Collagen: Can it be boosted?

Type 1 Collagen is the most abundant type in the human body and is responsible for supporting beautiful and healthy skin, strong connective tissues and sturdy bones. These three issues cause some concern once we start to age, where skin sags, bones become brittle and connective tissue, well, it stops connecting!

Collagen is made by the body in the cells, by creating pro collagen using Vitamin C and protein, obtained from the diet. However, as we age, this is made less, with the Vitamin C being called upon elsewhere, especially as we now consume so much hidden sugar and other junk, that the body has too much to do to worry about great looking skin. By supplementing collagen, we can give our skin, hair, nails, bones and connective tissue a boost.

Scientists at Beijing University's school of Public Health found that marine collagen increased the dermis thickness and bone strength of mice compared to the control group, with marine collagen peptides increasing the activity of fibroblasts; these are cells that create new skin. Research in Canada found that collagen also plays a significant part in wound healing along with some powerful antibacterial properties.

In fact Marine collagen is absorbed up to 1,5 times more efficiently than other animal derived collagen, showing superior bioavailablity. Whereas it has been used by skincare companies in the past as part of a skin cream, it is very effective if taken orally, especially if boosted with other natural herbs and vitamins to support skin, hair and nail strength, along with its bone strengthening capabilities and its beneficial effect on the connective tissue.