Down the rabbit hole, I go.
Sometimes, after a trip down the virtual rabbit hole, just like Alice, I feel a little wiser once out the other side. Or perhaps, not so much wiser, but certainly with a lot more information than when I started. And so it was today.
Curiouser and curiouser…
I’ve been wondering for a while, with more than a little scepticism, whether it was possible to restore collagen in your skin by eating it. Or, is it all just hype and marketing similar to the claims a collagen cream or serum will give you back your collagen. If only it were that easy!
The fact is, the collagen molecule is just too large.
The best you could ever hope for is a slight plumping to the surface of your skin, but really? You’d be better to spend your money on potent active ingredients with a minuscule molecular structure able to weave their way into your dermis.
But still, eating collagen? I was curious. It was time to get the facts about collagen-boosting peptides as a beauty food.
Collagen, through the looking glass.
Your collagen is responsible for the strength, structure and support of your skin. With every passing year, collagen begins to diminish. If you’ve spent any significant time in the sun, then your collagen is not only slowing in its production, but it will also break down quicker than it should. Over time, the enzymatic activity known as metalloproteinase increases leading to the premature demise of your precious collagen.
Getting back what’s been lost.
The idea of losing your collagen prematurely could fill you with despair, and you’d be forgiven for thinking, once lost, it’s gone forever. But then comes the chilling fact; with each passing year, the body’s ability to produce new collagen is not quite what it once was. What then?
Well, you could have your lines and furrows filled with temporary fillers. You could also invest in any of the numerous laser technologies to restore some of what has been degraded and lost. And, a series of chemical peels will stimulate and encourage hyaluronic acid; the substance needed to bind your collagen and elastin in the dermal layer of your skin.
Yep, you could do all of that.
And, if you’re prepared to go forth and invest in your skin through the various technologies available to you, all well and good. You will see improvements over time.
But if there was a way to improve the quality of your existing collagen from the inside to improve the thickness of your epidermis and restore some of the collagen lost through UV-B sun exposure and improve, not just the collagen in your skin but also the health of your digestive system and strengthen your bones, wouldn’t you want to do that too?
Enter collagen peptides.
Collagen Peptides are one way to shore up your collagen. How? Good question and one that sent me down that good old rabbit hole today.
Evidence suggests that you will improve and even restore lost collagen by providing your skin with the essential amino acids required to build collagen. Of course, you could get many of the essential amino acids your body needs to build collagen from eating yoghurt, cheese, milk, meat and seafood. However, the most abundant source of amino acids come from bone, cartilage and scales derived from animal protein.
Many of our modern-day cooking methods leave behind the valuable riches of collagen peptides. So it might make sense to supplement your diet with a high-quality collagen-boosting peptide to provide your skin with a balanced source of amino acids, especially lysine and proline and glycine, the building blocks for collagen synthesis.
Edible Collagen.
My interest in finding out more about collagen peptides and their impact on collagen and skin health led me to reach out to Proplenish, an Australian company with a single mission. ProPlenish produces edible marine collagen to assist the body in renewing its collagen.
Proplenish is a tasteless, odourless dissolvable powder dietary supplement and can be consumed either in juice or smoot
hies or just mixed in with your morning bowl of cereal or porridge.
I’ve been taking Proplenish for a couple of weeks now, and it’s far too soon to tell if it’s improved my skin. In fact, the results will vary from individual to individual depending on your overall health and the condition of your skin. Still, the science does support the inclusion of collagen peptides as a way of improving collagen, so it might be something you’ll want to try.
Or you may prefer a vegan option, I agree. Why not source your collagen through plant-based proteins.
Nutra Organics Beauty Berries Hemp Protein
A certified organic vegan blend of organic hemp protein, sprouted & bio-fermented pea protein and wholesome superfoods is a source of complete protein, zinc, vitamin C, pre & probiotics and fibre when consumed as part of a healthful and varied diet.
With the natural sweetness of berries combined with the smooth nutty flavour of hemp protein, this luscious blend tastes beautiful and provides a variety of nutrients to support a plant-based diet. Beauty Berries Hemp Protein is your go-to complete protein blend with whole foods for nourishing your body, skin, hair and nails, helping you glow from the inside out.
Many of our modern-day cooking methods leave behind the valuable riches of collagen peptides. Adding a supplement to your diet with a high-quality collagen-boosting peptide provides your skin with a balanced source of amino acids, especially lysine and proline, the building blocks of collagen synthesis.
Your fibroblast cells found in your dermis do all the heavy lifting when it comes to producing new collagen and fibroblast cells need a good supply of vitamin C to get the job done. Vitamin C is a non-negotiable.
It’s never just one thing.
I’ve said it many, many, MANY times. When it comes to the health of your skin, it’s never just one thing. There is no magic bullet. But, improving your skin from the inside is a good place to start.
If you decide to seek out a collagen-boosting peptide in an oral supplement, I suggest you also make sure you’re getting adequate amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), as even though collagen peptides provide the amino acids necessary to stimulate collagen production, it’s your fibroblast cells found in your dermis that do all the heavy lifting and fibroblast cells need a good supply of vitamin C to get the job done.
If you’d like to know more about vitamin C and your skin. Beauty 101: Is your collagen getting enough vitamin C, and adding a topical peptide is also an excellent idea. You might be interested in this article: The Power of Peptides for the Skin.
And finally, what’s important is consistency. Like all things, it’s your commitment that will bring you the greatest rewards.
If you decide to try any of the products suggested here or any other collagen-boosting peptide, you may want to check with your health care professional first.
And now you?
Do you eat your collagen? Have you found a formula you swear by? I’d love to hear your story, or if you’ve got a question, then why not shoot me an email here.
See you next time,
