How does the body absorb collagen? Does it make it to the skin? Here’s all you need to know about collagen absorption.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the body’s building block. It is the substance that holds your cells together. Collagen makes up about three-quarters of the dry weight of your skin, making your skin look plump and free of fine lines and wrinkles. The body produces collagen naturally, but that production decreases as the body ages. Eventually, the body produces less collagen than it uses, and overall collagen levels lower.
How does the body absorb collagen naturally?
To combat the effects of aging, some eat collagen rich foods. Ingestible collagen helps replace some of the collagen that is lost. The body absorbs collagen through the food that you eat. The body combines amino acids from high-protein foods with other vitamins like vitamin c, copper, and zinc to produce collagen. Collagen contains the amino acid hydroproline, an amino acid that is unique in youthful skin.
Poultry, fish, citrus fruits, berries, legumes, leafy greens, and nuts are protein-rich foods that stimulate the body’s natural collagen production. Eating collagen-rich foods will help your body naturally produce the collagen that it needs.
How does the body absorb collagen supplements?
Many people are skeptical whether or not collagen supplements actually reach the skin. The science is unclear and divided.
Your body processes collagen in the way that it processes other proteins. When collagen is ingested, the digestive system breaks down the amino acids with enzymes, and then those amino acids are absorbed into the bloodstream.
So, ingested collagen doesn’t just go directly to the skin. It is absorbed to various parts of the body. Supplements of collagen protein benefit the entire body, especially in older people with collagen deficiencies.
Many people think that if the collagen peptide doesn’t physically reach the skin, it can’t benefit it. That’s not necessarily true, however. Collagen benefits the entire body, and that includes the body’s largest organ: the skin.
How does the body absorb collagen creams and serums?
Some say that topically applied collagen is best absorbed to the skin as it is directly applied, however it is not likely that collagen creams or serums are effective. The collagen peptide molecule is too large to be absorbed by the body through the skin. So, don’t waste your money on expensive collagen creams, and either up your protein intake or invest in some collagen supplements.
What does this mean for me?
Your best bet is to obtain collagen naturally in the foods you eat or in supplement form. You will notice a difference in your skin. It will be bouncier, firmer, and plumper.
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