Collagen is an anti-aging superhero.
The benefits of this potent protein include:
- Firmer Skin Cells: Collagen helps maintain the structure of skin cells, helping your skin to look smoother, tighter, and more youthful.
- Strengthens Hair and Nails: Collagen provides essential amino acids for hair and nail growth. These amino acids reduce brittleness and promote healthier, shinier hair.
- Flexible Joints: Collagen helps maintain cartilage, which is the bouncy tissue that protects your joints. More cartilage means more flexible, comfortable movement.
- Strong Bones: Collagen helps to keep bones strong and improves overall skeletal health, reducing the risk of fractures.
- Promotes Gut Health: Collagen can help strengthen the gut lining, which may prevent conditions like leaky gut syndrome, along with improved digestion.
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder collagen is such a hot beauty trend.
But not all collagen formulas are created equal.
If you want to choose a high quality collagen formula, rather than overpriced junk, you need to check for these three things:
1. How pure is it? Does it contain artificial additives that risk flare ups?
Always check the label to see if the collagen comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised sources. And that it doesn't contain any nasty fillers or additives.
Ingredients to watch out for include anti-caking agents, like Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, and Butyl Stearatem. These ingredients are known to cause skin breakouts and flare-ups. While the dyes and gelatin in collagen gummies can be hard to digest, leading to gut inflammation and rashes.
Remember: Only the purest form of collagen is worth spending your hard-earned money on. You might save money with cheap options. But you likely won’t experience any benefits for your skin, joints, or health.
2. Is it hydrolyzed?
Imagine trying to eat a whole banana, orange, and apple all at once.
You wouldn't be able to fit them all in your mouth!
But what if you took those fruits and blended them into a smoothie?
That would make it much easier, right?
Well, that’s the difference between non-hydrolyzed and hydrolyzed collagen.
Non-hydrolyzed collagen, in its purest form, contains big structural proteins that are too large for your body to absorb.
Whereas hydrolyzed collagen has been broken down into a silky smooth powder that dissolves effortlessly in your gut.
This allows the collagen to be better absorbed — in turn supporting joint health, reduced wrinkles, and making your skin soft, plump, and smooth.
3. How bioavailable and easy to absorb is it?
“Bioavailability” refers to how easily (or not) a nutrient can be absorbed and used by your body.
If you can't find hydrolyzed collagen (which has excellent bioavailability), your next-best option is Collagen Peptides.
Peptides are where the collagen has been broken down into shorter amino acid chains. These peptides are more bioavailable because the shorter chains can be more easily absorbed into your bloodstream.
Formulas that include nutrients like vitamin C and zinc can also be more bioavailable. This is because vitamin C stimulates natural collagen production, while zinc helps sustain your collagen stores for longer.
Always choose a quality collagen formula for the best results
Collagen truly stands out as an anti-aging superhero, offering a multitude of benefits from firmer skin and stronger hair to flexible joints and robust bones.
However, to fully harness these benefits, it's crucial to choose a high-quality collagen formula.
Always check a formula for purity, hydrolyzation, and bioavailability. This will ensure you're getting the most out of your collagen supplement.
By making informed choices, you can enjoy all of collagen's rejuvenating powers, keeping your skin, hair, joints, and overall health in top condition.
Remember, investing in high quality formulas is an investment in looking and feeling your best.
