The Importance of Collagen

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLAGEN

No matter someone’s age or current health, collagen protein —including the types made by the body naturally, and collagen peptides taken in supplement form— is something that benefits just about everyone. Often described as being like the “glue” that holds the body, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, forming up to 70% of skin, hair, nails and a high percentage of many other types of connective tissues.

While it’s been known for decades how Important collagen is for supporting overall functioning and health, only recently the wellness market has seen a boom in new collagen supplements. It’s possible to get collagen from food sources such as real bone broth; however, many are looking for a more convenient way to up their collagen intake.

Whether it’s people searching for support for physical performance or for the appearance of their skin, collagen protein powders and other supplements appeal to a very wide audience. Let’s take a look at the many reasons why we all need collagen and how we can go about getting it.

Nearly one-third of all the protein in the human body is collagen protein. It’s found everywhere, serving a multitude of purposes such as aiding in joint comfort and mobility, forming the lining of the gastrointestinal tract/gut, and helping skin to remain healthy and elastic.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLAGEN

How can you benefit from getting more collagen into your diet (while also reducing the amount of “collagen diminishers” that are a part of your lifestyle)? Benefits of collagen can include:

• Supporting healthy joint function, comfort and mobility (it also offers support for healthy ligaments and tendons, too)
• Promoting healthy hair and nail growth
• Supporting skin hydration and elasticity
• Supporting a healthy gut and gut lining integrity

Although it’s an essential protein that the body makes throughout someone’s entire lifespan, unfortunately, as a natural effect of normal aging, adults typically start producing less collagen once they reach their 30s or 40s. Collagen can break down at an accelerated rate due to certain dietary and lifestyle factors, sometime referred to as “collagen diminishers.” In order to help preserve the collagen that your body is already making, and to benefit most from the collagen supplements you may be taking, you’ll want to avoid the following

• A diet low in antioxidants
• Sitting all day and lack of activity
• Not supporting your gut health
• Nutrient shortfalls of vitamin C and zinc, which can help support collagen production
• Getting poor sleep quality
• Consuming too much processed foods and sugar
• Overuse of joints
• High cortisol levels from stress
• Sun overexposure

HOW TO GET COLLAGEN INTO YOUR DIET

As mentioned above, collagen gives you support for your skin, nails, hair, joints and gut. Therefore, adding more to your diet and routine can pay off in terms of supporting how you feel, move and look. Here are some options for increasing your collagen intake, both from food sources and supplements:

1. Supplement With Multi Collagen Protein
   Ancient Nutrition offers its best-selling, award-winning Multi Collagen Protein (MCP) powder. Multi Collagen Protein is consistently the #1 product sold on our store, and for good reason.

• MCP is made from 4 real food sources (beef, chicken, fish and eggshell membrane) and features collagen types I, II, III, V and X.
• Sourced from non-GMO, pasture-raised and grass fed, and scrupulously selected ingredients.
• Contains no fillers, weird chemicals or artificial ingredients, sweeteners or flavors.
• Provides hydrolyzed collagen peptides to support absorption.
• Choose from a variety of different formulas and flavors tailored towards joint health, skin, sleep, gut function and more

Something important to look for when shopping for collagen supplements is the type of peptides/protein found in the product. In order to help your body absorb and use collagen in supplement form, it’s best to use a hydrolyzed collagen peptide protein powder.

This form of collagen is thought to be easier for the body to absorb since the amino acids and nutrients available in collagen have undergone a process called hydrolysis which breaks them down into shorter chains of bioavailable proteins. These nutrients can then make their way into your bloodstream more readily, helping you to experience the best overall results.

How can you use MCP powder? It’s as simple as adding a scoop to water, coffee, a smoothie or another beverage, or even using some in recipes such as oatmeal, pancakes, healthy muffins, etc. One scoop provides you with about 10 grams of collagen.

• 2. Take Multi Collagen Protein Capsules

Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein Capsules are another convenient way to benefit from collagen. These tasteless, odorless capsules can be taken any time of day, including when you’re busy and on-the-go.

Multi Collagen Capsules at a serving size of three caps per day provide 1-2 grams of collagen protein (depending on the formula) and packs just as strong a “punch” as a full serving of collagen powder. That’s great news if you’re on the go, traveling, just can’t consume your collagen powder at certain times or just want to expand your collagen horizons without sacrificing results.

Highlights include the following:

• Improves appearance of crow’s feet in 28 days†
• Reduces knee stiffness in a week†
• Promotes healthy hair thickness and growth while reducing hair breakage†
• Boosts energy and fights fatigue†

Like the MCP powder, the capsules are sourced from non-GMO, grass-fed and pasture-raised, scrupulously selected ingredients.

• 3. Consume Bone Broth and/or Bone Broth Protein Powder

Bone broth is a type of stock that our ancestors frequently made using almost every part of an animal. To make bone broth, bones and marrow, skin and feet, tendons and ligaments are boiled and then simmered over a period of days in order to release valuable nutrients including collagen, proline, glycine, glutamine and trace minerals. Drinking bone broth daily, therefore, is a great way to increase collagen intake.

If making homemade bone broth isn’t a realistic option for you, Bone Broth Protein powder or Bone Broth Collagen powder are two highly convenient
alternatives.

The main difference between Multi Collagen Protein and Bone Broth Collagen is the number and type of collagen sources. The collagen in Bone Broth Collagen is from bone broth alone, while Multi Collagen Protein has collagen from bone broth AND hydrolyzed sources.

Bone Broth Protein powder is a great source of protein, collagen types I and II, and compounds including hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and chondroitin which support overall health of joints and other connective tissues.

• 4. Utilize Keto Collagen

If you’re on a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet and looking for a collagen supplement created specifically for your macronutrient needs, then Keto Collagen fits the bill. The powerful combination of beef collagen combined with MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) provides the body with performance fats and protein to support joint and gut health, and healthy weight management and appetite control, too.