Collagen powder – is this super supplement the answer to youthful skin and beautiful hair? These celebrities certainly think so. Nutritionist Dr. Naomi Newman leg style reveals the facts
In search of optimal health and timeless beauty, we often look for a “miracle pill” that will do the job for us.
If you haven’t lived under a rock in the past few years, you’ve no doubt heard of collagen. This is thanks in part to the countless celebrities who call collagen their ultimate beauty secret.
From radiant, youthful skin to stronger hair and nails
From glowing, youthful skin to stronger hair and nails, the supposed benefits of collagen are very appealing, especially for anti-aging.
So should this wonder ingredient be our new daily addition? If it’s good enough for top celebs, it’s definitely worth investigating.
Which celebrities use collagen?
Collagen first hit the stage thanks to megastar and all-around babe Jennifer Aniston, who revealed that her morning smoothies had been fortified with collagen to keep her skin youthful and glowing.
Since then, she has continued to advocate its health and beauty benefits and reportedly has it in her coffee every day.
She was even named Chief Creative Officer of the American collagen brand Vital Proteins.
With Jen looking just as awesome as she was in Friends (over a decade ago!), We can’t help but think that daily collagen could be the way forward.
Another celebrity advertised for a collagen drink on a daily basis is a presenter, model, and Podcasters Lisa Snowdon.
Lisa is very vocal about holistic approaches and products that have helped her on her journey through perimenopause, one of which is her daily ritual Correxiko Wild marine collagen Powder with her morning tea, which she attributes to less sore joints and plumper, more hydrated skin.
One celebrity who really brought collagen to global audiences is Khloe Kardashian – after launching Dose & Co in the UK earlier this year.
It doesn’t get much bigger than the Kardashians, does it?
Healthista asked the nutritionist and specialist in health psychology, Dr. Naomi Newman leg style to dive into the research and share the collagen facts for us.
This is Dr. Naomi’s Guide to Collagen Based on the Latest Research …
So what is collagen and why do you need it?
Since ancient times, humans have consumed more collagen than we currently do, but modern food processing has removed it from our diet.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and is made up of amino acids, which are your body’s essential building blocks.
These amino acids (including keratin) are needed to renew your cells and promote healthy skin, hair, nails, eyes, teeth, cartilage, muscles, joints and bones – pretty much anything that keeps our bodies going.
From around the age of 18 our collagen level begins to drop, and this accelerates by 1.5 percent per year from the age of 30. This decline continues to accelerate in women with the onset of menopause.
Our collagen level begins to decline from around the age of 18
Things like UV light, excessive sugar consumption, smoking, high-intensity exercise, and pollution can all contribute to the breakdown of collagen that is visible in our skin, causing visible lines, wrinkles, and sagging.
Over the past five to ten years there has been a plethora of research exploring the benefits of taking collagen. Therefore, supplementing with high quality collagen can be important in order to regenerate our bodies.
This research has found that taking collagen daily can improve skin elasticity and moisture, and reduce some visible signs of aging. It has also been shown to promote strong bones and joint repair.
Who can say no to all of these benefits when they come from a single source?
How Much Collagen Do You Need To Ingest To See Results?
Almost all research studies examining the effectiveness of taking oral collagen recommend taking collagen daily.
Science tells us that we need to ingest around 10 grams of collagen peptides per day to get the maximum benefit. The big question, however, is how long does it take to see results when you start taking a collagen supplement?
This can depend on several lifestyle factors and where your body needs collagen most. Nails will show the fastest results in two to three weeks, skin typically four to six weeks, hair two to four months, and bone / joint health will be achieved with daily use for two to six months.
What should you watch out for with collagen products?
The size of the collagen molecules is very important to its effectiveness – we don’t consume collagen directly as collagen is a large molecule that is quite difficult to digest.
So it has to be broken down into “collagen peptides” through a hydrolysis process, which is why you will see many collagens called “hydrolyzed collagen”.
The size of the collagen molecules is very important to its effectiveness
Even better are products that are double hydrolyzed for maximum absorption. Studies show that this smaller molecule can be absorbed through the gut and into the bloodstream.
Is there an optimal form to take a collagen supplement?
Many people wonder if liquid formulas work better than capsules. It’s a myth that liquid formulas work better, especially when they have added ingredients like artificial sweeteners that can actually affect collagen production.
Collagen drinks typically have sub-optimal collagen doses (5-8 grams per serving) while the therapeutic dose of collagen is 10-15 grams.
The active ingredient (collagen peptide) is the same in both, with the difference that one is in a pure, dry form that you can add to coffee, smoothies and cooking, and the other is dissolved in flavored, sweetened water.
Are Collagen Products Suitable for Everyone?
Since collagen is simply a protein and is hypoallergenic, it is suitable for everyone. However, as with anything else, if you have a pre-existing medical condition, check with your doctor before using collagen.
It’s really important to use a good quality product that has been tested for toxins and is believed to be safe.
The Best Collage Brands to Try:
In the past few years there has been an explosion of collagen powders, pills, and beverages on the market as studies have shown the tremendous benefits of collagen as nature’s magical anti-aging secret.
Not all collagen is created equal, so it’s important to consider sourcing and processing for the best results. Here are our three most popular collagen brands to try:
# 1 CORREXIKO marine and beef collagen
I use Correxiko Wild marine collagen daily as part of my health program.
Correxiko is a highly ethical company founded by a doctor. Their marine collagen is obtained from wild-caught deep-sea fish from Canada. They only use the fish skin and not the cheaper fish scales like many other brands on the market.
They also only source deep-sea fish from pristine Canadian waters, which are strictly regulated, and all batches are independently tested for heavy metals and other contaminants.
CORREXIKO Collagen has been double hydrolyzed to produce an industry leading microparticle peptide size. This leads to improved absorption with more effective, richer results.
It also contains important amino acids such as glutamine, which has been shown to strengthen the intestinal mucosa and help with digestive problems such as “leaky gut”.
Unlike many collagen products, CORREXIKO collagen does not contain any additional flavors, sweeteners or additives and is tasteless, so you can add it to coffee, tea, smoothies etc. – it does not lose its effectiveness when heated or cooked.
Available in navy and bovine prices start from € 19.95, Even available from Amazon.
Follow CORREXIKO on Instagram.
# 2 Your Zooki Marine Collagen Pouch
These custom lime flavored collagen bags are a mix of marine collagen and Vitamin C.
The USP for Your zooki is their unique liposomal uptake – which basically means that the ingredients are more easily digested and absorbed by the body.
The coating of collagen peptides in phospholipids creates a barrier around the collagen that protects it from the harsh environment of the digestive system.
The phospholipids come from GM-free sunflower oil with a high phosphatidylcholine content.
Prices from € 27.99 for 2 weeks supply.
# 3 Great Lakes collages
Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysates The beneficial combination of amino acids helps repair and renew your natural collagen stores and can help rebuild your body’s vital inner tissues.
This offers a variety of health benefits, including support for a healthy musculoskeletal system, restful sleep, and increased wellbeing.
Made from ONE simple ingredient, Great Lakes is a pure protein dietary supplement that contains over 90 percent protein.
Plus, the characteristic group of amino acids that it is quickly absorbed and easily assimilated by the body.
You will also reap beauty benefits from adding Great Lakes to your daily routine, as hydrolyzed collagen promotes rapid cell growth to strengthen your hair and improve the firmness, elasticity, and suppleness of skin tissues.
A serving of Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate contains 11 g of tasteless, odorless protein that can be added to any liquid, hot or cold, or mixed into your favorite recipes.
Prices from € 29.99 for 454g approx. 40 servings too available from Amazon UK.
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Thank You For Reading!
Reference: www.healthista.com