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Create Your Own Fountain of Youth..
A thread
http://prizm4enterprises.com/2020/10/18/create-your-own-fountain-of-youth/
A thread
http://prizm4enterprises.com/2020/10/18/create-your-own-fountain-of-youth/
Third in a series exploring 'current' health and nutrition trends. Today's blog: Collagen.
Collagen. In its myriad forms this 'protein' has found its way into the supplement mainstream. There is collagen, collagen peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, protein powders ..oh my! It has been touted, though not in so many words as the new fountain of youth.
Has it and/or will it live up to the hype or will it be regarded like other supplements as 'expensive urine'? Will it be any more effective that the thousands of other beauty products on the market that claim to prevent, halt and reverse the aging process?
So, what is collagen; what are the benefits, the side effects, the correct dosages; what are the side effects? Is it for everyone? Collagen is found in the dermis and is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up 75% of this organ.
This is in natural form is also your fountain of youth. Collagen wards off wrinkles and fine lines. Over time, environmental factors and aging make it harder for your body to make collagen and can also break down the collagen you already have (WebMD).
Collagen and collagen peptides are proteins. Collagen peptides are produced by breaking down the much larger collagen molecules. That’s why both collagen and collagen peptides are made by the same amino acids but have different properties.
Collagen peptides are soluble in cold water. They are highly bioactive and bioavailable, which makes them appropriate ingredients for dietary supplements, functional beverages, and foods.
Collagen peptides have numerous health benefits. They are the building blocks, renewing the bones, skin, joints, and other body tissues and organs.
Collagen peptides are short chains of amino acids that are created through the process of hydrolysis ergo, hydrolyzed collagen When you ingest hydrolyzed collagen supplements, are ingesting collagen peptides, primarily glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and l-arginine.
The health benefits of the collagen peptides include:
- Skin beauty;
- Healthy aging;
- Bone and joint health;
- Gut health;
- Sports nutrition.
- Skin beauty;
- Healthy aging;
- Bone and joint health;
- Gut health;
- Sports nutrition.
Collagen is a protein that provides structure to much of your body, including your bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments. collagen is a type of protein found in your body. It’s important for skin and bone health, among other functions.
Collagen supplements come from animal sources, each of which bestows different benefits, and there are different types of collagen, Type I, II and III & IV.
There are at least 16 types of collagen. The four main types are type I, II, III, and IV according to the NIH. Here’s a closer look at the four main types of collagen and their roles in your body:
- Type I. This type accounts for 90% of your body’s collagen and is made of densely packed fibers. It provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth.
- Type II. This type is made of more loosely packed fibers and found in elastic cartilage, which cushions your joints.
- Type III. This type supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arteries.
- Type III. This type supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arteries.
- Type IV. This type helps with filtration and is found in the layers of your skin.
As you age, your body produces less and lower quality collagen.
As you age, your body produces less and lower quality collagen.
We can add collagen to the growing list of products that is a hit or miss when it come to quality. Although The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers collagen a dietary supplement, the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA.
Therefore, it’s up to the manufacturer to make sure their products are safe.
The rules for marketing dietary supplements are fairly strict. Companies can make some general health claims about their products, but they must also print the disclaimer ( https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx): “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” The FDA keeps tabs on supplements and how they’re marketed, taking legal action against those who make false claims or whose products are unsafe.
Before adding any type of supplement to your diet, it’s important to talk to a qualified health pratictioner. In the meantime, here’s what the current research has to say about the benefits of taking collagen.
Many people take collagen for joint pain, especially pain associated with arthritis.
A 2006 review of clinical research on collagen and joint pain stated: “A growing body of evidence provides a rationale for the use of collagen hydrolysate for patients with OA [osteoarthritis].” Another study on taking oral collagen was done on athletes at Penn State University.
While taking a collagen supplement for 24 weeks, the athletes reported less joint pain. While these results are promising, more research is needed to provide conclusive evidence of the benefits of collagen for joint pain (Organic Authority).
U.S. consumers are expected to spend $293 million on collagen products. But as it's gotten more popular, there have been questions about how well it works and concerns about its safety. Collagen is a protein that makes up connective tissues, such as the skin.
When you have too much collagen, your skin can stretch, thicken, and harden. It also can cause damage to internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
There aren’t many studies on collagen supplements, but those that exist show promise for benefits in the following areas:
- Muscle mass. A 2019 study in recreationally active men showed that a combination of collagen peptide supplements and strength training increased muscle mass and strength more than a placebo.
- Arthritis. A 2017 animal study looked at the effects of giving collagen supplements to mice with post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). The results indicated that supplementation may play a protective role in the disease’s development and progression.
- Skin elasticity. Women who took a supplement showed improvements in skin appearance and elasticity in a 2019 study. Collagen is also used in topical treatments to improve the appearance of skin by minimizing lines and wrinkles (NIH, Kerri Ann Jennings, MS 2020).
While the use of collagen powder and supplement shows some promise, the medically community is not ready to embrace it wholeheartedly. According to cardiologist Dr Steven Gundry, the products are useless without the help of Vitamin C.
It does nothing that the body cannot do on its own if it is fed the correct nutrients. Further he states, plant based collagen is a misnomer because collagen does not occur in plants. It is the amino acids which we can get from plants that assist in the production of collagen.
All naturally occurring collagen starts off as pro-collagen. Your body makes pro-collagen by combining two amino acids — glycine and proline. This process uses vitamin C.
You may be able to help your body produce this important protein by making sure you get plenty of the following nutrients:
- Vitamin C. Large amounts are found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries (2 ( http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-009101000000000000000-w.html)).
- Proline. Large amounts are found in egg whites, wheat germ, dairy products, cabbage, asparagus, and mushrooms.
- Proline. Large amounts are found in egg whites, wheat germ, dairy products, cabbage, asparagus, and mushrooms.
- Glycine. Large amounts are found in pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatin, but glycine is also found in various protein-containing foods.
- Copper. Large amounts are found in organ meats, sesame seeds, cocoa powder, cashews, and lentils.
- Copper. Large amounts are found in organ meats, sesame seeds, cocoa powder, cashews, and lentils.
In addition, your body needs high quality protein that contains the amino acids needed to make new proteins. Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, legumes, and tofu are all excellent sources of amino acids. It is also helpful to reduce:
- Eating too much sugar and refined carbs. Sugar interferes with collagen’s ability to repair itself. Minimize your consumption of added sugars and refined carbs
- Getting too much sunshine. Ultraviolet radiation can reduce collagen production. Avoid excessive sun exposure.
- Getting too much sunshine. Ultraviolet radiation can reduce collagen production. Avoid excessive sun exposure.
- Smoking. Smoking reduces collagen production. This can impair wound healing and lead to wrinkles. Some autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, can also damage collagen. (KerriAnn Jennings, MS.)
Utilizing natural sources of collagen is also recommended. Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animal foods. For example, it’s found in large amounts in chicken and pork skin.
One particularly rich source is bone broth, which is made by boiling the bones of chicken and other animals. Gelatin is basically cooked collagen, so it’s very high in the amino acids needed to produce it.
The conundrum with collagen is in my opinion, no different from the confusion of choice presented to the organic, vegan and vegetarian marketplace. Generally, we are unsure of what we are purchasing and ingesting.
This is not to say that nothing we buy has value..but how much of it do we need to consume to see actual results?
I try to speak from a position of intelligence whenever I write about a particular subject. This is no different.
I have tried various brands of protein and collagen powders and I cannot say that Ive noticed any significant change in my appearance from most of the ones Ive tried.
My only recommendation would be http://SeroVital.com .... I have to say it was effective but expensive; usually about $100 for a 30-day supply. I have seen it at http://www.costco.com and at http://gnc.com and also at the SeroVital website for the same price.
The only negative..you have to keep taking it.
Would I try SeroVital again or introduce any other collagen product? Probably not. Why? I've become more educated about the power of food.. good food.
Not the processed, sugary, salty variety; but lots of vegetables, fruit and a carefully selected cocktail of vitamins/minerals that supplement what I eat. Truly, when it comes to health, it really is about what we put into our mouths. So, go create your fountain of youth..
I hope I have given you a framework of strategies, tools and information to get you started on your path to infinite beauty.
This thread can be read here: http://prizm4enterprises.com/2020/10/18/create-your-own-fountain-of-youth/
