Many people have heard of collagen in a beauty context, like in face masks and skincare, but collagen is so much more!

Collagen is a protein your body makes, and it’s found in your bones, blood, skin, and muscles. It accounts for a third of the proteins in your body.

Benefits of Collagen

Collagen, through food or nutritional supplements, provides a variety of health benefits.

Improved skin strength, elasticity, and hydration
Relieved joint pain and healthier cartilage
Less bone loss
Boosted muscle mass to combat what is lost with age
Improved heart health by providing structure, elasticity, and flexibility to your arteries
Improved levels of HDL (good) cholesterol
Stronger and longer nails
Stronger, thicker, and longer hair

As we age, existing collagen starts to break down, causing joint issues, dry, saggy skin, decreased bone density, and decreased muscle mass - just to name a few. In addition to existing collagen breaking down, it gets harder for our bodies to create more of it.

Though aging reduces collagen, the biggest collagen production killers are from behavioral and environmental factors, like too much sun exposure, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and a lack of sleep.

So, what do we do?

Collagen from Diet

Several foods can naturally increase your collagen intake, including:

Gelatin
Bone broth
Fish
Shellfish
Tough cuts of meat with connective tissue (e.g., brisket, chuck steak)
Eggs

Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis, so you should also eat foods rich in Vitamin C, like citrus, bell peppers, and broccoli.

I would usually stress getting your nutrition through food sources, but in this case, research has found that these food sources may not have the same benefits as collagen supplements because the collagen in supplements is thought to be absorbed more efficiently than collagen from food.

Collagen from Supplements

Collagen supplements have many health benefits and few known risks. They are generally safe and easy to use, though you should be careful if you have allergies.

In addition to the amino acids that make up collagen, supplements usually also contain additional nutrients like Vitamin C, biotin, and zinc that enhance the benefits.

My trusted collagen supplement is RSP Nutrition’s AvoCollagen. It’s high quality and combines premium hydrolyzed collagen peptides with nutrient-dense avocado oil to create a unique (and safe) supplement.

New Year New Kitchen Guide

As we move into a new year, one place we seem to forget that rule of “out with old” is the kitchen. Spring cleaning is a great time to take inventory, but what better time to start with a fresh new kitchen than the new year?

Let's dive into a decluttering session with the kitchen in mind. It's the perfect time to declutter, refresh and organize the most important room in your house. Purge it of unnecessary and unhealthy items so that this can be your healthiest and most productive year yet.

Get my guide for tips for getting your kitchen ready to fit your new year, new you persona!