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Let’s Talk Collagen

Collagen.  The most common protein and most advertised magic anti-aging agent included in face creams.  Also found in Nectar’s Warming Hot Chocolate, or an additional supplement to your juices and smoothies.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t new information! It’s already out there but sometimes we need a little nudge to remember that there are so many other benefits that it provides.

Starting at about age 35, collagen production naturally begins to slow, which can have all sorts of negative effects on your body. By age 40, collagen begins to deplete faster than your body can reproduce it, and by age 60, over ½ of your body’s collagen has been depleted. In addition to ageing, many other factors impact collagen levels. These include genetics, smoking, pollution, excessive sun exposure, and nutritional deficiencies, among others. Adding a collagen supplement or eating more rich in collagen foods (food is medicine after all!) to your daily regimen is essential for optimal health and functioning.

Collagen in short, helps the pieces of our bodies to fit together, and is crucial to the strength of our bone structure.  Teamed with Elastin (an elastic ‘stretch and snap’ protein also found in the body), skin and contracting parts of the body such as lungs and arteries youthful and stronger.

There are 16 different types of collagen which fall under 4 brackets.

• Type I. This type accounts for 90% of your body’s collagen and is made of densely packed fibres. It provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth.
• Type II. This type is made of more loosely packed fibres and found in elastic cartilage, which cushions your joints.
• Type III. This type supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arteries.
• Type IV. This type helps with filtration and is found in the layers of your skin.

You can think of it as the “glue” that holds all these things together.

In fact, the word comes from the Greek word “kólla,” which means glue. The interesting thing about collagen is that stimulating its growth causes a domino effect. The more collagen you have, the more your body is able to produce and maintain. 

What are the benefits of collagen?

• Increased muscle mass
• Joint pain relief
• Reduction of IBS symptoms
• Repairing of leaky gut
• Tendon and bone strength
• Healthy cartilage
• Increased athletic performance
• Improve cholesterol levels
• Improves hair and nails
• Impacts detox and liver function

Ways to boost Collagen

• Flavourless and odourless powdered supplement
• Aloe vera
• Foods rich in vitamin C – Citrus Fruits, berries
• Ginseng
• Cilantro
• Algae
• Bone Broth
• Chicken
• Fish
• Egg whites
• Garlic
• Leafy Greens
• Cashews
• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers

Things that damage collagen

• Eating too much sugar and refined carbs. Sugar interferes with collagen’s ability to repair itself.
• Getting too much sunshine. Ultraviolet radiation can reduce collagen production. Avoid excessive sun exposure
• Smoking. Smoking reduces collagen production. This can impair wound healing and lead to wrinkles.