Collagen supplements are a hot topic right now, and for good reason. Collagen is an incredible nutrient that helps optimize overall health and provides essential amino acids responsible for joint health and skin elasticity.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body. There are 28 different types of collagen, with types I, II, and III being the most common. Together, these three types of collagen are responsible for the health of your skin, hair, bones, teeth, tendons, ligaments and organs (type I), cartilage (type II ) and your muscles and blood vessels (type III ) .

What are the health benefits of collagen?

More and more people are now taking collagen powder and tablet supplements because of the many associated health benefits, such as better skin health (specifically, better elasticity and reduced wrinkles), thicker hair, longer nails and stronger bones. It has also been shown to promote muscle repair.

It’s important that you get enough dietary collagen through your diet to support your overall health, especially to help support healthy aging. As we age, our natural collagen levels decline, starting in our twenties. Supplementing with collagen peptides can help keep your collagen levels at a healthy level.

The main types of collagen supplements

1. Marine: Marine collagen is a dietary supplement made by extracting collagen from bones, skin or fish scales. It mainly comprises type I collagen – the main collagen found in the human body. Marine collagen is similar in size to human collagen. This means it may be more bioavailable and easier to absorb into key areas of the body such as skin, hair, bones, teeth, tendons, ligaments and organs.

It has a smaller molecular structure which some believe may be easier to digest. This may be beneficial for those taking collagen for digestion-related issues, such as a leaky gut.

2. Bovine: Bovine collagen is made by extracting collagen from the skin of cattle and is most commonly found in powder form. When researching bovine collagen, Evergreen Healthfoods recommends sourcing a good quality product where the cattle have been grass-fed and not exposed to antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides. It is important.

The main difference between marine and bovine collagen is the types of collagen they contain. bovine collagen mainly includes type I and type III collagen which are both abundant in the human body, while type I is more prevalent in marine collagen.

How to use collagen

It is available in the form of tablets and powders, depending on the type and brand. Collagen powders are very easy to add to food. Try adding it to hot or cold drinks, soups or stews. Discover the range of collagen supplements available at the eight Evergreen Healthfoods stores in Galway and online at evergreen.ie