Collagen has been receiving a lot of hype lately, and it’s a great thing that people are becoming more aware of the importance of collagen health. Unfortunately, however, most people have a very poor understanding of what collagen is, how to keep collagen healthy, or how to build collagen effectively. In this article, we’re going to get clear on what collagen is, how it is made, and how you can build your collagen health naturally.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a type of protein found throughout the body. In fact, it is the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen is what provides the support and strength to cell structures including our bones, organs, vascular system, connective tissue, hair, skin, and nails.
Collagen binds cells together like glue, keeping the integrity of cell structures. It also makes up 40% of our skin, which is why collagen health is so important for skin health and appearance. Collagen is responsible for skin elasticity—this is what gives skin its ability to move, stretch and rebound into shape. When we lose skin elasticity, wrinkles and visible signs of aging begin to form. This is why it’s so important to keep your collagen levels high, especially as you age.
Collagen Levels Drop Significantly After the Age of 30
After 30, collagen production slows down significantly, and the signs of aging begin to gradually become more apparent. To prevent this, and to stay looking young and beautiful, we need to keep our collagen levels healthy. So, how do we do this? Well, first we need to understand what collagen is actually made of, so that we know what to give our bodies to produce more collagen.
Collagen Precursors
Protein is composed of long chains of amino acids. Amino acids are the precursors to all forms of protein, they are what make protein, and what protein is broken down to when we consume protein. The precursors to the collagen protein are the amino acids L-Lysine and L-Proline. Getting adequate amounts of these proteins is essential for collagen production—as is consuming adequate amounts of Vitamin C, as it is essential for the process of collagen synthesis in the body.
The Problem with Collagen Supplements
Because collagen is made up of amino acids and Vitamin C, taking collagen supplements is not really the best way to build collagen. Almost all collagen supplements on the market are composed of whole collagen molecules that come from animal tissues. The molecular size of the collagen protein is very large, and very difficult for the body to break down and absorb. Besides, whole collagen molecules are not what the body uses to build collagen. It needs the necessary nutrients to use as precursors for building collagen itself. This is by far the most effective way to build and maintain collagen health.
The Problem with Protein
Protein is essential to all of the body’s tissues and it is necessary for health. However, most people do not get nearly enough of the essential and non-essential amino acids that are needed for health on a daily basis.
Even people that eat high amounts of protein in their diet often do not get the adequate amino acids, and if they do, it is often in a form that is difficult for the body to truly absorb. To make matters worse, so many people nowadays suffer from digestive issues that make it difficult to truly break down and assimilate the protein that they consume. Because of this, it is highly recommended to supplement with a high-quality amino acid supplement.
Zuma Nutrition has a great amino acid complex supplement, and what is unique about their product is that it contains all of the essential and non-essential amino acids, as opposed to just the essential amino acids. They also ensure the dosage is high enough to meet the recommended daily intake, and the amino acids are formulated to be highly bioavailable and easily digested by the body.
Collagen health is extremely important, especially as we age. To keep your collagen levels healthy, make sure you are getting adequate amounts of the right nutrients that help to build collagen each day.