7 Reasons Why You Should Consume Collagen and Easy Ways to Do it

Collagen is the most plentiful protein in humans and animals.  It is found almost everywhere in the body, but is most abundant in the skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. It provides strength for your muscles, skin, cartilage, blood, bones and ligaments.

Collagen contains glycine.  Glycine is an amino acid that your body uses to create proteins, which it needs for the growth and maintenance of tissue and for making important substances, such as hormones and enzymes.  Unless you consistently eat nose to tail, most of us are not consuming enough of this amino acid.

HERE ARE 7 CONVINCING REASONS TO CONSUME MORE COLLAGEN:

1. HEART HEALTH

Muscle meats and eggs are high in the amino acid, methionine.  In some people, eating too much methionine can result in elevated levels of homocysteine, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.  Glycine helps keep methionine and homocysteine levels in a healthy balance.

2. GUT HEALTH

Glycine improves gut integrity, digestion and absorption.  If you suffer from food intolerances, leaky gut, SIBO, or IBD, collagen can help “repair” your gut.

3. STRONG BONES AND JOINTS

Bones are one third collagen.  Collagen not only stimulates growth of cartilage (in your joints) , it comforts and supports weak joints.  It helps decrease joint inflammation and pain.

4. MUSCLE MASS

Research has shown that increasing glycine levels helps to slow age-related loss of muscle.  Are you convinced yet?

5. SKIN AND HAIR HEALTH

Collagen helps improve skin elasticity and hydration, reducing wrinkles.  Collagen also stimulates hair growth, resulting in thicker, shinier locks.

6. SLEEP

Glycine has been shown to decrease anxiety, promote calmness and improve sleep.

7. WOUND HEALING

Research shows collagen powder speeds up healing time.  

EASY WAYS TO INCREASE COLLAGEN IN YOUR DIET

1. EAT GELATINOUS MEATS

Shanks, oxtail, ribs, neck, feet, cheeks.  Cuts that are considered tough that you can slow cook until tender.  I save the bones in the freezer to use in my next batch of bone broth.

2. EAT SKIN AND CARTILAGE

Skin is almost pure collagen and pretty darn tasty.   I make some version of chicken drumsticks (skin on) once/week.  The whole family loves them and most of us leave nothing but bare bones on our plates.   And save these bones, too.

3. BONE BROTH

I enjoy sipping a mug of warm bone broth or using in recipes to add flavor and nutrients

4. COLLAGEN POWDER 

On days that I do not drink bone broth, I add this to my coffee in the morning or to a smoothie.  Easy.

***May not be suitable for those with histamine intolerance