By now I’m sure you’ve heard of collagen, but do you really know how beneficial it is? I know I didn’t, and to be honest I definitely did not think it was something I should be incorporating into my daily routine OR how easy it was to do so.
Let’s start with what exactly collagen is. First, collagen is a protein already found in our bodies; making up about 30% of our protein in our bodies, about 70-80% of the protein in our skin AND it begins to decline at the age of 25. It’s made up of many amino acids, all of which help to build and repair our body. Here are just a few benefits of this wonderful protein:
Helps repair a leaky gut – If you’ve ever experienced symptoms such as migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, chronic fatigue, food allergies, chronic joint pain, etc. you may have intestinal permeability of the lining of the small intestine, aka “leaky gut”. Luckily, simple things, such as collagen, can dramatically assist with gut repair. Collagen helps to reduce gut inflammation, heal stomach ulcers, aid in digestion, and regulate stomach acid secretion.
Improves liver function– Two main amino acids found in collagen are Glycine and Arginine. Glycine, which is the main amino, can synthesize glutathione and glutathione provides protection to cells and body tissue and aids in detoxification. Arginine assists with the ammonia removal function of the liver.
Strengthens hair, skin, and nails –Collagen can make your skin appear firmer and smoother by renewing and repairing cells. When it begins to break down as you age, skin elasticity decreases and therefore things like cellulite, stretch marks, and wrinkles become more obvious. Collagen improves that elasticity along with moisture retention resulting in smother skin. Some cases even showed reversal of hair loss due to collagen supplementation.
Protects your heart– It provides the structure of your arteries and has been proven to prevent and treat the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels.
Boosts metabolism– Glycine, the amino acid mentioned earlier, forms lean muscle by converting glucose into energy, this boosts your metabolism because muscle burns more calories than fat. Collagen can also assist with suppressing your appetite.
Prevents joint pain– Because collagen consists of those amino acids, your body will use those to protect and rebuild the cartilage in your joints and reduce inflammation, thus preventing pain. It can also aid with improving symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
With all of these benefits it’s hard to think of a good excuse to not try supplementing with this vital protein. There are many ways to get collagen, however the easiest way would be through flavorless powder [try K-Pow’s new collagen powder now!] – easily mixed in drinks, soups, shakes, etc.!
