Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and it’s a major component of connective tissue that makes up many parts of your body. A healthy human is made up of so much collagen that it accounts for one-third of the body. From relieving joint pain to improving your skin, collagen has many health benefits. These benefits are so striking because this protein is what helps give our skin strength and elasticity.  Along with replacing dead skin cells, collagen supplements have become popular and most are hydrolyzed, which means the collagen has been broken down, making it easier for you to absorb. Collagen, like all proteins, is made up of building blocks called amino acids, which are properly structured with the help of vitamin C.

The number one benefit from collagen is considered to be its ability to improve the skin. As you get older your collagen levels decrease which is what causes loose skin and wrinkles. Dr Weil states that, “At about age 40 our natural collagen production begins to decline at about one percent per year. In addition, sun damage, smoking, exposure to pollution and weight fluctuations can further diminish collagen production.”  Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.  Collagen helps maintain the integrity of your cartilage, which is the rubber-like tissue that protects your joints and its supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen synthesis in the body. This can help promote pain relief for people with joint pain and disorder.

There are different types of collagen supplements: plant based or animal based. Stated on Draxe.com, the main difference is, plant based collagen helps boost the body's collagen receptors -- especially as we age and we underproduce it --  with its intricate alkaloidal and nutrient composition. Animal collagen is a processed protein that has specific amino acid compositions with a high concentration of glycine, hydroxyproline and proline. These hydroxyproline peptides stimulate cells in the skin, joints and bones, and lead to collagen synthesis through cell activation and growth.

A bovine collagen supplement is one of the most beneficial and straightforward ways to up your collagen intake. This type of collagen benefits skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, bones, eyes, and blood vessels. It’s a naturally occurring protein found in the cartilage, bones and hides of cows. Bovine collagen also provides the amino acid proline. Proline plays a critical role in the body’s ability to produce its own collagen.

Nature has provided us quite a large amount of plant based sources of foods and herbs that help boost our own collagen receptors. Antioxidant rich botanicals help to support healthy collagen production in the body. Try our Simple Botanics’ Superfood Green Powder which contains many natural ingredients and herbs which can help to absorption and functioning of collagen receptors or one of our Collagen Packs, and let us know how you feel!