We are constantly bombarded with wrinkle creams, lotions, acne cleansers and every other product on the market that’s supposedly going to give you beautiful skin. Here’s the thing: beautiful skin starts internally. Whatever is going on in your digestive tract, the vitamins and minerals you consume, the healthy fats (or lack thereof) all directly affect the appearance of your skin more than a $60 cream ever could.
The foundation of healthy skin is a healthy diet, but did you know that the supplements you take internally can affect your skin more than what you actually apply to it? Let me introduce you to the mother of all healthy skin supplements: collagen.
No, I’m not talking about expensive collagen creams; which are ridiculous anyway because collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed by the skin. So when you buy topical collagen, you’re just wasting your money. I’m talking about taking collagen internally, which fills lines and wrinkles, strengthens the gut, reduce inflammation, boosts the immune system, reduces cellulite and prevent stretch marks. Yah, it’s that awesome.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein made from the bones and hide of cows; the brand I recommend, Perfect Supplements, is made from grass-fed cows. You guys, people inject this stuff into their skin for thousands of dollars. But you could save a ton of money and your skin by simply taking it internally – and this way, it has a myriad of other benefits as well!
The reason for aging skin, wrinkles, loss of elasticity is a decline in collagen production as we age. Makes sense to take an easily absorbed, high quality collagen supplement, right? Around the age of 25, we rapidly lose the amount of collagen our bodies naturally produce. By age 50, we’re barely producing any. This is exactly why we need to supplement with a high quality collagen product.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It supports the bones, connective tissues, ligaments, cartilage, skin hair and nails. It’s also rich in glycine, lysine and proline. It’s necessary for the proper function of cells and the structure as well.
Collagen is responsible for cell renewal, skin elasticity and suppleness as well as firmness. It is the building block for cells, tissues and organs. Meaning it makes up your skin, hair and nails. With age, collagen diminishes, making wrinkles more apparent, hair lack luster and skin less firm. Proper collagen intake can even prevent or improve cellulite.
Men produce more collagen than women, and don’t lose it at the rate we do. Some figures suggest that women lose collagen at a rate of 1% per year starting in their 20s. This can also affect bone density, glucose levels and the nervous system.
How To Take It
This brand of gelatin is cold water soluble. I drink it in my tea every morning and don’t even know it’s in there. Start with 1/2 a tbsp, and work your way up to 2 a day. Truthfully, I started with 2 tbsp a day and never had any problem, but some people experience a period of adjustment. I ONLY recommend this brand of collagen. I can’t tell you how many people have come to me saying “It turned my water to jello!” Well, that’s because you used the wrong brand. I only recommend Perfect Supplements; it’s incredibly high quality and flavorless!
http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/why-broth-is-beautiful
http://aminoacidstudies.org/glycine/
http://www.news-medical.net/health/Collagen-What-is-Collagen.aspx
