The Weekly Sugar Rush - Lets Look At Collagen Supplements In More Detail
If you remember last week in the Sugar Rush I talked about what actually is collagen and why we need it in our body. As we age the amount of collagen we produce reduces which impacts not only our skin condition but also the health of our whole skeletal system.
For women over 40 I advise taking a supplement to boost production (some women like to get it from food source that I also outlined in last weeks edition too)
What should you look for in a collagen supplement?
For a collagen supplement to actually work effectively, meaning, to help your body produce and maintain healthy collagen any supplement you take should be paired with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and zinc. Here's why each of these is important:
1. Vitamin C – The Collagen Catalyst
Your body can’t make collagen without vitamin C. It’s a cofactor in the enzymatic processes that synthesize collagen from amino acids like glycine and proline. It also provides protection for the collagen from being attacked by free radicals (nasty little substances that speed up the ageing process and that are often produced when we metabolise sugar)
2. Hyaluronic Acid – The Hydration Hero
HA keeps skin and joints hydrated and plump, which complements collagen’s role in structure and firmness. Good hydration helps the body produce more collagen and acts a bit like a sponge, holding up to 1000x its weight in water!
3. Zinc – The Healing Helper
Zinc is critical for collagen formation and wound healing. Low zinc = poor skin repair and weaker collagen. It helps activate enzymes that build collagen and protect against collagen breakdown plus it also supports your immune system and skin regeneration.
So all 4 ingredients work together like this:
Collagen peptides = raw materials
Vitamin C = the builder
Hyaluronic acid = the hydrator
Zinc = the support crew
A good supplement includes all these because they create the ideal environment for your body to produce, protect, and use collagen effectively.
Next week I will share with you the difference between bovine and marine collagen to help you understand which one is best for you.