As one of the most common proteins in the human body, found in the skin, bones, hair, teeth and connective tissues as well as several other places, collagen is very important to the healthy function of organs throughout the body. Collagen is produced naturally, although levels of collagen production fall off over time. Beginning around the age of thirty, the levels of the protein start to decline, with that rate of decline increasing as we age, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles among many other unfortunate side-effects, such as increased joint pain and muscular recovery time. It is therefore no surprise that collagen supplements have become such a popular product over the last few years, with studies having proven them to be effective in everything from aiding hair and skin health, to increasing bone density, and plenty more besides.
What are collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements, much like other vitamin and mineral products you might be familiar with, introduce an extra source of collagen to the body. Where some products may focus on stimulating the production levels already present in the body, some others may act more straightforwardly as a dose of collagen. Supplements tend to be ‘hydrolysed’, broken down or slightly pre-digested with water molecules, because of the large, complicated molecular make up of collagen in its natural state. There is a wide variety when it comes to the forms of supplementation, which we discuss elsewhere, from tablets to face masks to pre-made drinks, but it is worth noting that, generally speaking, liquid collagen supplements alongside powder collagen supplements are the most effective.
What is hyaluronic acid and why should I use it?
Hyaluronic acid is similar to collagen in that is a naturally occurring substance found in the body, in the fluid of the eyes and in connective tissues, it aids the appearance, hydration and structure of the skin, and declines over time. Hyaluronic acid is one example of a polysaccharide, a long chain of carbohydrate cells which provides an important source of energy for animal cell, and structure in plant cells. Put simply, hyaluronic acid is extremely effective at creating extra hydration in the skin, as it works by attracting and binding water molecules up to several hundred times its own weight. This hydrating effect, although it does of course have an aesthetic benefit, also carries positive health implications as dry cracked skin can be less effective at repelling external irritations and contaminants. The other thing to note, although it is always worth consulting a medical professional before incorporating anything into your skin care or health routine, is that hyaluronic acid is generally considered to be safe, with a relatively low probability of adverse reactions.
Why your collagen supplements should have added vitamins
When comparing different collagen supplements you’ll notice that, quite commonly, they will also include additional vitamins or other health compounds. There are a number of reasons for this, depending on the product itself and its intended effects. In some cases, products are intended to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, in which case the addition of certain elements will help the body either create or absorb the collagen required. Vitamin C, for example, is not produced by the human body, but it is required in order for the body to absorb therefore make use of collagen. Vitamin supplements are also useful for people who may have dietary requirements or intolerances which prevent them from including certain vitamin rich foods within their diet. With this in mind, collagen supplements which include added vitamins are something of a no-brainer. Whether the intention is to make the product itself more effective, or rather simply to provide a bonus health benefit, supplements which include added vitamins are a highly recommended option.
Why taking collagen supplements with hyaluronic acid is beneficial
The thing that makes collagen with hyaluronic acid supplements so effective is the similar benefits provided by both. Both hyaluronic acid and collagen peptides have been proven to increase the hydration, elasticity and plumpness of the skin, while the benefit of combining both leads to an even greater benefit. While collagen is good for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyaluronic acid is great for reducing blemishes and inflammation, meaning a combination of the two will give a better overall boost to the health of your skin. As well as creating a marked boost in combatting the signs of premature ageing, there is also a more general health benefit, where collagen is beneficial to the healing of wounds and hyaluronic acid is good for dealing with joint pain and stiffness.
In summary, searching out collagen supplements with additional vitamins and nutrients is well worth the effort, while products with additional hyaluronic acid have an incredible capacity for hydration, both in the skin and throughout the body.
