Collagen: Eat it, Apply it? Does it Even Work?!
“…promotion of the use of collagen and the benefits are being created by the same companies for profit.”
“…There has not been any peer-review and non-profit driven testing on collagen..”
There are 5 different types of collagens. Type one makes up 90% of the body’s collagen and provides structure for the skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Type Two is found in the joints and cartilage. Type Three is found coating the organs, muscles, and arteries. Four is also found in the layers of the skin and five is found in the cornea of the eye, other layers of the skin, hair, the tissue of the placenta. Therefore, Collagen does way more for the body that just keep your skin tight and young looking. Collagen is needed for healthy body function.
While there has not been any peer-review and non-profit driven testing on collagen, it is still an important topic to understand and promote within the body. One thing modern medicine understands about collagen is the amount definitely decreases as we age and it decreases for most women around the time of menopause. Modern medicine has also concluded that the lack of collagen will lead to wrinkles, but more importantly joint pain, blood flow issues, loss of mobility, gastrointestinal problems, and more.
“Simply put, any collagen being applied to the skin is not being absorbed.‘
Because of the general peek of interest in collagen, there has been a matching increase in collagen supplements, skincare products, and other products. However, promotion of the use of collagen and the benefits are being created by the same companies for profit. The actual proof of these products working is not available seeing that most research on this topic is funded by the very companies that created the products. The truth is, collagen is a complicated molecule made up of amino acids found in the building blocks of our DNA. In reality the information coded in the collagen molecule is too much to be processed through the skin. Simply put, any collagen being applied to the skin is not being absorbed.
Collagen can however be absorbed through consumption. It is promoted that it can be absorbed through the intake of other supplements and there is some evidence that collagen supplements improve the elasticity of the skin, but none of the collagen supplements on the market today has been tested through peer-review or been approved by FDA regulations. Without the research needed, we also do not know the possible side-effects of these over-the-counter supplements.
Therefore, a healthy diet is the most important way to maintain protein. The most popular method currently is to ingest collagen through bone broths. Bone broth made with vinegar allows the release of collagen that can be ingested and used by the body. This process is similar to the making of gelatin which is a source of collagen. Collagen requires other nutrients for production: vitamin C, proline, glycine, copper, and zinc. These nutrients are found in oranges, strawberries, mushroom, fish, eggs, oysters, broccoli and many other elements of a healthy, well-rounded diet.
“To increase collagen production, ingest collagen through a healthy diet, exercise, and protect the skin through an intentional skincare routine.”
Along with a great diet there are facial massages have been shown to have positive effects on promoting the creation of collagen naturally. This is where your skincare routine comes into play. Firstly, you have use of anti-aging skincare treatments like all of the products sold at The Hyla Store. When applying the oils, cream or butters, use skin stimulating massages to active the cells withing the skin. There are also mechanical facial massage tools set to frequency that match the stimulation needed to promote young, smoother skin, but your hands work just fine. Just remember Never pull or drag the face downward while massaging.
In conclusion, collagen is important to the daily functions of the body and as we get older, we produce less naturally. To increase collage production, ingest collagen through a healthy diet, exercise, and protect the skin through an intentional skincare routine. Activities like smoking, drinking alcohol, and ingesting processed sugar are not advisable. Always wear sun screen and sun protection: long sleeves, sun hat, UVA protecting sunglasses. Getting adequate amounts of sleep and managing stress and exercise also contribute to collagen creation.
Sources
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen
