What do I need to pay attention to when buying collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is composed of amino acids or peptides. Collagen holds the body's bones, cartilage, skin and blood vessels together and its ability to promote tissue growth, maturation and movement; it is also found under the skin and its ability to prevent the skin from sagging over time. Our bodies slowly start to lose collagen from our 20s onwards, and skin creams and therapies from animal connective tissue seem to be an effective means to counteract the aging of the body, and these therapies do not have any side effects. So what do I need to look for when buying collagen?

The FDA does not evaluate collagen supplements or any dietary supplements, so it is still necessary for consumers to do their own research before buying. First, we need to eat more leafy greens, citrus, eggs, berries, tomatoes, cabbage, pumpkin seeds, avocados and garlic, which provide the environment needed for the body to maintain collagen stability.

So what about bone broth? Despite a lot of hype, the collagen in bone broth is somehow transformed into collagen in the body, and that's just wishful thinking on our part. In reality, the ingredients that make bone broth better are not that special and the collagen may have melted during the cooking process of bone broth. In addition, it is less likely that large amounts of collagen from any source (such as supplements, bone broth or meat, etc.) will travel from the digestive tract all the way to the joints or skin, and if this occurs, then the levels are probably a very small fraction of what we consume, with the most likely effect on the body's intestinal immunity, thus reducing the symptoms of arthritis.

People who like to supplement should mix frozen liquid collagen or collagen powder into a cold drink, the collagen peptides have been melted and therefore its more similar to other protein powders. Of course we need to remember that not all commercial collagen is the same, always find out where the collagen you are buying comes from and if you are allergic to fish, eggs or shellfish, make sure the collagen must be from another source.

Currently, due to the lack of FDA regulation, buying collagen that has been tested by a reliable agency such as USP or UL is also a good way to go. Choose a brand of collagen that we are interested in. If you are looking for the type of collagen that promotes joint health, then Type II collagen may be your best choice; if you want to improve your skin or hair, then Type I collagen may be the best choice. We should make collagen intake a part of our daily lives, and if we stop, the benefits may disappear.