Collagen Archives - DocMuscles

Many people are looking for natural sources of collagen. Every day in my clinic, I get asked about which collagen supplement I recommend using. People have been convinced over the years by great sales and marketing that they must have some form of supplemental collagen.

This is an important question, because there are many benefits to collagen. As the most abundant protein in our body, collagen is essential for:

· Fighting signs of aging like wrinkles

· Improving joint health and osteoarthritis

· Healing Irritable Bowel & Leaky Gut Syndrome

· Boosting metabolism

· Improving mental health

· Reducing the appearance of cellulite

· Strengthening hair & nails

· Great looking skin

WHAT IS COLLAGEN?

In the body, collagen is mostly found in the skin, bones, and joints. It also is found in the lining of the gut. We’ve known for years that gut health is incredibly important for overall health!

Collagen in the body is made up of amino acids which wrap together to make a triple-helix structure. The helix structure is why collagen is so strong.

The amino acids which make up collagen are:

· Glycine: Makes up about 33% of collagen

· Proline: Makes up about 10% of collagen

· Hydroxyproline: Makes up about 10% of collagen

· Hydroxylysine: Makes up about 1% of collagen

The 5 most common types are Type I, II, III, IV and V.

· Type I Collagen is the most abundant in our body (over 90%) and stronger than steel by weight. It is found in skin, hair, nails, muscle, joints and organs.

· Type II Collagen makes up movable joints.

· Type III (the so-called ‘baby collagen’) is the second most abundant collagen in human tissue.

· Type IV forms basal lamina, the epithelium-secreted layer of the basement membrane.

· Type V is present in cell surfaces, hair and placenta.

WHY YOU NEED COLLAGEN

Our bodies make collagen out of amino acids we consume through food. However, as we age, our bodies ability to make collagen declines. Thus, around the age of 30, collagen production begins to diminish by about 1% to 2% yearly. By the age of 40, you and I lose 10% to 20% of our collagen!

UV rays, cigarette smoke, pollution, poor diet lacking in the necessary amino acids causes our skin’s structural integrity to be compromised.

Our dermis is made up of more than 80% Type I Collagen and 15% Type III Collagen, along with Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid, and specialized cells called ‘Fibroblasts’ (the essential ‘collagen factories’ that synthesize new collagen).

Together they are the key components for the extracellular matrix which gives our skin its structure, elasticity and firmness.

Collagen is the key foundational protein for healthy, youthful-looking skin.

To produce collagen, our bodies first need to have amino acids as the building blocks for collagen. Millions of people around the world were indoctrinated in the low-fat diet dogma taught in grade school since the 1970’s. If you’ve been eating a low fat, vegetarian or vegan diet, which is lacking in those crucial amino acids, your body won’t be able to produce enough collagen!

Why? Because those amino acids above are found in animal proteins and animal fats, specifically from the connective tissues of cows and pigs (amazing how bacon is necessary for everything, right?!)

To make things worse, naturally-occurring enzymes in our bodies also break down collagen. Environmental factors like pollution, free radicals, and excessive sun exposure can also break down collagen.

THE #1 SOURCE OF COLLAGEN: Natrual GELATIN

When it comes to sources of collagen, you won’t find anything better than gelatin. Why? Because gelatin IS collagen. As mentioned above, gelatin comes from the connective tissue of cows, pigs and is found in whites and yolks of eggs. You can also get some types of collagen from fish.

Slow cooking or smoking beef and pork liquifies the connective tissues in these meats and creates the moistness that is so very delicious.

The great thing about gelatin is that it is easy for the body to digest and absorb. But, don’t expect your wrinkles or joint pain to disappear overnight.

Yes, you can buy expensive collagen powders or gelatins and help pay for supplement company CEO’s boat. And, some of these have been shown to be effective in helping the skin. However, most of the stuff you find in the supermarket is so highly processed that it isn’t likely to deliver any benefits.

Many collagen supplements found in powders can also cause diarrhea, bloating, a sensation of heaviness in the gut and stomachache.

Instead, save your money. Consume slow cooked beef & pork, eggs, fish and/or cook with bone broth. It will do wonders for your hair, skin and nails and it tastes great.