What is collagen?

Collagen is one of the most participant proteins (30%) in our body. It is found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system, joints, hair, nails… It provides support and elasticity for the body. It is characterized by high tensile strength. 

Collagen contains as many as 18 essential and non-essential amino acids, the most important of which are:

• Proline: 15% of collagen consists of the amino acid proline. Proline and glycine play the greatest role in the structure and firmness of the body. Proline helps maintain the cardiovascular system, tissue and joint regeneration. 
• Glycine: Despite being the smallest amino acid in terms of size, glycine has a significant impact. It takes care of the proper functioning of cells, helps to build healthy DNA, participates in the production of growth hormone, improves the quality of sleep, reduces the chances of inflammation, improves digestion, helps with joint mobility... Glycine is one of the three amino acids that make up creatine.
• Glutamine: is one of the most important amino acids in our body. Research shows that it helps with anxiety, insomnia, lack of concentration, poor metabolism, weakened immune system and low energy levels. It has been proven to have a positive effect on growth hormone production.
• Arginine: Arginine plays an important role in cell division, wound healing, ammonia removal from the body, immune system function and hormone release. It is necessary for the synthesis of creatine.

Why do we need collagen?

Our body is able to synthesize collagen from the amino acids we eat. The natural production of collagen in our body decreases over the years. After 30 years of age, collagen production decreases by up to 2% per year! In addition to aging, our diet, stress, free radicals and lifestyle (alcohol and smoking) can also have a very negative effect on collagen production. If the organism does not have enough building blocks (amino acids) available for collagen synthesis, over time this begins to show on our body in the form of injuries, pain in the joints, digestive problems, signs of aging on the skin... Pure collagen powder its origin is completely natural and by taking collagen powder in the form of food supplement we are adding an ingredient that is naturally present in our body, but the amount decreases over the years.

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides (pure collagen powder) is obtained from pharmaceutical gelatin with the help of enzymatic degradation. Hydrolyzed collagen processed in this way is proven to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and is largely placed in the articular cartilage. The body produces it in the same way (by enzymatic hydrolysis) during the period of growth and development up to the age of 25.

How important is collagen in the daily diet? Very important!

Benefits of collagen:

1. It improves the health and elasticity of our skin

Studies prove that the consumption of collagen in the form of a dietary supplement affects the elasticity of the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. (1) Eating collagen triggers the synthesis of new collagen fibers, which helps support and structure skin tissue. (2) (3)

2. Contributes to a healthy digestive tract

Collagen helps to improve problems with stomach acid, ulcers and sensitive stomach lining. The amino acids glycine and proline help improve overall gut health as they are proven to improve the walls of the digestive tract. The amino acid glutamine helps to reduce inflammatory conditions in the intestines and prevents various intestinal diseases.

3. Helps with joint pain 

By the age of 20, our body synthesizes collagen on its own, but after the age of 25, collagen synthesis begins to decline sharply. Our joints therefore become more stressed, the connective tissue can become inflamed and damaged more quickly. Collagen powder can help prevent the negative effects of arthritis, osteopenia (loss of bone mass) and sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass). Collagen can help stimulate the synthesis of chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and thus help improve joint mobility and reduce joint pain (4). 

In addition to the main characteristics stated above, the consumption of collagen in the form of a dietary supplement can also be useful for:

4. Helps healing the wounds 

Collagen is necessary for the repair and healing of connective tissues, joints, tendons, muscles, bones and cartilage. By adding collagen, we can speed up and ensure proper healing of injuries.

A source of collagen

In nature, the source of collagen is exclusively animal, there are no plant sources of collagen. There are several types of collagen. The most represented in our body are Type I, II, and III.

Use

In the online store www.lchf.style two types of collagen are available in the form of hydrolyzed collagen peptide powder: 

• Bovine collagen
• Marine collagen 

Using collagen in your daily diet is extremely simple. Both products are tasteless and odorless and completely soluble in cold and hot drinks. It is recommended to consume 10g of collagen powder each day, which can easily be added to any drink, soup, coffee, yogurt, kefir, sauces... Synthesis of collagen increases if you take it vitamin C (in the form of a supplement or in the form of food rich in vitamin C).

The difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen

Both are of extremely high-quality source of type I collagen. They are different in absorption and in the size of the molecules. Marine collagen is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently and is therefore considered one of the best sources of collagen for medical purposes.

Sources:

(1) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jocd.12174

(2) Matsuda N. et al., 2006, Effects of ingestion of collagen peptide on collagen fibrils and glycosaminoglycans in the dermis, Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 52:211-215

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23949208 

(4) Oesser S. And Seifert, J., 2003, Stimulation of type II collagen biosynthesis and secretion in bovine chondrocytes cultured with degraded collagen, Cell Tissue Research, 311:393-399

Other sources: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20093739

Wellness Mama – Benefits of Collagen

http://collagencomplete.com/benefits-collagen/

Dr. Josh Axe – What is Collagen? 7 Ways Collagen Can Boost Your Health

10 Reasons to Eat More Collagen

Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix