Internal Collagen? Truth or Fad?

Consuming Collagen? Truth or Fad?

Consuming powdered or supplemental collagen has become increasing popular as of late. The fascination with aging backwards and transforming the skin to our youthful past has definitely become a concern for women and men as young as 20. I am constantly being asked about this new popular ‘Fad’ that has taken the world by storm. But is there any truth to this fad or are we all just living on a prayer?

What exactly is collagen? Collagen is a protein that binds to tissues and is commonly known for supplying our skin with elasticity and fullness. It is naturally occurring in our bodies and starts to deplete as we age leading to sagging, dryness and lack of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles in our skin. It has been widely used in skin care for centuries. Added into products like masks and serums to help boost the skins elasticity or injectables delivered directly to the tissue to plump lips or soften wrinkles and fine lines. We’ve seen a ton of popularity in products that make a lot of claims for improving skin, hair and nails such a biotin or vitamins “hair, skin and nails.” How is this different? Biotin is a source of B Vitamins that is said to help improve the strength and vitality of your hair, skin and nails for some. While collagen supplements and powders are mostly made up of “ground-up fish, chicken, pig and cow parts” that are said to improve the skins hydration levels, softness and complexion. The ingredients of some of these supplements are what make this more controversial for many health professionals who are concerned about the internal consumption of collagen possibly including toxic heavy metals and possible dangerous diseases such as (BSE or mad cow disease). 

The idea behind collagen is for its consumption by pill or powdered form to be absorbed into our cells and translated to our skin, making it plumper, rosier, less dry and less wrinkled. There is unfortunately not much scientific evidence that this really does all that much. Many are unsure if our stomach acids are breaking down these collagens before they ever provide any actual benefits. 

So, what is the verdict? Many people have seen huge improvements in dryness which helps the skins appearance from looking dull, more radiant and plump. However, it is extremely important to find a source of collagen that is vegan, and free of additives. I would highly suggest “Vital Proteins” for its purity and safety. I am not a medical doctor and do not have any scientific evidence that this will provide any actual benefits to your skin or body. But with celebrity endorsements all over the internet I know that a lot of you are going to want to try it for its potential benefits. 

My own personal opinion: I prefer to take care of aging in different ways. The three most important contributors to anti-aging are: hydration, sun protection and cell-turnover through chemical exfoliation as well as a focus on overall healthy. Eating a healthy diet full of healthy fats, fiber and whole grains and getting plenty of exercise to increase blood flow and circulation throughout the body and our organs.

·      Hydration internally and externally by consuming adequate amounts of filtered water, and applying hydrating ingredients directly to your skin such as hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. It’s also important to have adequate oil production by not over drying your skin with the wrong products or too many exfoliants. 

·      Sun Protection is crucial. I repeat CRUCIAL for skin health and anti-aging. UV rays both A and B are culprits for aging the skin, depleting the skin of moisture and breaking down collagen as well as making you more susceptible to skin cancers and skin lesions. Applying sun protection every 2 hours is standard for protecting your skin. Choose a sunscreen that is physical (which won’t disrupt your hormones or cause skin irritations) of an SPF of 50. 

·      Cell turnover is HUGE and a step most people leave out. As we age are cell turnover rate slows down dramatically which is responsible for keeping our skin youthful and plump. When the skin is constantly producing new cells as at fast rate it is producing collagen and fresh new skin regularly. In order to continue producing these fresh new cells at the rate we did when we were in our teens and 20s, regular chemical exfoliation is needed. Chemical exfoliation increases the rate of cell turnover. This can be done through enzymes, peels, adding glycolic or lactic acids and retinols into your daily routines in cleansers, serums or exfoliants. This is extremely effective in achieving youthful skin.

So, while the verdict is still out about collagen increasing our skins youthfulness, there are so many other ways to fight aging without potentially adding in yet another dietary supplement to our already hectic routines. But if internal collagen does spark an interest in you and you absolutely need to keep up on the latest and greatest trends, make sure you do your research and know your facts. It may help to increase your skins hydration and complexion according to some.