What you need to know before buying collagen supplements
As you probably know, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It forms the connective tissue in our bones, skin and hair. Collagen is basically the glue that holds our body together. As we age, our body produces less collagen and that is why our hair falls out, our skin forms wrinkles and our joints ache. Daily consumption of collagen supplements helps our bodies produce more collagen by supplying amino acids to the cells that produce collagen. With so many companies providing these supplements, here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.
Types of collagen
There are four different types of collagen. Type I collagen provides structure to bones, teeth, skin, tendons, connective tissue and cartilage. Type II helps cushion joints and it is found in elastic cartilage. Type III supports the structure of arteries, muscles and organs. Type IV is found in layers of the skin and it aids in filtration. Collagen supplements contain different types of collagen and you should, therefore, select your supplement based on what problem you want to treat. Type II is excellent for aching joints, whilst Type I is great for firming the skin and minimising the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Ingredients
Check the source of the collagen before purchasing to ensure that you do not have an allergic reaction.Some people find themselves to be allergic to marine collagen, which is derived from fish. Anyone allergic to fish should not use this supplement because it has microscopic amounts of fish protein. If you are allergic to certain foods, always check the collagen source to make sure they are not overlapping with your allergies.
