Is Collagen “The Fountain of Youth”?

Maybe the “Fountain of Youth” is a myth.  A place where, just by bathing in its waters, one could regain a youthful appearance, even in old age.  Even Ponce de Leon supposedly sailed from Spain to find this promise of eternal youth.  But maybe, the “fountain of youth” is closer than we think.  Let’s learn about Collagen!

Collagen: The Fountain of YouthWhat Is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein found in the body and in many other foods we eat (or should eat).  There are many types of collagen.  However, three have come to the forefront of popular culture and research studies:

  • Type I
  • Type II
  • And Type III

The body has Types I & III in abundance.  Types I & III are said to mainly help hair, skin and nails, while Type II is best for joints and cartilage.  As a result, the body gains a natural glow and elasticity and stronger joints.

Using Collagen As A “Fountain Of Youth”:  Supplements

Supplements are all the rage these days.  There’s a powder for this and a pill for that, or so it seems.  And, almost all parts of our bodies diminish to some extent.  Collagen is no different.  So, it would seem the best way to combat the loss of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients is to take a supplement to help boost them in the body.

Types of Collagen:

There are many different types of collagen – 16, to be exact. However, the most commonly researched types of collagen include:  Types I, II and III.

1 + 3 =

Type I Collagen and Type III Collagen are the most prevalent within our bodies. Type I collagen is used for strong hair, skin, nails and bones. Type III is used for the same!

2 =

While Type II Collagen is less prevalent within our bodies, it still offers great benefit to the aging body by promoting joint and cartilage health!

The Right Food Is The Best Medicine

Collagen: The Fountain of YouthHere’s a short list of different foods containing collagen, courtesy of Food Faith Fitness:

  1. Bone broth
  2. Wild caught salmon
  3. Leafy greens
  4. Citrus
  5. Eggs + other proteins like lean turkey.
  6. Soy
  7. Tomatoes and other red veggies
  8. Carrots
  9. Avocados
  10. Garlic

“I think collagen is interesting and there is some data out there suggesting benefit, but I prefer for my patients to eat food.”

Valori Treloar, a Massachusetts dermatologist and nutritionist (WebMD)

Warnings On Supplements

Should you need to supplement, then WebMD suggests consumers “look for companies that get their bones and tissues from cage-free, free-range, and antibiotic-free sources. Look for a trusted brand with a third-party label like NSF or USP. And check out the company’s website to see what it’s doing to keep heavy metals and other contaminants out of their products.”  In other words, do your homework!

Resources

 

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