October 01, 2019

How to Use Collagen

Overview- What is Collagen?

One of the biggest trends in health and wellness right now is collagen- and for good reason. Collagen is what gives you glowing, youthful, and healthy skin, not to mention its countless other health benefits for your body and overall well-being. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, made up of amino acid chains which basically act as building blocks for us. Our skin is partially made of collagen and elastin, which are the things that help keep skin functioning and strong. Both are found in the dermis (middle layer) of our skin. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen each year after age 20. Due to the fact that collagen production starts to slow down, it's important to take supplements to offset this deterioration. Besides glowing skin, collagen supplements help with joint health and joint pain, connective tissue function, skin elasticity and skin health, bone health and strength, and even your gut health. The results of collagen as a dietary supplement vary from person to person, but the good thing is there are no known side effects. It's always important to ask your doctor for medical advice regarding collagen supplementation or any other dietary supplement you may use, but there is a lot of promising research that proves collagen is safe, effective, and a supplement you should be taking for either beauty or health! With collagen, there are multiple varieties and types of supplements available. You can find types of collagen from cows, pigs, chicken, or fish. Marine collagen is the only pescatarian option available, and there are no vegan options given the supplement is derived from animals. You always want to check your supplement for quality. It should be grass-fed, wild-caught, or organic in order to ensure it's the purest and cleanest type available. So whether you need skin hydration for a beautiful glow, want to decrease your wrinkles, or have pain in your joints and bones, collagen supplementation can help you in some way. As previously mentioned, there are many forms of collagen. Read on to learn more about how to use collagen and what types work for your specific needs.

The most common way to use collagen is simply as an everyday supplement. These supplements come in the form of liquid shots, pills, collagen powder, and gummies. The collagen powder can be mixed into cold liquids or hot liquids such as plain water. The supplements are made to take as a daily dose, meaning 1 or 2 gummies, 1 shot of collagen, and 1 or 2 pills (depending on what the directions say to do). You need to read the labels, however, because gummies and liquid shots are often hiding added sugar.
A good idea is to get your collagen supplement through protein sources such as a protein bar. Our Kalumi BEAUTYfood bars are the perfect option for sustained energy, staying full, glowing skin, and of course, a collagen boost. Not only do they contain antioxidants, superfoods like sweet potato and cocoa butter, and wild-caught marine collagen, they're the easiest and most convenient way to take your collagen supplement. Just grab a bar and go.
Another idea is to take your collagen protein powder, collagen peptides, or whatever form of collagen supplementation you're using and use it in baked goods. These treats can include muffins, paleo and keto treats, breads, or cookies. It's always fun to bake things, but this option is definitely the most amount of work, and has the possibility of becoming unhealthy if you're adding sugar and multiple other ingredients to your recipes. If you are looking to jumpstart weight loss or are trying to cut carbs, this is probably not the best way to take collagen supplements.
Try your collagen supplement blended in smoothies! This is a great way to get all of your daily nutrients in a filling and delicious way. Try using your collagen powder and blending it with fruits that are high in vitamin c, avocado for healthy fats, and leafy greens like kale or spinach for antioxidants. All of these things (plus the collagen) create a powerhouse smoothie for healthy and glowing skin.