Collagen – Over Hype or Keep it UP!

It’s 2021 and EVERYONE, EVERYTHING and EVERY INDUSTRY is focusing on health first. We are in a pandemic for crying out loud, and finally people are putting the most emphasis on their health needs before anything else. (Thank goodness.) 

 

We can all agree that the health trend has smacked us upside the head, and specifically collagen has been a huge trend that is constantly being marketed. From tiny packets you can put in your purse, to coffee creamers with collagen, to green powders with collagen, and the list goes on.  Collagen is one of the biggest health trends to date whether it be in liquid, powder or capsule form. 

 

So what is collagen and is it over hyped or should we make it a staple in our daily health regimen?

 

COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS:

WHAT IS COLLAGEN? Let’s get technical, shall we?

According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, “collagen is a strong, rope-like molecule that forms stretch-resistant fibers. The most abundant protein in our bodies, collagen accounts for about a quarter of our total protein mass. Among its many functions is giving strength to our tendons, ligaments and bones and providing scaffolding for skin wounds to heal.”

So, why do we care? Over time, as we age, the rope-like “building blocks” or  “framework,” start to break down, and our bodies produce less collagen–affecting everything from our skin to our muscles, joints, internal organs and more.  This is why we see wrinkles, get aches in our joints, lose elasticity in our skin overall and so on. Taking a supplement can definitely help counteract this breakdown.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLLAGEN AND COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS:

There are several types of collagen that exist in our bodies, but the majority of them are types 1-3–which support tissue in hair, skin, nails, joints, ligaments and muscles.

Just as there are many types of collagen, there are also many types of collagen supplements in all different forms. They all pretty much come from two main sources: animals, like cows and chickens, and collagen sourced from fish, referred to as “marine collagen.” You can get these forms of collagen in powder, liquid and capsule form.

DO COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS WORK?

In my professional opinion and experience taking collagen daily, YES it works. You may hear a lot of back and forth on this. Just like the idea of taking any other supplement,  some say yes, and some say no. Since the idea of collagen supplementation is still fairly new, continuous research is being done and I’m constantly asking professionals  their opinions and experience with clients as well.  However, preliminary trials in current research have shown promising results:

Many studies have shown that an oral nutritional supplement of hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, and essential vitamins and minerals, leads to a significant improvement in wrinkle depth as well as noticeable improvement in skin elasticity and hydration. I like to think of it as “insurance” on my body. Taking supplements can be so beneficial as we don’t ever really know how much we are consuming by the foods we are eating. 

Additional studies show that it improves joint pain in athletes, and reduces knee pain in those with osteoarthritis. Which is huge! As a fitness pro and sports nutritionist this is a game changer to better a person’s overall health, and can aid in so many ways the tougher we are on our bodies as we age. Let’s just talk about aging. As we age, our ligaments, muscle tissue, hair and skin lose “strength.”  Let’s take care of that by supplementing with the building blocks essential for all of those things. Sounds simple right? It is! 

Something that is also EXTREMELY important to optimal health, and that some research is showing, is that collagen may help those with gut issues (i.e. “leaky gut”). This is so important for our overall immune system and health as a whole. I’ll dive into “gut health” in another blog soon! 

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Collagen is a very safe supplement to take as long as it’s from a high-quality source. The biggest risk factor according, to my research, is if you have an allergy. For example, if you’re allergic to fish and you take a marine collagen supplement, this may cause some issues. It’s always best to ask a professional before implementing any new supplements into your diet.

 

MY NEW FAVORITE TYPE OF COLLAGEN

Collagen Key – Vegan Collagen Building Blocks by MONAT

 

“Supports the body’s natural production of collagen, adding strength and resilience to the hair, skin, and nails. Contains an amino acid blend utilized by the body to maintain existing collagen levels and replace lost collagen.”

 

FEATURES: 

• Vegan-sourced amino acids to support collagen production

• Supports the healthy appearance of hair, skin, and nails

• Supports skin moisture, elasticity, and smoothness

• Potent antioxidants

• Sugar-free natural Peach Berry formula (YUM!)

 

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

• Vegan Amino Acid Blend
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Resveratrol
• Biotin
• Vitamin C

 

Feel free to ASK ME any questions you may have about adding collagen into your daily routine!  GET your COLLAGEN HERE! ( https://melinafitness.mymonat.com/collagen )

 

HYPE IT UP MORE

From my perspective, collagen is an absolute staple in any health regiment. It should be implemented daily and I personally love all the marketing that brands are doing incorporating collagen into their products. I encourage you all to start incorporating collagen into your diet and I would love to hear your feedback on how the supplement is working for you.

 

Thank you so much for trusting ME to share my knowledge and expertise on various health and wellness topics with all of you and I’m looking forward to sharing more with you ALL in 2021!

 

Xoxo, Melina