Can Collagen Help Us Stay Healthy As We Age
Collagen is well - known for its role in maintaining an elastic and youthful appearance of the skin. But the benefits of collagen supplements are more than just skin deep!
Collagen is well - known for its role in maintaining an elastic and youthful appearance of the skin. But the benefits of collagen supplements are more than just skin deep!
Collagen is not only a component of skin, but is also found in the muscles, tendons, cartilage and bones. And because our collagen production naturally decreases as we age, our joint and bone health can take a hit
Ways that collagen can support our health as we age
1. Joint Health Collagen plays a crucial role in building joint cartilage an d may also have anti - inflammatory effects.
2. Bone Health Collagen is the largest component of our bone mass, forming a kind of living scaffolding that becomes mineralised. When we lose bone mass as we age, we lose not just minerals but also the collagen matrix.
Therefore, maintaining our bone collagen is one of the key ways that we can help our bones strong.
3. Skin Health Whilst collagen isn't all about the skin, it does deserve a mention. Collagen helps the skin to be elastic and retain moisture, with loss o f collagen leading to dryer skin and wrinkles as we age. However, the role of collagen in the skin is not just cosmetic.
It is also important for helping to repair skin damage and for wound healing.
So how can we help to maintain our body's collagen as we age? This is where dietary sources of collagen come in. Consuming collagen means that we're taking in more of the specific amino acids such as hydroxy - proline, proline and glycine that are needed to maintain and build collagen.
Because of this, it's thought that adding collagen to our diet is one way to support our body's collagen as we get older.
How can we get collagen in our diet?
Bone Broth
When made with bones which have cartilage and connective tissue attached, bone broth can be a rich source of collagen.
Fish skin
Whilst fish meat contains some collagen, the fish skin is where most of it lies.
Collagen Supplements
High quality collagen supplements can be a great and convenient way of increasing your intake. Collagen peptide powders and tasteless and odorless and can be added to any of your favorite foods and drinks.