What is the secret to aging gracefully? Perhaps it is not in grudgingly “accepting” those wrinkles that now crowd your skin. Perhaps it is not about getting an artificial face lift either. Maybe the solution comes from within…but no, we are not just talking about happiness.

What does Collagen Got to Do With It?

If you equate aging with thinning skin, wrinkles and weak teeth, much of this has to do with the collagen production in your body. Collagen is the “glue” that holds your body together, in all its shiny glory. It is the complex protein that keeps your skin strong, maintains its elasticity and replaces dead skin cells. Bone broth, egg shells and egg whites are rich in collagen. A high sugar diet, smoking and exposure to sun, on the other hand, depletes collagen levels.

Sounds fairly smooth so far? What then, brings on those wrinkles as you grow older? You do not drastically change our diet, do you? Turns out, your body’s collagen production slows down as you age. You would need more collagen to be produced in your system, to keep your hair healthy, your skin glowing and your connective tissues strong.

The Beauty and Safety of Sipping Collagen

Companies that manufacture collagen supplements recognize this. Collagen can be found in topical creams and as an injection. Companies such as Fountain and Skinade, on the other hand, manufacture beverages and/ mixes that add to the pool of amino acids that synthesize collagen. Collagen beverages usually contain collagen and other health-enhancing ingredients, like Vitamin C. Alternatively, collagen powder can be mixed with smoothies, cereal, baking mixes or other meals.

Are collagen supplements good for you? According to the sceptics, collagen supplements, while not unsafe, can be ineffective. They get broken down the way any other protein gets broken down, and get used up for energy. Certain kinds of collagen supplements have, on the other hand, demonstrated both safety and a noticeable effect on skin health.

Collagen ointments or cream are safe when applied on healthy skin, without any bumps or bruises. They are, however, not as effective as collagen powders or beverages. Science tells us that collagen powders or beverages enter the whole of your body, which is more effective than applying a collagen-rich ointment to one part of your body.

Support can be found for the safety and benefits of collagen-rich dietary supplements. Let us, for instance, look at the results of an experimental study by Proksch, Segger, Degwert, Schunck, Zague and Oesser in 2014. The researchers found that oral intake of collagen hydrolysate improved skin elasticity levels, improved skin moisture and had an effect on skin evaporation in elderly women. The study observed no side-effects of regular collagen supplement intake.

While collagen injections are safe and directly effective in ironing out wrinkles, they need to be administered by a medical professional. Medical professionals may also determine your suitability for a collagen injection, based on your individual medical conditions and sensitivities.

Maximizing the Effectiveness of a Collagen-Happy Diet

Collagen supplements, hailed as beauty ingredients, seem to be a near-natural solution to waning skin and hair. For older adults, they are a way of improving their skin health. For young professionals in their early twenties, it can be a great way of remaining healthy and preventing the rude shock of dull, thinning skin. Most e-commerce websites allow you to order collagen powder or beverage supplies by the month. Consult your doctor if you feel you are not sure what your collagen intake can be.

Collagen supplements seem to be a great complement to aging. Of course, like every solution to better health, it works best when you maintain a good lifestyle. Boil an egg for breakfast, get enough sleep and slather on some SPF. In addition to this, it is safe, and even beneficial to stir in a collagen supplement into a fragrant cup of tea.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23949208
http://www.byrdie.com/eating-collagen/slide3
http://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/collagen-drinks-do-they-actually-help-skin
http://www.getthegloss.com/article/the-truth-about-beauty-drinks