Have you ever wondered why your skin loses its elasticity with age or why your joints become stiffer? The secret lies in collagen, the body's most important building block for maintaining a youthful and supple body. In this post, we'll explore what collagen is, how it works in the body, and how you can easily incorporate it into your daily routine to maximize its benefits.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein and building block that forms a central part of the body's tissues, such as skin, hair, nails, bones, cartilage and tendons. It acts as the body's "glue", providing strength and elasticity to these tissues. Collagen helps keep skin firm and supple, strengthens hair and prevents nails from becoming brittle, making it a key component in beauty and health supplements. The body produces collagen naturally, but this production decreases with age, which can lead to wrinkles, weaker joints and other signs of aging. As much as 70% of your skin and a third of your body consists of collagen!
What happens in the body when you eat collagen?
When you eat collagen, in any form, a fascinating process begins in your body. Collagen is broken down into smaller components, called amino acids (glycine, proline and hydroxyproline), already in the stomach and small intestine. These amino acids are like little building blocks that are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the parts of the body where they are most needed – your skin, your hair, your nails and your joints.
The body uses these amino acids to create new collagen, which helps strengthen the skin's structure, making it firmer and more elastic, and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Collagen also plays a crucial role in keeping joints flexible and supporting the growth and strength of nails and hair. Marine collagen, which is a key ingredient in our Beauty Guard Collagen +, is particularly effective because it has a higher bioavailability than many other collagen types – meaning your body can absorb and use it faster and more efficiently.
How do you know you have a collagen deficiency?
Your body is constantly producing collagen. As a child, the body produces collagen at a high rate, which contributes to suppleness and elastic skin. However, once you pass the 25-year mark, the natural production of collagen begins to decline. It is this reduction that leads to visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and stiffer joints, as the body gradually becomes less flexible and elastic.
Collagen is like the body's own building material, so when levels drop, you start to notice it in several different ways. Here are some clear signs that your body may need an extra dose of collagen:
- Wrinkles and loose skin : Collagen acts as the skin's support stocking – it holds everything in place and makes the skin feel firm and supple. When collagen decreases, the skin begins to lose its elasticity and small wrinkles may appear.
- Joint pain and stiffness : Collagen is an important part of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in your joints. Without enough collagen, cartilage can begin to break down, which can lead to pain and stiffness, especially when you move.
- Weaker hair and nails : Collagen helps keep your hair and nails strong and flexible. If you notice that your hair feels thinner or that your nails break more easily than usual, it could be a sign that your collagen levels have dropped.
How much collagen should you ingest?
When it comes to collagen, dosage is an important factor in achieving the desired results for skin, hair, nails and joints. In general, it is recommended that you get between 2,500 mg and 10,000 mg of collagen per day, depending on what you want to achieve and the type of collagen you use.
Our Beauty Guard Collagen + provides a daily dose of 5,000 mg of marine collagen per serving, which is within the optimal range for supporting skin elasticity, improving hair luster and strengthening nails. In addition, our collagen is hydrolyzed into small peptides with a molecular weight of only 1-2 kDa , which makes it particularly easy for the body to absorb and use effectively. The collagen in powder form is also very easy and practical to use because it can be mixed into almost anything and therefore easily incorporated into your daily routines.
A higher bioavailability means that your body can absorb and use the collagen faster, which means that you can start to notice a difference in your skin and joints after just a few weeks of use. Studies have shown that regular intake of marine collagen can help reduce wrinkles and improve skin firmness and moisture balance.
Other important ingredients in Beauty Guard Collagen +
In addition to the high-quality marine collagen , Beauty Guard Collagen + contains several other carefully selected ingredients that together support your skin, hair and nails:
- Vitamin C : Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in the body's own production of collagen. By supporting collagen synthesis, Vitamin C helps maintain firm and healthy skin, while protecting the skin against damage caused by free radicals and UV radiation.
- Hyaluronic acid : Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to bind large amounts of water, increasing the skin's moisture levels and providing a plump, hydrated look. This reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin softer and more elastic.
- Zinc : Zinc is an important mineral that helps maintain strong nails and healthy hair. It also helps heal the skin and prevent inflammation, making it a key player in your beauty routine.
- Biotin (Vitamin B7) : Biotin is known for its ability to strengthen hair and nails by improving keratin structure, which can reduce the risk of brittle nails and hair loss. It is also important for healthy and radiant skin.
This combination of ingredients makes Beauty Guard Collagen + a comprehensive beauty supplement that supports your body from the inside out, promoting youthful skin, strong nails and shiny hair.
How can I use collagen powder in my daily routine?
Integrating collagen powder into your daily routine is easy and versatile. Here are some popular ways to do it:
- In your morning drink : Mix a scoop of collagen powder into your morning coffee, tea or smoothie. This way you start the day with a boost for your skin, hair, nails and joints.
- In yogurt or porridge : Sprinkle collagen powder over your breakfast porridge, yogurt or chia pudding. This is a perfect way to get collagen into your breakfast and at the same time get a creamy and nutritious start to the day.
- As a simple supplement : If you prefer it simple, you can mix collagen powder with a glass of water or juice and drink it as a supplement on its own.
Using collagen powder regularly is an effective way to support your body from the inside out, and it's easy to fit into your daily routine depending on your preferences and lifestyle.
There are 16 different types of collagen - What's the difference?
Collagen is a protein that exists in several different forms in the body, but the most common types are type 1, 2 and 3. Each type has unique properties and fulfills different functions in the body:
- Type 1 Collagen : This is the most abundant type of collagen in the body and makes up about 90% of the body's collagen reserves. Type 1 collagen is essential for maintaining the skin's elasticity and strength, making it especially important for reducing wrinkles and promoting firmer, more youthful-looking skin. But it's not just the skin that benefits - type 1 collagen is also the key to strong and healthy hair and nails, making it a complete beauty protein. That's why type 1 collagen is the primary ingredient in your Beauty Guard Collagen + , which is designed to improve both the appearance and strength of the skin and support hair and nail health.
- Type 2 Collagen : Mainly found in cartilage, type 2 collagen is essential for joint health and mobility. This collagen acts as a cushion for the joints, making it an important supplement for those looking to prevent or alleviate joint pain and stiffness.
- Type 3 Collagen : Although type 3 collagen often co-occurs with type 1 in the skin and blood vessels, its role is more limited. Type 3 collagen contributes to elasticity, but it is not as powerful or effective as type 1 in maintaining skin firmness and structure. It does have a role in the body's internal structures, but for beauty and skin care it is type 1 collagen that really makes a difference.
Do you know about collagen?
Here are some important facts about collagen that you may not have known:
- There are at least 16 types of collagen : But the most common types are I, II and III, which make up the majority of the collagen in the body.
- Collagen production begins to decline already in the 20s : Production decreases by approximately 1-2% per year after the age of 20, making early intervention important for long-term skin and joint health.
- Collagen can support gut health : In addition to its benefits for skin and joints, collagen can also help strengthen the gut lining and support digestion.
Understanding and using collagen as part of your daily routine can make a noticeable difference to your skin, hair, nails and joints. With Beauty Guard Collagen +, you get a high-quality source of type 1 collagen that is easy for the body to absorb and use. Give your body the building blocks it needs to preserve its youth and vitality!
Sources
Collagen hydrolysates for skin protection: Oral administration and topical application - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070905/
Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration - https://www.mdpi.com/1660- 3397/20/1/61
Fish Collagen: Extraction, Characterization, and Applications for Biomaterials Engineering - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/10/2230 4. A Review of the Effects of Collagen Treatment in Clinical Studies - https:// www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/22/3868
Screening of the Chemical Composition and Identification of Hyaluronic Acid in Food Supplements by Fractionation and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscope - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/22/4002
A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/