Boosting your collagen for better joint mobility
EVERYONE is talking about Collagen. So what is it? It’s the most abundant protein in your body. It’s found particularly in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, in the digestive system, and in tendons. Collagen is what helps give your skin strength and elasticity, the glue that holds the body together.
The body’s collagen production slows down and declines as we age, resulting in signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and reduced elasticity. A deficiency could also be to blame for peeling nails and thinning hair. By increasing your collagen levels you can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, improve the condition of your hair and nails, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.
The loss of collagen affects your tendons and ligaments resulting in pain, stiffness and swollen joints due to weaker or decreased cartilage.
With adequate levels you will have better joint mobility with reduced pain, and you will reduce the risk of further deterioration.
Collagen is associated with gut health; it can heal the gut, improving symptoms of leaky gut and IBS, and is worth researching if you suffer with Crohn’s disease or colitis. The amino acids in collagen build the tissue that lines the colon, which helps heal damaged cell walls and soothes the gut lining.
A diet high in sugar, smoking, and high amounts of sun exposure will contribute to depleting collagen levels.
If you take a collagen supplement then taking extra vitamin C will ensure your body can convert the collagen into a usable protein. Other nutrients that support collagen include manganese, copper, proline and berries–especially blueberries, cherries and blackberries. Animal products like eggs, poultry, fish, and milk can all boost collagen formation. Bone broth is an excellent source of collagen. Take a look at your diet and see what improvements you could make.
There are lots of collagen supplements available on the market. You’ll find it on its own, or combined with other nutrients. For example, Your Beauty Tonic contains collagen as well as nutrients to enhance collagen production, with extra ingredients to support skin, hair and nails. And Revive Active Joint Complex contains collagen with extra nutrients that focus on and support joint health and flexibility. Clair Whitty is a Bach Flower Practitioner, a Nutritional Health Coach accredited with Thought Leader Natural Health 2018 and a Vega Food Intolerance Tester at The Natural Health Store, 24 North Main Street, Wexford 053 9121613 | clairm1@eircom.net | www.naturalhealthstore.ie