Collagen is seen as ‘trendy’ in our modern western world, but for a long time, for centuries in fact, Asian & Chinese women have been consuming beef bones and cartilage, pig trotters, chicken feet, sheep skin, etc., knowing that these foods can help smooth out their ageing skin, preserve their ageing joints and help with their longevity inside and out!
As a Naturopath, it is my mission to make more people aware of this little beauty called Collagen as the emerging clinical research is nothing but positive!
Let’s start at the beginning – What is Collagen?
Collagen: the word is derived from the Greek word ‘kolla’, which means “glue.” It does just that! Collagen holds the body together. Collagen is the most important and abundant structural protein found in our bodies, specifically in our skin, ligaments, joint tissues, blood vessels, tendons & other connective tissues, gluing our cells together and giving our skin its structure & elasticity.
Twenty eight types of collagen have been identified in the human body. These are needed for structure & mechanical stability, as well as the integrity & strength of our connective tissues and bones. It is the essential building block of all connective tissue. Collagen is a rich source of amino acids. It is formed from glycine, proline & hydroxyproline, which all help to heal and strengthen damaged tissue by promoting repair on a cellular level.
Collagen in our bodies begins to break down during our twenties and the waning progresses as we age. It declines more rapidly as a result of other contributing factors such as smoking tobacco or using other toxic drugs, drinking too much alcohol, eating a processed western diet, menopause and chronic disease. Without sufficient collagen, our tissues weaken and become compromised over time, accelerating the ageing process and speeding up degeneration both internally & externally. Collagen is found in organ meats and bones. However, typically, our western meat-eating diet does not contain these parts of the animals. By adding extra collagen to our everyday nutrition, we can support our body’s limited production of collagen, and thereby slow down the ageing process.
What do the studies tell us?
Skin elasticity, tone, and moisture plus wound healing – Collagen is a natural protein that provides elasticity and hydration to our skin. Various studies have revealed that the supplementation of dietary collagen powder can produce significant improvements to skin elasticity within eight weeks, reducing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles by 20%. It also reduces cellulite after six month’s use. In other studies collagen supplementation has been found to accelerate wound healing.
Reduces joint pain & maintains joint degeneration – This is true, especially with osteoarthritis – A 2015 study by Nutricion Hospialaria cited more than 60 other studies designed to measure the impacts of collagen on overall joint health and joint pain. The results indicated that collagen supplementation relieves joint pain, prevents degradation and helps maintain the integrity of joints. Other clinical studies have found cartilage supplementation relieves joint pain, especially in those suffering with osteoarthritis.
Gut Health – Collagen is great for the gut because the gut lining is made from collagen. It improves digestion by restoring epithelial lining. It also provides the amino acids, ie the building blocks needed to repair, heal, seal and maintain the gut cells & lining.
Other Tissues – Collagen plays a positive role in building strength in the hair and nails, improving elasticity and repairing damaged blood vessels.
Where can we get added collagen?
Collagen is often left out of our modern-day diets because we now generally eat leaner cuts of meats, without the bones, organs and connective tissue that our ancestors used to eat.
As a Naturopath, I recommend my patients to get added collagen from sources such as organ meats, and to incorporate bone broth in their diet. You will not only get more collagen this way, but you will also nourish your body further with the added vitamins and minerals available in these foods.
However, in our busy modern lives, this can be difficult for those who are time-poor. A more convenient way to get a daily dose of collagen is to supplement from a good source.
The research studies usually use hydrolysed collagen peptides. This form of collagen is more absorbable, tasteless and can be popped into a capsule or dissolved in hot or cold liquid. Make sure you use a reputable company that practices ethical and sustainable farming methods, coming from grass fed pasture-raised animals, and without any additives, preservatives or unnecessary ingredients. The Living Valley Shop carries a range of excellent Collagen products. Call the team to choose the one that will be best for you.
Based on the current findings and traditions, I like to use collagen every day, whether it is in a bone broth or taken as an added supplement. I know that it is helping me slow down the ageing process and it is keeping me young on the inside & out!
By Kirsten Sweeney
Naturopath – Living Valley
