Have you noticed decreased range of motion in your joints? Are your aches and pains growing more pronounced each year? You may be experiencing collagen depletion.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body. It makes up 65% of our total proteins. Collagen serves as the connective tissue for almost all of our structures including, heart, lungs, arteries, discs, muscles, bones, cartilage, skin and nails.It’s a substance our bodies make naturally, but as we grow older, the production of collagen slows. The most common effect of decreased collagen is the tendency of our skin and muscles to sag, and joints and ligaments become sore and less flexible. Collagen provides necessary support structure to bones, muscles and ligaments and numerous body systems.
Can I “Eat” More Collagen?
One of the problems in finding naturally occurring dietary collagen is that the collagen protein must first be broken down many times by the digestive system, then absorbed through the intestines into the bloodstream. In this digestion process the chain of peptides that makes up the collagen protein must be broken down into much smaller molecules so that the body can more readily put the protein to use. This requires a significant amount of effort for the digestive system and results in little of the protein actually being put to use in the body.However, a balanced well being relies on the body being fed all of the rich nutrients and minerals it needs, aiding the proper functioning of every body process – not simply collagen production. We should aim to eat lots of green cruciferous vegetables high in Vitamin C and E, like spinach, kale, cabbage. Red Veggies and fruits provide the body with an essential antioxidants called Lycopenes that aid collagen production, and provide a natural barrier in the skin from harmful sun rays. Beans and Sprouts provide the body with hyaluronic acid which increases skin hydration and promotes collagen production. Carrots which are rich in Vitamin A , slow the process of collagen depletion. Flax seeds, walnuts, and avocado oil are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which increases collagen production and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
What About Supplements?
High quality collagen supplements should be sourced from freely-grazed, organically-certified grass fed beef. These high end collagen supplements are extracted from cattle hide in the form of gelatin. The top layer is used in the leather industry and the second layer provides gelatin. The gelatin harvested from this inner layer provides 83% Protein, 15% water, 2 % minerals. Gelatin contains nearly every essential human amino acid. This gelatin is engineered to make it “bioavailable”, meaning easy for your body to recognize and use with minimal processing. In simplistic scientific terms, scientists have discovered how to break the peptide chain without using heat or acids, in a process called hydrolysis.
What Does This Mean For You?
This means that the collagen protein is ready to be absorbed and put to immediate use in the body without loosing its benefits to digestive processes. Once the body is provided with the necessary building blocks for new collagen, many people begin to experience quite rapid improvement in many of the body’s systems even lean muscle gain, muscle tone, skin tone, joint rebuilding, ligament strengthening. What does this mean for you? This means increased range of movement, more flexibility, decreased muscle soreness, and many more benefits to numerous body systems!
Terry Chiropractic’s Commitment To Comprehensively Treatment
At Terry Chiropractic we are committed to treating comprehensively so that you experience wellness in your entire body. We want to assist you in recovering your range of motion, your ability to to remain active and free from pain. Visit our office today and let our experienced professionals guide you through a thorough exam and diagnosis, setting you an a course to overall health!
