Effective Ways to Boost Collagen: Your Ultimate Guide
Table of Contents
Collagen is the most abundant protein present in the body, which constituted almost 30% of system. It is the basic constituent of skin, muscles, bones, ligaments, blood vessels and even the organs in our body. The amino acids that make up Collagen protein are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Collagen has a fibrous structure, forming a network of right handed triple helix bundle of the following amino acids i.e. glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.
Why is Collagen needed?
Collagen comprises 1/3rd of the total protein content in animals.
- They provide structure and protection to tissues and epithelial linings of organs like the digestive system.
- They constitute the dermis layer of the skin.
- Provides elasticity to skin and the blood vessels.
- Also has a role in renewing dead skin cells
Collagen and Aging
It is inevitable that everyone will be aging since the minute one is born. Aging does not always mean having dentures and loose skin with wrinkles, it’s rather a natural process of maturing and developing. Collagen, just like other proteins, also breaks down, as one ages. With increasing age, the process of breakdown increases at a faster rate, depleting the Collagen pool in the body. The Collagen content has been seen to decline especially after menopause, post the age of 60. For more information about collagen booster contact us.
Collagen Supplements
Collagen, being the key component and the building block of our skin, muscles and bones, it is extremely important to have its required amount in the body. Often, it becomes difficult to gain the required amount of Collagen from the regular diet that we consume, hence the need of supplements. Supplements, are artificially or rather chemically manufactured products which are supposed to “add on” or “supplement” to one’s regular existing diet. A supplement tends to provide one with the required amount of nutrition which are difficult to obtain from regular everyday diet.
Indian food containing Collagen Booster
There are millions of examples of Collagen induced food online but they are hardly available in the Indian market. Food like salmon, sardine, pork broth and beef broth are some of the food items that are rich in Collagen but are not generally consumed by the Indian population, hence it’s not really of much help. Thus, this article by DIET4U WELLNESS would help all those people in our country who cannot really afford such imported and exotic dishes and would rather prefer to adopt to Indian alternatives to get their daily dose of Collagen.
Some of the Indian food which contain appreciable amount of Collagen in them are:
- Fish: Eventhough, a larger population in India is vegetarian, still to all those who are regular consumers of fish, it could be a great source of Collagen. Along with Collagen, it also contains proteins.
- Chicken: Chicken is widely consumed as a non-vegetarian option in our country. It’s a type of white meat and have no as such risks on consumption like other red meat options. Dieticians like Rukhsana Azhar can validate the claims that chicken are rich in connective tissues, from which Collagen can be obtained.
- Amla: It is a fruit commonly consumed by people and has multiple benefits except having Collagen as well. It is known to be good for hair growth, skin and gut health too.
- Milk and milk products like curd, yoghurt, paneer etc.
- Cereals like dal: Dal is a staple dish for Indians, as it is readily available and is affordable to the common masses too. It easily goes by roti or a cup of rice. Along with other nutrients, dal contains other minerals like manganese which is known to activate the Collagen producing enzymes in the body.
Collagen Beauty Drink
There has not been full-proof results into if Collagen pills or Collagen boosting drinks are 100% effective or not. Our bodies cannot take up Collagen in its whole form due to its huge branched network-like structure. For such Collagen supplements to work, they first need to be broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids which have a comparatively lower molecular weight.
Plant based Collagen Supplements
For all the people who are marching towards a healthier and sustainable life and are adopting a vegan lifestyle, companies have got them covered as well. Nowadays, there are vegan or plant based Collagen supplements as well. The main component of such vegan Collagen boosters are “Vitamin C”. Scientific research has shown Vitamin C has been effective to promote Collagen production in the body in vivo. However, the effectiveness of such boosters vary from one person to other depending upon one’s ability to digest and assimilate the supplements. For example, for an elderly person, whose bodily Collagen reserve has decreased over time, if they take regular Collagen supplements, still due to their reduced digestion ability, they would not be able to assimilate such high quantities amount of Collagen either. Another thing, the supplement’s efficiency depends on is the secondary item that it is paired with like Vitamin C in most of the Collagen boosters.
Is Vegan Collagen real?
In the recent years, there have been a huge demand for plant based Collagen supplements, hence even companies are trying to meet their demands by producing such products. However, as we have already discussed that Collagen is an abundant animal protein, so the efficacy of plant Collagen is often considered controversial. Plant based Collagen is rather a collection of other plant-based ingredients which helps in boosting one’s Collagen production thus improving skin and hair health. Vegan Collagen mainly contains natural ingredients like yeasts, bacteria and other vegan food items. Therefore, they try and provide a collection of healthy nutrients providing the essential amino acids, that in-turn would help in boosting the natural Collagen production by one’s body.
Bone broth recipes like pork bone and beef bone broth recipes are great sources of Collagen and they contain “gelatin” which helps in faster recovery of muscle, joints, bones etc. However, the vegan Collagen booster, that we are referring here does not have gelatin, rather contain an assorted mixture of amino acids and minerals which are also found in such animal bone broth soups.
FAQs Related to Collagen Booster
How long does it take for Collagen boosters to work?
Testimonials over the internet say that 10grams of Collagen daily for 4-12 weeks can show remarkable improvement. However, this might vary from one person to another depending on their ability to digest and assimilate further.
What should you avoid when taking Collagen?
A few things one should avoid while regular consumption of Collagen are extreme sun exposure, smoking, alcohol and drugs.
How long does Collagen booster last?
Oral consumption of Collagen do not last forever after having just a few pills daily. In case Collagen boosters are injected under the skin, as a mode of cosmetic surgery can last for 9-10 months since the day of their first injection, provided a healthy lifestyle is maintained.
Is it good to take Collagen everyday?
Dieticians and nutritionists say that it is completely safe to take 2.5-15 grams of Collagen in the form of supplementary pills daily. However, this dose might vary from one person to another, depending on other medicinal history or health aspects.
Are Collagen boosters effective?
Yes, researches have shown that both animal and plant-based Collagens are quite effective in improving ones skin, hair, bones and muscle health.
Hello My Name is Dt. Ruksana Azhar and I am a certified dietician and providing online & offline services for Weight Management, PCOS/PCOD Management, Diabetes Management , etc. I have 12+ years of experience in the Apollo Hospital Delhi , Max Super Specialty Hospital Delhi, Lilavati Hospital Mumbai and VLCC healthcare Mumbai. I loves to write healthcare and lifestyle related blog. My favorite part of being a doctor is the opportunity to directly improve the health and wellbeing of my patients and to develop professional and personal relationships with them.