Health Benefits of Collagen

If you are familiar with natural supplements, you may have heard of one that is currently growing in popularity... Collagen!

What is Collagen?

Most have already heard of collagen, and know that it's found in our bodies already. So what exactly is it?

- Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, and is one of the most vital for our bodies to function. - It forms and holds many of our organs and tissues. It is a structural protein that maintains the integrity of your skin, muscles, bones, and cartilage. Acting as a "Glue" that holds your body together. - Collagen sends out signals to your cells. These signals can fight inflammation and repair damaged cells. - As we get older, our collagen production declines. Which is why a lot of people turn to supplementation.

What are the Benefits of Collagen / Why Should We Take it?

Using collagen may sound familiar when it comes to skin or beauty treatments. But in order to utilize the full body benefits of collagen, it needs to be ingested. We can easily do this through Natural Collagen Supplements. Most come in powder form that are easy to stir up in beverages and smoothies.

What Benefits Can we Experience by Supplementing with Collagen?

-Brain Function: Certain forms of collagen boost brain function, and have also been shown to protect the brain from amyloid-beta proteins - believed to be one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease. -Supports Healthy Gut Function: Unfortunately many people today suffer from painful digestive system disorders such as IBS or Leaky Gut Syndrome. Stress, poor diet, prescription medications, too much alcohol, and a sedentary lifestyle may contribute to these gastrointestinal disorders. Collagen is one of the best supplements to help elevate symptoms associated with these disorders. Even if you don't suffer from digestive system discomfort, Collagen is still a great way to maintain gut health. -Eases Joint and Knee Pain, Degeneration: Collagen covers and holds our bones together. It acts similar to how grease would to a door hinge... its smooth gel-like consistency helps the joint to move much easier. When we start to lose the collagen in our bodies, we are much more prone to joint pain or disorders, and deterioration. This is because our tendons and ligaments move with less ease, which can lead to stiffness and swelling in the joints. -Supports Liver Health: A great addition to a liver protection regime would be to add collagen to your diet. That's because the amino acid Glycine in it helps to minimize damage your liver experiences when toxic substances pass through it - alcohol, medications, sugar/fructose, chemicals, etc. -Protects Heart Health: Of the highest percent of amino acids found in collagen, proline and arginine are two of them. Proline is needed for tissue repair within joints, but it also helps your artery walls release fat buildup and accumulation. This is linked to the prevention of Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) as well as high blood pressure. Arginine helps with nitric oxide production, which allows for better vasodilation (widening of the arteries to increase blood flow). In turn allowing for better circulation and a decrease in blood pressure. -Supports Healthy Skin: As stated earlier, it's natural for our collagen production to decline with age, and we will notice it physically in our skin as well. Increasing or supplementing with collagen can help your skin look firmer, smoother, have more elasticity, and keep your skin cells renewing and repairing normally.

-Strengthens Hair, Nails and Teeth: Adding collagen into your diet can have a positive effect on your hair, nails and teeth. Because it is the building blocks of these tissues/structures, it can help keep them strong. Studies have even suggested a relationship between hair follicle regeneration, hair loss reversal, and treatment for skin diseases through therapeutic use of collagen.

Where and What Kind of Collagen Should You Get?

We now carry a high quality collagen powder, here at The Natural Flow to Health!

The Collagen we carry and recommend is a Peptan Hydrolyzed Collagen. What this means is it is highly digestible and bioavailable because it has undergone a process called hydrolysis to break it down into shorter chains of proteins. It is instantly water soluble in warm or cold water as well has Ph and heat resistant. It contains 18 amino acids, which makes it a great supplement to restore the protein content of muscles after exercise as well. It is specifically high in the amino acids glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, glutamine and arginine. It is an unflavored/unsweetened powder that can be added to any beverage, which makes it easy to take. It also contains Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid as well, which is recommended to take with collagen, as it enhances activation and ensures absorption and usefulness.