Understanding what collagen is and how collagen benefits your skin and overall health

You may have seen it all over Instagram. You’ve glimpsed it in the vitamin aisle of your favourite health food store. You’ve noticed it on the ingredient list of some of your beauty products. Collagen protein has been the talk of the town and for good reason! But what is collagen, exactly, what are the benefits of collagen and should you be taking it?

What is collagen and what are the benefits of collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in our body, with type 1 collagen accounting for 90% of the body’s natural supply. It’s an essential building block for healthy hair, skin, nails, cartilage, connective tissue, bones, tendons etc. and carries a wide variety of benefits, including replacing dead skin cells, promoting healthy joints & bones, and gut lining repair (Leaky gut anyone?) In short, there are countless benefits of collagen and here at TMB we’re big fans of it!

5 awesome facts about collagen and why its good for you

Still not convinced if collagen protein is for you? Here are five fun facts about collagen and its many beneficial properties!  Although our body naturally produces collagen, we add it to our diet for the following reasons:

REASON #1 WHY WE LOVE THE BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN

Collagen production begins to slow down and decrease as we age, which can cause signs of aging such as wrinkles, joint pain and weakened cartilage.

REASON #2 WHY WE LOVE COLLAGEN PROPERTIES

Although collagen can be found in many skin care products, such as creams and serums, it is more beneficial to take it orally rather than topically, as most molecules in collagen are too large to absorb into the skin.

REASON #3 WHY WE LOVE THE BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN

Collagen levels can start to deplete due to certain lifestyle factors, such as a poor diet, smoking, and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.

REASON #4 WHY WE LOVE COLLAGEN

Collagen is not a complete source of protein. It is however rich in glycine, alanine, proline, hydroxyproline, arginine, and glutamine. These specific amino acids are the ones that play an important role in healing the gut lining and reparation of hair, skin, nails, joints and cartilage.

REASON #5 WHY WE LOVE COLLAGEN

Not all collagen is created equal. Make sure you are getting a 100 percent grass-fed collagen. Mammals store toxins in their bones, so you want to ensure you are consuming a clean source. This is why we carry Bulletproof Collagen at TMB.

Can I enjoy the benefits of collagen if I’m vegan or vegetarian?

Collagen is sourced from animals, so if you do follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, it might not be the best fit for you. As an alternative, you can incorporate colourful, plant-based collagen-boosting foods into your daily diet, such as dark leafy greens, beets, sweet potatoes and garlic.

Collagen makes a world of difference in our overall wellness and skincare. Visit TMB to talk in more detail about collagen and your health! We provide tailored health improvement services that fit you better than designer couture!

About The Movement Boutique in Toronto – Pilates, Chiropractic, Functional Medicine

Located on Yonge Street in Toronto, The Movement Boutique serves the areas of Summerhill, Rosedale and Yorkdale with Pilates classes and much more. Our philosophy is centred on a holistic, multimodal approach to health, grounded in the latest therapeutic techniques and clinical research. Our approach: Optimal health cannot be attained through a single therapeutic lens; injuries are often the result of a constellation of lifestyle issues, including dysfunctional movement patterns, trauma, nutritional deficiencies or destructive habits of mind.

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