagen supplementation is effective to improve skin elasticity, firmness, and thickness, including that of pesky cellulite.

Improved Liver Function

Collagen improves liver function. The aforementioned glycine found in collagen helps reduce liver damage. Several studies have revealed that glycine expedites the process of recovering from alcohol-induced liver injury.

How to Get Your Daily Dose Of Collagen

Unfortunately, the body’s ability to produce collagen declines as we age. In fact, after age 20, people produce about 12% LESS collagen in their skin each decade.

For some, it’s an even greater decline. This means that by the time you’re “middle-aged” you could be producing less than HALF of the collagen you did in your youth.

Even worse, various “lifestyle factors” you may have been exposed to – like poor diet, smoking, pollution, stress, and excess sun exposure – can deplete your collagen levels even faster.

Another problem in our modern times is that we no longer eat the richest sources of collagen.

Just like in humans, collagen is located in the skin, bones, cartilage, and other connective tissue of animals, such as fish, chickens, and cattle.

And to get the five types you need – through food – would require you eating a lot of these various “parts” from a range of different sources. That’s because no single source provides you all the different collagen types.

Our ancestors were pretty good at this because they ate “nose to tail” and let nothing go to waste.

For example, they routinely ate a lot of skin and organ meat, and they extracted collagen and other nutrients from a range of different animals’ bones and cartilage by cooking them for long periods.

Most people today, however, eat very little skin, bones, and cartilage – let alone from a range of different animals. We mostly throw those parts away.

Other foods relatively high in collagen include wild salmon, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and berries, but the most popular way to consume collagen is via bone broth.

Beef bone broth contains the highest amounts of type 1 collagen; the chicken broth is higher in type 2.

A better way to consume collagen is via a powdered supplement. Search for “hydrolyzed collagen” or “collagen peptides” that contain at least type 1 and 3, however, for best results, choose a brand that contains all 5 types.

Note: Those with egg or fish allergies should take caution as some multi collagen powders contain egg and fish, so be sure to read the label.

The typical dose is one scoop per day, which would provide 5 to 15 grams daily. You can take up to 30 grams per day to achieve therapeutic effects; however, be sure to check the label for other ingredients or supplements.

Purchase a pure collagen product that does not contain additives.

I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link: CLICK HERE

Get More Out of Your Collagen

For hundreds of years, sailors had to worry about scurvy. After months at sea without any fresh vegetables, their teeth and hair would begin to fall out, their joints would deteriorate, and their skin would start to break down.

The problem wasn’t lack of collagen; it was lack of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is essential to collagen synthesis. Be sure you eat plenty of raw or lightly cooked vegetables so your body has vitamin C to work with.

You can also take an extended-release vitamin C supplement. To get the most out of your collagen, always pair it with a source of vitamin C.

  • in Diet and Nutrition

Visit us

Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Share

Featured Product

Recent Post

131 Comments

  1. Hi Michelle,

    Can you recommend your favourite and trusted brand for us? The purest Collagen with all 5 types? Would you sell these items at your office? Shelly Zebedee

    • Hi Shelly!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  2. Hi Michelle,

    Can you recommend your favourite and trusted brand for us? The purest Collagen with all 5 types? Would you sell these items at your office? Shelly Zebedee

    • Hi Shelly!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  3. Hi Michelle,

    Can you recommend your favourite and trusted brand for us? The purest Collagen with all 5 types? Would you sell these items at your office? Shelly Zebedee

    • Hi Shelly!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  4. What are your thoughts on if you’re a daily Intermittent Faster? Since it’s 40 calories per serving and 10 g of protein, will this be considered breaking the fast if have in Bullet proof coffee in A.M.?

  5. What are your thoughts on if you’re a daily Intermittent Faster? Since it’s 40 calories per serving and 10 g of protein, will this be considered breaking the fast if have in Bullet proof coffee in A.M.?

  6. What are your thoughts on if you’re a daily Intermittent Faster? Since it’s 40 calories per serving and 10 g of protein, will this be considered breaking the fast if have in Bullet proof coffee in A.M.?

  7. What would be a good source of Vit c to take along with this collegan?

    • Hi Ann 🙂
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

      I like Buffered Vitamin C by Integrative Therapuetics. It is easily absorbed and does not contain corn

  8. What would be a good source of Vit c to take along with this collegan?

    • Hi Ann 🙂
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

      I like Buffered Vitamin C by Integrative Therapuetics. It is easily absorbed and does not contain corn

  9. What would be a good source of Vit c to take along with this collegan?

    • Hi Ann 🙂
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

      I like Buffered Vitamin C by Integrative Therapuetics. It is easily absorbed and does not contain corn

  10. Can you recommend a brand of powdered supplement of collagen with all the 5??
    Desperate Tiff

    • Hi Tiffany!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  11. Can you recommend a brand of powdered supplement of collagen with all the 5??
    Desperate Tiff

    • Hi Tiffany!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  12. Can you recommend a brand of powdered supplement of collagen with all the 5??
    Desperate Tiff

    • Hi Tiffany!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  13. I get mine from Unicity, SO HAPPY with their collagen product at wholesale.
    I have it directly shipped for free from Frank Cammalleri.
    His email is frank.fit4life@gmail.com

  14. I get mine from Unicity, SO HAPPY with their collagen product at wholesale.
    I have it directly shipped for free from Frank Cammalleri.
    His email is frank.fit4life@gmail.com

  15. I get mine from Unicity, SO HAPPY with their collagen product at wholesale.
    I have it directly shipped for free from Frank Cammalleri.
    His email is frank.fit4life@gmail.com

  16. Can powdered supplements damage kidney?

  17. Can powdered supplements damage kidney?

  18. Can powdered supplements damage kidney?

  25. Can you recommend a vegan brand please.

  26. Can you recommend a vegan brand please.

  27. Can you recommend a vegan brand please.

  28. PLS recommend a good collagen supliment for us to use

    • Hi Joanna!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  29. PLS recommend a good collagen supliment for us to use

    • Hi Joanna!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  30. PLS recommend a good collagen supliment for us to use

    • Hi Joanna!
      I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  31. Look up Dr. Josh Axe. His collagen has all 5. I’ve been taking it for years. You can find on his website and Whole Foods.

  32. Look up Dr. Josh Axe. His collagen has all 5. I’ve been taking it for years. You can find on his website and Whole Foods.

  33. Look up Dr. Josh Axe. His collagen has all 5. I’ve been taking it for years. You can find on his website and Whole Foods.

  34. HI Tiffany,
    Dr. Axe put out a collagen product with all of the types. It is my favorite!
    NO flavor, and mixes easily with hot or cold.
    Ancient Nutrition is the brand and it is called, ‘AXE COLLAGEN’ . It is in a red canister.

  35. HI Tiffany,
    Dr. Axe put out a collagen product with all of the types. It is my favorite!
    NO flavor, and mixes easily with hot or cold.
    Ancient Nutrition is the brand and it is called, ‘AXE COLLAGEN’ . It is in a red canister.

  36. HI Tiffany,
    Dr. Axe put out a collagen product with all of the types. It is my favorite!
    NO flavor, and mixes easily with hot or cold.
    Ancient Nutrition is the brand and it is called, ‘AXE COLLAGEN’ . It is in a red canister.

  37. You mention nothing about the metals and other impurities in today’s collagen products. There are only two that I would buy as I know they are tested for this.

  38. You mention nothing about the metals and other impurities in today’s collagen products. There are only two that I would buy as I know they are tested for this.

  39. You mention nothing about the metals and other impurities in today’s collagen products. There are only two that I would buy as I know they are tested for this.

  40. I have heard of plant based collagen. What is the research like behind it? I’m vegan so I don’t want to consume animal supplements.

  41. I have heard of plant based collagen. What is the research like behind it? I’m vegan so I don’t want to consume animal supplements.

  42. I have heard of plant based collagen. What is the research like behind it? I’m vegan so I don’t want to consume animal supplements.

  43. Same question as previous person. What brand offers what you recommend?!
    These articles aren’t much use to anybody without a way to access the recommended products. I’ve not found a product with all 5 collagen types. Does anyone have a recommendation?

    • I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  44. Same question as previous person. What brand offers what you recommend?!
    These articles aren’t much use to anybody without a way to access the recommended products. I’ve not found a product with all 5 collagen types. Does anyone have a recommendation?

    • I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  45. Same question as previous person. What brand offers what you recommend?!
    These articles aren’t much use to anybody without a way to access the recommended products. I’ve not found a product with all 5 collagen types. Does anyone have a recommendation?

    • I really like Biotrust Ageless Collagen – you can get it at a discount using this link:
      CLICK HERE

  46. I get alot of my supplements from puritan com. They have B1G1 and B1G2 sales. and 97 different Collagen products. Some are labeled types 1 & 3. Some have beef, chicken, egg & fish. I’m 72 yo, so I need all 5 types. And I’ll pick a powder because I make smoothies and it’ll be cheaper per oz. So to start I bought Multi Collagen Blend on sale & B1G1.

  47. I get alot of my supplements from puritan com. They have B1G1 and B1G2 sales. and 97 different Collagen products. Some are labeled types 1 & 3. Some have beef, chicken, egg & fish. I’m 72 yo, so I need all 5 types. And I’ll pick a powder because I make smoothies and it’ll be cheaper per oz. So to start I bought Multi Collagen Blend on sale & B1G1.

  48. I get alot of my supplements from puritan com. They have B1G1 and B1G2 sales. and 97 different Collagen products. Some are labeled types 1 & 3. Some have beef, chicken, egg & fish. I’m 72 yo, so I need all 5 types. And I’ll pick a powder because I make smoothies and it’ll be cheaper per oz. So to start I bought Multi Collagen Blend on sale & B1G1.

  49. Integrative Therapuetics Buffered vitamin C is what I recommend

  50. Integrative Therapuetics Buffered vitamin C is what I recommend

  51. Integrative Therapuetics Buffered vitamin C is what I recommend

  52. Thanks for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.

  53. A round of applause for your blog.Really thank you! Want more.

  54. Im grateful for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.

  59. Awesome post.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.

  65. Through the parental monitoring program, parents can pay attention to their children’s mobile phone activities and monitor WhatsApp messages more easily and conveniently. The application software runs silently in the background of the target device, recording conversation messages, emoticons, multimedia files, photos, and videos. It applies to every device running on Android and iOS systems.

  66. I loved your article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.

  67. When you’re trying to spy on someone’s phone, you need to make sure the software isn’t found by them once it’s installed.

  71. Thanks-a-mundo for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.

  75. I think this is a real great blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.

  77. Thanks so much for the article.Thanks Again. Want more.

  78. Very neat blog.Much thanks again. Really Great.

  80. Major thanks for the article post. Really Great.

  83. Im obliged for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.

  87. Im grateful for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.

  88. Wow, awesome blog format! How lengthy have
    you ever been running a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy.
    The entire glance of your web site is excellent, let alone the content
    material! You can see similar here sklep internetowy

  95. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins
    to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank
    for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
    If you know of any please share. Kudos! You can read similar blog here: Ecommerce

  96. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Kudos! You can read similar art here:
    Najlepszy sklep

  97. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
    If you know of any please share. Kudos! You can read similar art here:
    Sklep internetowy

  98. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with
    Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to
    get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Appreciate it! You can read similar art here: E-commerce

  99. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins
    to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog
    to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
    good success. If you know of any please share.
    Kudos! You can read similar art here: Sklep internetowy

  100. Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with
    SEO? I’m trying to get my site to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
    If you know of any please share. Cheers! You can read similar art here: Backlink Portfolio

  101. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
    I’m trying to get my site to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Many thanks! You can read similar art here:
    Auto Approve List

  102. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with
    Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get
    my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
    good gains. If you know of any please share. Thanks! I saw similar blog here: List of Backlinks

  103. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with
    SEO? I’m trying to get my website to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing
    very good results. If you know of any please share.
    Thank you! You can read similar text here: List of Backlinks

  104. buying prescription drugs in mexico online: mexico pharmacy – mexico pharmacies prescription drugs

  112. https://cytotec.club/# buy cytotec online
    buy cipro online without prescription [url=https://ciprofloxacin.tech/#]ciprofloxacin over the counter[/url] buy cipro online

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *