Let’s Dive into the Collagen Craze!
Hey there, beauty enthusiasts!
Have you noticed the explosion of beauty products boasting collagen in their ingredients list? Well, grab your magnifying glasses, because it’s time to unravel this mystery! Spoiler alert: it’s mostly a clever marketing ploy! The truth is, collagen molecules are way too big to penetrate the deeper layers of your skin.
So, What Exactly is Collagen?
Let’s break it down! Collagen is a superstar protein that hangs out in your skin, hair, nails, tendons, bones, blood vessels, and even your digestive system. In fact, it makes up a whopping 70% of your skin’s protein! Your body naturally churns out collagen using amino acids from protein-packed foods like bone broth, meats, and fish.
But here’s the kicker: by the time you hit your mid-20s, your body starts to slow down its collagen production. Yikes! And what’s to blame besides aging? Sun damage, smoking, partying too hard with drugs and alcohol, pollution, and an unhealthy diet full of processed foods, sugars, and hydrogenated oils are all culprits trying to steal your collagen glory. Stress, dehydration, and poor gut health are also sneaky saboteurs! 😱
Now, here’s the scoop: small studies on oral collagen show marginal benefits, and there haven’t been any large-scale trials that prove it works wonders for skin and hair health. So, before you rush to the supplement aisle, let’s keep it real!
If You’re Thinking of Supplements...
Opt for collagen products with minimal additives and fillers. Remember, supplements aren’t regulated, so do your homework! A lot of brands offer collagen that’s only 50-60% bioavailable, which is a fancy way of saying it’s too large and heavy for your body to absorb efficiently. To make it easier for your body to use, they need to process it heavily.
This is where hydrolyzed collagen comes into play! They break down those pesky bonds using natural enzymes to make it 90% bioavailable. That may sound great but just like anything else that’s heavily processed, there can be unintended additives.
For example, an independent research company I trust, Mamavation, tested various collagen brands and found that many had more than 0.5 micrograms of lead. Yikes again! That’s a big no-no according to California's Prop 65. If you are unfamiliar, CA Prop 65 is a law that requires businesses to provide warnings to consumers about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Those are some serious health issues. You can check out more about their findings over at www.mamavation.com.
So, What Can You Do for Your Skin?
Embrace a healthy lifestyle! Fill your plate with nourishing foods, get your body moving, and if you smoke—now’s the time to kick that habit to the curb! What is this the 70’s?! 😳. Limit your alcohol intake and keep that sun exposure in check. There are also some fabulous allies in your skincare journey: red-light therapy, retinol, ginseng, aloe vera taken orally, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and antioxidants can all help keep your skin looking youthful and vibrant!
And let’s not forget about the delicious foods that can help you achieve that soft, supple skin you crave! Think wild-caught Alaskan salmon, a rainbow of berries, zesty oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and of course, garlic (because who doesn’t love a little flavor?)!
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Here’s to glowing skin and happy days ahead! 🌈💖
