What is Collagen? And Should You Be Adding It To Your Morning Routine?

Collagen is a protein that's naturally found in the connective tissues of your body. It helps to form ligaments, bones, skin, and other tissue. You can also find it in our diet by eating foods like beef, poultry, and fish. As we age, collagen production slows down, which leads to wrinkles and sagging skin. The collagen supplements help to support the skin, hair, and nails.

Collagen is a great supplement for your morning routine because it easily absorbs your body through the stomach walls. It's also very easy on your digestive system, so you can take large doses without any side effects. Collagen comes in many different forms, such as powder, liquid, or pill form, depending on what works best for you. If you're looking at adding collagen to your diet, make sure they are high-quality products.

‍So Should You Be Adding It To Your Morning Routine?

‍Yes! Collagen's benefits are endless. Adding it to your morning routine or nightly skincare regime can help you look younger, feel stronger and support overall health! It will leave skin looking plumper and smoother while also giving you better flexibility so that you'll be less likely to get injured during day-to-day activities. Adding collagen peptides into your diet is the best way of getting their full potential. Still, there are other ways, like using a collagen cream in the morning before applying any makeup, for example. Just make sure not to apply it too close to the eyes because many people do experience some irritation when they use products containing collagen near their delicate eye area. Collagen creams usually come with hyaluronic acid, which has been shown to hydrate the skin and protect it from free radicals. Collagen powder is available in three forms: hydrolysate, peptides, and protein. Each form has different benefits, so it's worth exploring the differences before deciding which one you'd like to add to your lifestyle.

1) The Benefits of Adding it To Your Morning Routine:

If you follow a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep, adding collagen to your morning routine can boost the results even further. The added nutrients that support overall health will give your growing muscles more strength which means increased speed during workouts and better endurance on those tough days at work or school! It's also great for giving damaged cells some extra nourishment, so it helps fight off disease too.

‍2)Helps Relieve Joint Pain:

‍Collagen, especially hydrolysate collagen peptides, has been found to improve joint pain. This makes it a great supplement for those suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions like lupus or gout.

‍3) Could Prevent None Loss:

‍Collagen peptides have been found to improve bone density which helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Collagen is one important building block of healthy bones, so it makes sense that adding more would be beneficial.

‍4) It Can Be Added To Your Morning Smoothie:

‍This is a great way to ensure you're getting enough nutrients in your diet each day. It's also easy and convenient, especially if you are always on the go! Collagen powder can be added into pretty much anything from smoothies to soups or even baked goods like muffins, for example. The flavor it adds varies depending on what type of collagen powder you're using, but most people find it very pleasant with no aftertaste, so this shouldn't give any cause for concern!

‍5) Supports Weight Loss:

‍Collagen peptides have been shown to support healthy blood sugar levels and glucose metabolism, which can be helpful for those trying to lose some excess weight. Collagen powder is also great for curbing cravings, so you'll feel fuller for longer, even after eating smaller portions.
This means that collagen isn't just about looking good on the outside; it's important from within too! So why not add it to your morning routine? It will help keep you looking young while supporting overall health like hair growth, skin quality, and more!

‍6) Can Help Improve Sleep:

‍Adding collagen peptides into your diet helps soothe the digestive tract, which in turn can give you a better night's rest. This is because it works to remove toxins from the body, including those produced by harmful bacteria that live in the gut! It also reduces inflammation and improves bowel movements too.

‍7) It's Safe For Everyone:

Collagen peptides are great because they're suitable for the whole family! Even babies can benefit from it as a source of protein and nutrients that support growth. It isn't addictive, so you don't have to worry about stopping once you start adding it into your lifestyle either. Simply add in some collagen powder before bed and continue with your day until it's gone- simple!

‍8) Improves Heart Health:

‍Collagen peptides have been shown to support heart health by increasing the flexibility of blood vessels, reducing your chances of experiencing a fatal cardiovascular event. This makes it even more important for those with high cholesterol or hypertension as well!

‍9) Increased Muscle Mass:

‍Collagen is rich in an amino acid called glycine, which has been shown to support muscle growth. This means it's especially great for those looking to bulk up or tone down because the added protein will help build strength, increase endurance and improve recovery times too!

‍10) Reduce Wrinkles:

‍Collagen is great for the skin because it supports collagen production. This means that when applied topically, it can help reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging, keeping you looking young! Natural sources of collagen include bone broth or even ground beef, so try to stick with these rather than supplements whenever possible. They offer a more nutritious profile overall with additional health benefits too!!

The Key to Glowing Skin - why you should be adding collagen to your daily routine

Back to school

You. You are collagen. It’s the most plentiful protein in our muscle mass and connective tissue, bones, and skin. Within our bodies, it is, quite simply, the glue that helps hold us together. Outside, it gives skin its tensile, elastic quality. Good stuff, right?

But there’s some bad news. The way our body produces collagen naturally slows as we age. Got wrinkles and joint pain? You can thank collagen, or the lack thereof, for that. And that’s where supplements have taken center stage.

Sure, it’s natural. But is it safe?

If you aren’t a vegetarian, you probably consume collagen on a daily basis. Fish, poultry, and red meat are high in naturally occurring collagen. But you might be surprised to learn that leafy greens, garlic, and beans contain some types of collagen in them too. (Yes, garlic!) But sometimes food alone isn’t enough. You’ll find collagen in powder mixes and capsules. It comes down to personal preference. Most modern processes hydrolyze the proteins in collagen to make them easier to absorb. Hydrolyzation means that the amino acid chains are broken down enough to allow for the product to dissolve in hot and cold liquids — and our guts.

In terms of supplementation, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements unless a manufacturer makes specific claims about it curing disease. You can always do some research to see if a third-party group like the NSF, UL, or USP has tested it for safety. Checking for recalls and speaking to your healthcare professional is best practice before beginning a supplementation routine. However, if you’re squeamish, you might want to take a look at the source because some companies use animal byproducts. And it’s important to note that if you’re allergic to seafood and certain shellfish, you should avoid “marine collagen” supplements for obvious reasons.

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What’s in it for me?

Anecdotally, you’ll hear people report firmer skin, glowing skin, reduced pore size, and plumper skin with regular collagen supplementation. Longer and stronger hair and nails are often touted as benefits of increased collagen intake. While others report a reduction in joint aches and pains. Is it a cure-all? Probably not. As with everything, avoiding smoking and alcohol, drinking plenty of water, and eating well play a big part. There is data that show a supplement regime is effective. Proksch, Segger, and Degwert performed a double-blind controlled study investigating the anti-aging properties of collagen supplementation in 2013. Just 2-2.5 grams of collagen hydrolysate, taken once daily by women between 35-55 for 8 weeks, showed statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity, moisture, and texture.

Medical studies are great, but did you know collagen is Jen Aniston’s supplement of choice?

Sure, she’s probably got an incredible facialist and does yoga every day. But celebrity Jennifer Aniston credits her glow to working from the inside out, starting with collagen supplements. Though she’s taken Vital Proteins for years, she’s recently become a brand ambassador with an official title. According to their website, Jen’s “go-to collagen routine is adding Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides ($25; shop now on vitalproteins.com) in my morning cup of coffee or smoothie – so easy to use.” She also uses their creamer as a dairy-free alternative in her morning cup of joe. You’ll find tons of flavored options, but Vital Proteins makes an NSF certified unflavored collagen peptide product. We think it’s a great place to start to make sure it works well with your system.

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Get your glow on!

• Make or consume real bone broth.
• Eat the rainbow. A well-balanced, nutrient rich diet will aid absorption of any collagen peptide you consume.
• Include protein powder into your sweet and savory recipes — even baked goods. Take a quality collagen supplement.
• Treat yourself to nightly facial massage to stimulate collagen production and glowing skin.
• Research aestheticians and dermatologists in your area who offer peels, red light therapy, and laser treatments.
  

Here’s a hot tip: don’t worry too much about having collagen as a primary topical ingredient in your skincare routine. The molecule is simply too large to permeate the skin, so save your money for quality supplements.