Should I take collagen?
I wanted to look at collagen supplements in more detail because I have had so many questions recently including should I take it?
So what actually is collagen and why do 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. But before you rush out to buy the collagen you saw on line let me explain a few things.
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 are important
1. Vitamin C Your body can’t make collagen without vitamin C. It’s a cofactor in the enzymatic processes that synthesize collagen from amino acids. 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 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 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.
However there is one more thing I want you to know - it is really important to know the source of the collagen peptides. Bovine collagen comes from cows, and marine collagen from the oceans. The skeleton of a cow that had mad cow disease, or a fish that was swimming in polluted waters can still be used to create collagen.
If you want to take a collagen supplement make sure it is organic can comes from healthy grass fed cows or the fish came from cleaner waters. And always always ask if the company test for impurities and toxins.
This is the one I recommend because I know it is clean and gets the best results for clients:
https://suethomas.synergyworldwide.com/GB/en-gb/Shop/Product/collagen
