Collagen: What You Need to Know

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, often referred to as the ‘glue’ that holds the body together. Collagen is made up of amino acids: glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine, all of which help our skin, connective tissue, bones, and gut stay healthy.

Natural food sources of collagen are found exclusively in animal tissue, especially the bones and connective tissue. As we trade traditional cooking practices like making homemade, slow-cooked bone broth for more convenience foods, we are getting less and less collagen in our diets. Taking collagen powder, like Daily Collagen is a convenient and extremely beneficial way to incorporate it into your daily diet.

COLLAGEN AS WE AGE...

Our body’s collagen product naturally begins to slow down at the early age of 25. Many modern lifestyle factors including stress, poor diet, and gut microbiome imbalances can decrease the body’s ability to produce it. As a result of lack of collagen in the body, skin can become fragile and less elastic, joints aren’t as flexible, gut health may suffer and our bones may lose their density [1].

- SKIN AND ANTI AGING - 

While collagen is beneficial to the entire body, it is a vital building block for the skin. Collagen makes up a whopping 70% of the protein in your skin, and it works together with a protein called elastin to strengthen the skin and help it remain firm [1]. However, as we age, the outermost layer of the skin thins and loses its elasticity. Increasing your collagen levels can help your skin appear firmer, more smooth, and help your skin cells continue to renew and repair themselves [1].

- CONNECTIVE TISSUE: JOINTS, TISSUE, LIGAMENTS, AND FASCIA - 

As we inevitably lose collagen through as we age, our tendons and ligaments move with less ease. This is often accompanied by stiffness, swollen joints, and chronic pain. Think of collagen as a form of oil for an old, dry, creaky door. It helps lubricate your joints to move more easily, reducing pain and future injury. Researchers have found that taking collagen is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other joint pain disorders [2]. A 2008 study found that athletes who took hydrolyzed collagen for six months saw an improvement in joint pain [2].

- GUT HEALTH - 

A disruption of gut health is connected to a wide range of health issues including diabetes, heart disease, depression, autoimmune disease, and other digestive disorders. It often starts with leaky gut syndrome, when food particles and bacteria pass through small gaps in the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. This creates inflammation in the body and over time can contribute to food sensitivities and autoimmune disease. Collagen can help repair and strengthen the intestinal and stomach lining, healing and easing the uncomfortable symptoms of leaky gut syndrome. When our gut is healthy, we’re able to properly digest food and absorb the nutrients we need to thrive. Taking collagen daily can improve your gut and overall digestive health.

- BONE HEALTH -

We need sufficient collagen to ensure bone strength throughout our lifetime. Collagen increases the amount of minerals in your bones including calcium, which makes our bones strong and flexible enough to withstand stress [3]. As we age, collagen levels throughout the entire body decline, including in our bones, making them more susceptible to fractures. Supplementing with collagen can help to keep our bones stronger and prevent serious injury [3]. 

- HOW TO TAKE COLLAGEN -

The easiest way to take collagen is to add it to your morning beverage. Daily Collagen dissolves easily in both cold and hot drinks. Below are some ideas for adding collagen to your daily routine!

• Warm lemon water
• Herbal tea
• Coffee
• Matcha green tea
• Golden milk latte

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 scoops of Daily Collagen
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• 1 pinch of ground black pepper
• Optional sweetener of choice (i.e. raw honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar or stevia to taste)

Instructions:

1. To a saucepan, add almond milk, collagen, ground turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and sweetener of choice.
2. Whisk to combine over medium heat until hot but not quite boiling.
3. Pour into a mug and top with extra cinnamon. Serve immediately and enjoy!

- REFERENCES - 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1606623/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29337906

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK

This guide was written by Dr. Morrison and the health and nutrition experts at The Morrison Center. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health through the treatment and prevention of disease.

THE TEAM

JEFFREY A. MORRISON, MD

Dr. Jeffrey Morrison is an award-winning medical doctor, a leader in the field of Integrative Medicine, and champion of a nutritional approach to healthcare

ROBIN FOROUTAN, MS, RDN, HHC Robin is a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine and holistic healing modalities. She helps her clients address complicated conditions and return to wellness.	STEPHANIE MANDEL, NC, HEALTH COACH Stephanie is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant and Emotional Freedom Technique practitioner with a passion for helping her clients fulfill their potential through both emotional and physical optimization.