The benefits of collagen seem to be almost endless.
From smoothing skin and reducing the appearance of creases, to promoting healthy skin and hair to even supporting joint health, collagen is receiving accolades from all who have tried it for 4-6 weeks.
But, its biggest claim to fame by far is its skin health benefits.
Here are just a few perks people report:
Benefits of Using Collagen Powder Daily
But can everyone expect these results?
Turns out it depends greatly on two factors: Taking it every day without fail, and making sure you’re taking the right kind of collagen powder — as you can imagine this is where things can get a little trickier.
It’s important to address that not every kind of collagen is created equal; some forms of the protein benefit skin, while others benefit joints and ligament health.
Here is a quick breakdown of 5 types of collagen to illustrate why Type I and Type III, are the forms of collagen powder you want to reach for if you want plumper, more radiant skin:
- Type I Collagen: Type I collagen is the most prevalent collagen in the body. It is largely responsible for skin’s structural integrity and smoothness, but it also plays an important role in supporting healthy nails, hair tendons and bones.
- Type II Collagen: Type II collagen is abundant in cartilage and tendons, and is great for the health and repair of cartilage.
- Type III Collagen: Often found working in synergy with Collagen I, Collagen Type III supports the skin, ligaments, and internal organs.
- Type IV Collagen: This type of collagen is primarily found in the basal lamina, an extracellular matrix layer secreted by epithelial cells.
- Type V Collagen: Type V collagen supports cell surfaces and is a minor component in tissues containing collagen Type I.
There are also various forms – namely two that behave very differently.
Why We Recommend Collagen Powder Over Collagen Protein Gelatin
Collagen Protein: Collagen Protein is also sometimes referred to as gelatin. It has a pretty high molecular weight and needs a warm to hot solution to blend. It can also create a gel-like consistency, so it can be used to make things like collagen gummies.
Collagen powder: This form of collagen is also known as collagen hydrolysate or collagen peptides.
Collagen powder contains the same amino acid profile as gelatin, but they are broken down into smaller molecules and therefore have a smaller molecular weight and are more easily absorbed when eaten.
Additionally, collagen powder can be used in cold or warm solutions, blending effortlessly and imparting no flavor whatsoever on your food.
In this article, we will only be discussing collagen powder, as it is the most easily absorbed form and the one we recommend for skin health benefits.
Unlike topical creams that contain collagen, which only penetrate the skin’s outermost layer or epidermis, bioactive collagen peptides work from the inside out. They are significantly more effective at penetrating the deeper dermis layer of the skin to stimulate collagen production for noticeably firmer, smoother, more hydrated skin along with reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
So how can you incorporate collagen into everyday recipes to make sure you never miss a day?
Here are 9 Easy Ways to Use Collagen in Everyday Recipes
I should note that it helps to keep your collagen tubs in various places. For example, I typically put it in my morning coffee — it’s flavorless! But on the rare occasion I don’t drink coffee at home, I also keep a tub at my office. This way I can simply stir it in my morning yogurt, glass of water or my soup for lunch.
Keeping a collagen tub handy helps to make sure I never miss a day.
What to Look For in a High-Quality Collagen Supplement
In addition to finding creative ways to use collagen powder, another thing many people might find difficult is not knowing what to look for in a supplement. With so many supplements on the market (and so many Big-Box Brands ready to cash in on a trend for little cost to them), it’s important to know what to look for.
Here are four things to check off the list when shopping for a quality collagen powder:
Have you tried a collagen powder before? Do you have a favorite way to use it? Let us know about your experience in the comments!
The post Collagen 101: What It Really Does, What to Look For in a Supplement and How to Use It In Everyday Recipes appeared first on Live in the Now.
