You may have noticed that collagen has become a bit of a trend in the health, beauty and wellness world. And everyday there is a new skincare product, supplement or article touting its benefits.
But with so many formulas, variations and sources of collagen now on the market – marine, animal, hydrolyzed, powdered, liquid – it can be confusing to know where to start.
BUT FIRST, WHAT IS COLLAGEN?
As the most abundant protein in our bodies, collagen plays an essential role in the health of our bones, joints and connective tissues, muscles, gut, nails, hair and skin. In fact, 75–80 percent of the skin’s structure is made up of collagen – so ensuring we support our body’s production of it is super important if we want to enjoy a healthy, glowing complexion.
Our bodies naturally make collagen by combining amino acids – from protein-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, dairy and eggs – with key vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, zinc and copper. The trouble is however, that as we age, our body’s ability to produce and synthesise collagen naturally declines, leading to fine lines and wrinkles, sagging, dull and lacklustre skin.
THE GUT-SKIN-COLLAGEN CONNECTION
Where there is gut inflammation, there will be skin inflammation and this means an accelerated decline of collagen and elastin as well as susceptibility to skin problems– including acne, congestion and eczema. Although our production and ability to synthesise collagen decreases with age, our diet and lifestyle choices as well as our exposure to free radicals and oxidative stress can also influence the rate at which collagen declines. This is why eating foods rich in antioxidants is so important as antioxidants help to combat the effects of free radicals, which attack collagen.
As I always say, ‘beauty begins in the belly’ so nourishing your body with nutrient-dense wholefoods will not only improve your gut health and decrease inflammation, but the ripple effect is that your skin will glow from the inside, out.
HOW TO BOOST YOUR COLLAGEN INTAKE
Try bone broth. Rich in glycine – the amino acid that helps to protect and strengthen our gut – as well as proline – which supports collagen production – and L-glutamine – which strengthens the intestinal barrier, bone broth is incredibly anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce both gut and skin inflammation.
Supplement Wisely. It can be super confusing choosing a collagen supplement and while there are a myriad of both animal and marine collagen options now available, we believe it is first most important to choose a supplement that contains ingredients that support our body’s natural production and ability to synthesise collagen. Our COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost, for example, is a beauty-boosting elixir that is packed with antioxidant-rich superfoods – including maqui berry, papaya, pomegranate, blueberry and acai – which help to boost your body’s natural collagen production. All the ingredients have also been supercharged by our exclusive bio-fermentation process – Flora Culture™ – which means the final formula contains gut-loving probiotic bacteria to support gut health and promote glowing skin from within.
Up your intake of Vitamin C. When it comes to collagen synthesis, vitamin C is of supreme importance. It also helps to boost the body’s levels of glutathione – the master antioxidant produced by the body to combat free radical and oxidative damage, helping to prevent cellular ageing. Good sources of vitamin C include dark leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, broccoli and strawberries – as well as our GLOW Inner Beauty Essential and COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost.
