The whole truth about how collagen acts on the body

Collagen, according to some, is a magical elixir that helps to get rid of wrinkles, and also strengthens hair and nails. But is it really so effective, or is this all the usual hype?

What is collagen?

It is one of the most basic proteins in our body. Collagen is a significant part of our skin, hair and nails, so it's no surprise that it is so popular in the world of beauty. The protein is a polypeptide that contains several amino acids, such as proline and glycine, and they are present in the connective tissue (cartilage, bones, etc.). Your body needs collagen, but the body can produce it on its own, so most of us do not really need to add collagen powder to food or take it as vitamin supplements.

Collagen and your body

The human body does not completely absorb collagen. If you want to take it in tablets in order to contribute to the growth of bones, nails and hair, then this is a stupid idea. Our body breaks collagen in the digestive system into amino acids, which the body uses wherever they are needed, but it will not automatically shine your skin. On the other hand, if you start taking collagen additionally, it can induce your body to produce even more of this protein. A lot of studies have been carried out, their results prove that collagen is useful for bones and joints.

Collagen and skin

Before taking such an additive in the hope that by this you will improve the skin condition, think about the following information. At the moment, there are actually very few validated data or narrow scientific studies on collagen in the form of tablets. Consequently, no one knows exactly whether these additives will really benefit your skin, because we are already sticking to a balanced diet with different sources of protein, such as chicken, fish, eggs, nuts and yogurt. In one study, it was shown that women who regularly took this protein for eight weeks, got rid of wrinkles by 20 percent.

Collagen and hair

With age, the natural level of collagen in your body decreases, so taking supplements attracts many, promises sound appealing. It has been proven that collagen prevents hair loss, stimulates their growth and reduces the appearance of gray hair, while maintaining a healthy structure of the hair follicle, where the pigment is produced. In addition, it has been repeatedly proven that such additives are very effective in the treatment of dry brittle hair, because they maintain a healthy level of moisture in the curls.

Collagen, diet and lifestyle

It's not enough just to take and drink such an additive. According to the results of the research, vitamin C and collagen should be used together, because if you have too little vitamin C in your body, then, in turn, you do not have enough protein. Cabbage, red fruits and carrots naturally stimulate the production of collagen. Along with the natural reduction in the production of natural collagen, with age, modern lifestyle factors such as stress, poor diet and imbalance of bowel health can reduce the body's ability to produce it.

Types of collagen

There are three types of protein. The 1st type covers 90 percent of the skin, hair, nails, bones, ligaments, which makes it irreplaceable for beauty and skin condition. The second type affects the health of cartilage. Collagen type 3 refers to fibrous proteins in bones, cartilage, dentin, tendons and other connective tissues.

Source of irreplaceable protein

You can get collagen in many forms. Each tablet contains up to one gram of this element, and also contains other useful additives, such as, for example, vitamin C, which helps your body produce even more protein. There is also collagen powder and liquid suitable for people who do not want to take tablets or have problems with swallowing. However, this form of output is limited. If you are a vegetarian, now vegetarian supplements are available that can contain a mixture of amino acids, wheat extract and vitamins, instead of by-products of animal origin. You can also get this indispensable protein from fish, beef, pork and chicken.

What additives should I avoid

Although the presence of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in the composition is excellent for maximizing the benefits of the supplement, there are some ingredients that should be avoided. These include glucosamine and arginine. You should also avoid preparations with fillers such as maltodextrin, flavors, sugar, oil, and artificial ingredients are also undesirable. There are many other unnecessary ingredients, such as amino acids, that will help in recovery after a muscle injury, but for the rest of the tissues will be useless.