Hi Guys..
Did you know that nowadays there are so many different kinds of collagen drinks out there? From cheap ones to expensive ones. From powder formulas to ready-to-drink packaged options, everything is available.
But do you actually know what collagen is? What are its benefits? And who actually needs collagen the most?
Let's check it out together.
Collagen is a type of protein made up of amino acids, which are formed from carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. About 33% of the protein in the human body consists of collagen, and around 75% of our skin is also formed from collagen. So, we really do need collagen, don't we?
As Alyssa R. Golas, MD, a plastic surgeon at NYU Langone Health puts it, "Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It is formed from linked and interconnected amino acids, building collagen fibers." According to her, various types of collagen can be found in places like tendons, skin, cartilage, scar tissue, bones, and blood vessels. Collagen itself is highly needed during wound healing, providing strength to our skin as well as our skin structure.
Now, let's look into the benefits of collagen. Collagen offers such diverse benefits for the body that if a decline in collagen production occurs, it can have a major impact. Therefore, it is important for us to live a healthy lifestyle to boost collagen production.
Some benefits of Collagen:
- Improving blood circulation to the skin
- Healing wounds and injuries
- Slowing down graying hair
- Reducing facial wrinkles
- Protecting hair follicles from damage
- Maintaining hair strength
- Reducing cellulite
Wow, those are amazing benefits for us. If that's the case, we must always maintain our collagen levels so they don't decline.
There are reasons why our collagen decreases. As we age, our collagen production drops, causing our skin to become dry and wrinkles to appear. Besides the age factor, there are several other causes:
- Frequent sun exposure
- Lack of sleep
- Consuming foods high in sugar
- Smoking habits
Since collagen is so essential for our bodies, guys, let's keep taking care of ourselves so it doesn't drop too much. There are natural ways to stimulate collagen formation:
- Eat foods high in amino acids, such as fish, eggs, and meat
- Consume foods rich in vitamin A and vitamin C
- Eat foods containing anthocyanins and proline, like soybeans and cheese
- Quit smoking habits
- Protect yourself from sun exposure
- Cut back on sweet foods
After talking about collagen, you must be familiar with the collagen drinks mushrooming in the market today. Do you think those collagen drinks actually make a difference?
The collagen drinks currently available in the market are widely claimed to help maintain skin health, with some even claiming to help you look youthful.
According to Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital US, "Collagen is a binding protein found in bones and cartilage as a structural protein, and its function is to provide strength and shape the human body." The collagen drinks on the market are generally made from fish cartilage supplemented with vitamins and minerals.
According to dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D., the benefits of collagen drink supplements aren't actually as extraordinary as some manufacturers claim. She also mentioned that the benefits of collagen drink supplements have not yet been validly proven clinically.
Furthermore, according to Engelman and Zeichner, the benefits of collagen drink supplements have not been completely proven effective for maintaining skin health. They explained that collagen coming from food or drinks has a low probability of actually reaching the skin. Once collagen enters the body, it is broken down into amino acids and then distributed to the parts of the body that need it most. Usually, it is utilized by major muscles and organs like the heart, stomach, and brain. The skin is not a priority in this distribution process.
However, if we frequently eat a well-balanced nutritious diet and lead a healthy life, it is unlikely for the skin to lack collagen.
According to Zhaoping Li, M.D., a nutritionist from the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, collagen drinks might be beneficial for the elderly because their collagen levels have significantly declined.
So, what do you guys think? Do we really need to take collagen drinks?
In my opinion, you should always pay close attention to the ingredients listed on the collagen drink. If necessary, don't hesitate to consult your favorite doctor.
Thank you
See you next time, guys