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Photo by Lucaxx Freire on Unsplash Collagen is one of the most popular buzzwords in the health and nutrition world today. But what is Collagen and what are its benefits? We break down everything you need to know, from skin health to bone health and …
Photo by Autumn Goodman on Unsplash The skin is the largest organ in the body and it is responsible for many functions that contribute to our health and well-being. It protects the body against physical and chemical aggressions, serves as a sensorial receptor, regulates body …
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It is found in our bones, skin, nails, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Think of Collagen simply as the ‘glue’ that holds us together.
While our bodies naturally produce Collagen, by the time we hit age 25, the rate at which it is produced decreases at a rate of about 1.5% each year. That means that by age 45, you’ve lost about 30%. By age 60, you’ve lost almost half! There are many outside factors that can also deplete your levels, including smoking, too much sun, diabetes, poor nutrition, stress and poor hydration. Low amounts in the body will directly impact your skin, muscles and joints. You’ll start to show symptoms of wrinkles, sagging skin, muscle pain and soreness, and joint pain. Here’s what you need to know in order to get it back on track.
Collagen exists in the human body in over 25 forms, but more than 90% is formed by Type 1 and Type 3. This is the reason why many brands focus on these two types. Combined, these proteins are essential in the support of connective and structural tissues. Type 1 is derived from hides, bones, and the skin of animals, whereas Type 2 is only found in cartilage (typically chicken). Now here’s what sets a high-quality brand of Collagen from a generic brand – whether or not it is hydrolyzed.
According to Suhail Ishaq, president of BioCell Technology, “Of these types, collagen is either unhydrolyzed (also known as undenatured) or hydrolyzed. In its original, unhydrolyzed state, its molecules are very large and therefore not effectively absorbed by the intestines. Hydrolyzation breaks it down into small molecular weight fragments to enhance absorption without affecting its beneficial components.” Numerous studies show that supplementation with hydrolyzed type 1 Collagen may also help improve cellulite.
Bones are made out of calcium and collagen. Generally, we think of calcium as the most important component for bone health, but collagen is just as important – 90% of the organic mass of your bone is made out of it. What’s more, two thirds of the cartilage in joints is made out of collagen as well. If you are taking supplements to build strong, healthy bones, this important protein should be a part of your regimen.
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Collagen is also a very well known supplement to promote healthy skin from the inside, out. Women may face a steeper incline than men do in the uphill battle against skin aging. Women’s skin actually ages faster than men’s. Further, after menopause, when estrogen levels drop off, production of this protein drastically declines. In the 5 years following menopause, women go through an acute loss of collagen in their skin and can lose an additional 30% of their total collagen.4 After menopause, loss of collagen also leads to thinning skin with loss of elasticity. That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news; when you give the body what it needs, it can return to a younger-healthier state. True, lasting beauty comes from the inside out.
About 30% of the dry weight of our body is collagen with a higher proportion in our skin. It keeps our skin firm, smooth and elasticity. When we do not have enough, skin easily forms wrinkles and sags under its own weight. The plump, smooth skin we associate with youth has a lot to do with the significantly higher amounts of collagen we have when we are young.
“Collagen is an essential building material, but all superheroes need their sidekicks,” says Nicole Crane, BTS, NP, former Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health. The undervalued and widely under consumed mineral, Silicia, helps new collagen to form and is absorbed into the skin quicker and more efficiently. “Silica also plays an important role in how Collagen attaches to the other components of our skin and allows skin to be stronger and more resilient. Silica can be very hard to absorb, so a bioavailable form, like that sourced from the herb Horsetail is ideal.” These proteins are a dynamic duo for healthy, firm, and youthful looking skin.
Boswellia Serrata is an important Ayurvedic herb that is traditional used for arthritis, due to Boswellic acid (a widely studied acid for anti-inflammatory activity). Animal studies show that Boswellia is a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor that may give it the potent anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic benefit.
The skin is the largest organ in the body and it is responsible for many functions that contribute to our health and well-being. It protects the body against physical and chemical aggressions, serves as a sensorial receptor, regulates body temperature, and supplies our cells with …
By Mariesette Zeyl, ND Did you know that we absorb up to 60 percent of what we apply on our skin? Yes, it is true! Anything you are putting on your skin is being absorbed into your body and into your bloodstream. Our skin is …
Diabetes is a vicious and life-threatening disease. It is a condition where your blood sugar is continuously and seriously elevated (and your triglycerides are also). The excess circulating blood sugar is very destructive inflaming tissues in the heart and circulation, in the eyes, brain, kidneys, and nerve tissue leading to all manner of serious and life threatening diseases.
Diabetes occurs because for various reasons your cells become resistant to the effects of the hormone insulin; insulin normally stores sugar in your cells. However, long before full blown diabetes occurs, at a stage referred to as pre-diabetes, your blood sugar is already modestly increased and the beginnings of damage to your kidneys, your blood vessel walls, and to your eyes is already occurring (perhaps it should be renamed early stage diabetes); even a modest elevation in blood sugar should always be looked at seriously.
Diabetes type 2 is the more common version that occurs when the body’s cells become resistant to the effects of insulin. This results in elevated levels of sugar and triglycerides in the blood. The most common cause of type 2 diabetes is truncal obesity or having an apple shaped body instead of a pear shaped one. New evidence indicates that an increase in the circulating levels of CRP (C-reactive protein), an enzyme tied into inflammation and heart disease, is a major indicator of impending diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes refers to an autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas; it is much less common. People with type 1 diabetes always require insulin.
To determine your risk of developing diabetes your doctor will perform a test on your blood after you fast for 12 hours. If your blood sugar after fasting is lower than 99, you are likely okay. However, if the blood sugar is between 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have impaired fasting blood glucose and your risk of developing diabetes is increased. You are also at risk for developing cardiovascular disease. For many individuals diet, exercise, and particular nutrients are very beneficial at this point and can help restore blood sugar levels down towards normal. Some drugs are also prescribed for this effect. If your fasting blood sugar is above 125mg/dL, you are considered to have full blown diabetes and, because diabetes is a vicious disease, it must be treated aggressively.
A1C is a blood test that measures average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months and is the best way to measure overall glucose control. It should be measured 2 to 4 times a year and the goal is less than 7 percent.
Symptoms may include feeling tired or ill, excessive thirst, frequent urination, sudden weight loss, blurred vision, slow healing of infections, and genital itching.
For more information on how to manage diabetes or the disease in general, visit the American Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.org/.