Collagen is the protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity, or stretchiness. It’s in your bones, muscles, and blood, comprising three-quarters of your skin and a third of the protein in your body.
As you get older, your body makes less collagen You can’t measure exactly how much you have, but when it drops you may have symptoms such as joint pain or stiff tendons or ligaments. Your muscles may weaken. You could also have papery skin.
As a result, many people turn to collagen powder or other types of collagen supplements. Have you noticed more collagen based products in stores? Just walk the aisles of COSTCO pharmacy and you will see a lot of powders, liquids and pills. But, do they really work?
Buyer beware. There are many collagen products on the market promising better skin, nails, and hair, but only a few show any effectiveness. If you want to try collagen supplements or drinks, review the list of ingredients and the protein profile. Avoid supplements with too many additives or fillers. Products containing high quantities of prolylhydroxyproline and hydroxyprolylglycine are better at reducing wrinkles and improving the moisture content of skin.
But, according to this Harvard Health article, the most effective way to take care of your skin, nails, and hair is to:
Follow a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet that includes protein-rich foods.
If you smoke, quit.
Limit alcohol to two drinks or less in a day for men or one drink or less in a day for women.
Apply high quality natural sunscreen daily and remember to reapply every two hours.
Wear wide-brimmed or UV-protective hats and clothing when you’re spending a lot of time in the sun.
You should always consult your doctor before starting any new supplements.
Board-certified dermatologists provide their top tips for caring for your skin, hair, and nails in this excellent article from the American Academy of Dermatology.
Hope you plug-in to this valuable information and enjoy better skin, hair, and nails.
Collagen supplements is a big topic, too much for one blog post. The newer popular use for collagen is reducing joint pain. That benefit is of great interest if you are one of my senior readers for sure. Stay tuned next month for more information on how collagen can reduce joint pain, even pain from arthritis.
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