WHAT IS COLLAGEN?
Collagen with Peptides
Collagen is the main structural protein of connective tissues in our body, like our bones, skin, cartilage, and tendons. Collagen peptides are the broken down elements of the longer protein chain and are more bioavailable and absorbable by our human body in this form. It is believed that when humans ingest collagen from outside sources, it supports and optimizes our health and address many physiological needs posed by aging and exercise.
Collagen is like any other type of protein that can be taken every day and if it is taken and processed from a reliable source, it is very safe. Otherwise, it might be toxic to our body due to the presence of contaminants and pollutants. If you buy any collagen powder, collagen peptides or any collagen drinks, check if you can trust the source and where it comes from. If you have any doubt, steer clear of that particular brand.
There are many different types of collagen each composed of different “peptides” or amino acids. Different types of collagen protein chains make up the skin and tendons as opposed to the collagen protein chains that form cartilage. Finding the right type of collagen for your health needs can prove to be quite tricky also, supplements containing collagen can vary substantially.
Gelatine or gelatin (also known as gelatine hydrolysate, hydrolyzed gelatine, collagen hydrolysate, hydrolyzed collagen, and collagen peptides) is a flavorless, translucent and a colorless food ingredient that is derived from collagen often taken from pigs or cows. This is achieved by boiling skin, ligaments, tendons, and/or bones in filtered water.
Is Collagen a Protein
Collagen is a protein made up of amino acids that are found throughout the human body and as we age our bodies start producing collagen at a slower rate
Collagen is a fibrous protein produced by your body. It’s actually the most abundant protein in our body and is the building blocks for our skin, muscles, bones, joints, cartilage, digestive system, organs, hair, tendons, nails, veins, arteries, teeth, and much more. It’s like a matrix that forms the structure and holds everything together like glue, with just the right amount of elasticity. Hence its name derives from “kolla,” which is Greek for glue.
As the platelet plug is forming, the direct contact of blood with the exposed collagen of the vessel walls results in a chain reaction that leads to the formation of thrombin from prothrombin. This thrombin is an enzyme that is used to assemble the conversion of soluble protein. Fibrinogen into the insoluble protein, Fibrin.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Collagen is very vital for our overall health, which is why collagen supplements have become so popular. However, for our body’s to be able to utilize these supplements it is necessary to first break down the collagen peptides. These are basic short chains of amino acids that are easily absorbed by the body. Once your body absorbs the collagen peptides it can use the amino acids to promote better skin, joint, muscle, and gut health.
In nature, collagen originates completely from animals, exclusively from the flesh and connective tissues. Collagen is the ingredient in the connective tissue that helps regulate skin firmness, elasticity and continues the renewal of skin cells. Collagen is very vital for skin elasticity. Ligaments are another form of connective tissue that attach to our bones and consequently hold our joints together. Tendons are very similar but have a different type of tissue that connect the muscles to our bones. All of these tissues, bones, ligaments, tendons and our skeletal muscles themselves are made up of proteins and collagen is the most predominant protein in our body. To really test collagen peptides supplement’s health benefits take every day for two weeks.
Marine collagen powder has risen in popularity as more and more people learn about its numerous health benefits. Vital proteins marine collagen peptides not only does wonders for youthful-looking skin, healthy hair and strong nails, but it is also tremendously beneficial for healthy joints and bones. The best collagen supplements available are the ones full of active amino acids and are highly bioavailable.
What is Collagen
Three main types of collagen supplements.
Gelatin
Hydrolyzed
Undenatured
Gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen have been broken down from large to smaller proteins. When collagen is boiled for a length of time i/e. bone broth, It breaks down into gelatin. Collagen can then be further “predigested” into basic amino acids and is then called collagen hydrolysate, hydrolyzed gelatin, collagen peptides, or hydrolyzed collagen.
Collagen in Food
You must build collagen from the inside out. The “You are what You eat” approach is always the best bet for your health and beauty. To look younger, your body needs to produce new collagen cells in your skin. You need to consume foods that help your body protect the collagen it has while providing the building blocks it needs to build new collagen fibers.
Adding collagen to your diet regularly by consuming foods like bone broth and organ meats is essential. If these foods are not part of your daily diet, you probably do not have enough naturally produced collagen in your body. Collagen protein supplements are a very convenient way to get the benefits of this powerful and essential protein.
Collagen protein is classed by a numerical type. This number is depended on its prominence in the tissues of our body. Some researchers divide them into 16 types. Other researchers list as many as 28. The latter normally includes the proteins in foods which are used to manufacture the supplemental products. Categories most commonly researched and written about are type 1, type 2, and type 3.
When your body producers collagen it combines the amino acids and the nutrients you get from eating protein-rich foods like beef, chicken, fish, beans, eggs and dairy products. This process also requires vitamin c, zinc, and copper. You get natural Vitamin C by eating citrus fruits, red and green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, and greens. The minerals you get by eating meats, shellfish, nuts, whole grains, and beans.
Collagen in Bone Broth
Cultures all over the work have been praising the benefits of bone broth for many years. One would think that bone broth is good for us because of the calcium in the bones. It’s actually the collagen that is the most beneficial for strengthening our bones. Bone broth is rich in amino acids proline and glycine. Our bodies use these amino acids to make collagen.
But while we can’t all keep a fresh jug of bone broth around to drink from, there are some very reliable collagen peptide supplements and they are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Most wellness enthusiasts claim that collagen is the best source of protein that helps increase skin elasticity and also strengthens hair and nails.
There are also claims that collagen peptide supplements will help you lose weight, sleep better, fix your joints, improve digestion, heal leaky gut syndrome. Some would even go as far as saying collagen is a kind of miracle powder that cures everything except cancer.
Getting more collagen in your system is not quite as simple as just buying the latest anti-aging cream. The collagen molecules applied from topical anti-aging cream are too large and do not reach the deep layers of our skin where collagen production takes place. Consuming gelatinous cuts of meat and drinking bone broth will definitely provide you with a greater dose of bioavailable collagen. If you want a more convenient solution, then try hydrolyzed collagen.
Unfortunately, there aren’t too many foods with a high collagen count. These foods include meat, offal, bone broth, and gelatine. The most collagen in animal products is found in their tendons, skin, bones, and ligaments so slow cook these parts to make a bone broth.
