How Collagen Compliments the EBS Lifestyle
It takes one person in the public eye to be linked to a product’s worthiness, and everyone is scrambling to find out more.
Some crazes get taken out of context and are rather extreme. They soon fall by the wayside (thankfully), but taking collagen powder is sticking around – and for a good reason.
In this article, I am going to tell you the reasons why I personally love and use collagen.
Discovering Collagen
Is Collagen Good for Autoimmune Diseases?
What Is Collagen?
Why Do We Need to Take Collagen?
What Is Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder?
The Benefits of Collagen?
What Shall I Look For When Buying Collagen?
Is Collagen Worth the Hype?
What Helps Collagen Absorption?
Discovering Collagen
Before I qualified as a Naturopathic Nutritionist in 2021, I studied health and nutrition (and continue to) for over ten years to find a solution for a couple of “incurable” auto-immune conditions I was suffering from.
My primary focus was to get healthier, enjoy my life, and stop spending time in various hospitals. My research into preventing, reducing, and managing inflammation in the body is why Eat Burn Sleep exists.
Of course, I enjoy sharing what I discover – and one of the amazing products I found along the way was indeed collagen during this journey of healing my autoimmune diseases.
Is Collagen Good for Autoimmune Diseases?
I suffer from Ulcerative Colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease (it’s like IBS on speed!). When people suffer from autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, food intolerances, inflammatory bowel diseases, and so on, the origin is leaky gut syndrome.
The one thing about leaky gut syndrome is that the gut should be completely sealed. No particles should go into the blood. When the gut lining is not sealed and ‘leaky’, particles go into the bloodstream. This is what causes lots of problems in the body.
So, during my healing process, I tried glutamine without much success – and then my Naturopath suggested collagen protein powder.
I have listed the benefits of how collagen has complimented my anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle below, but in brief, collagen reseals and rebuilds the gut lining.
Collagen is suitable for inside and outside your body; it began my recovery (but not by itself). If you have just joined the platform, Members, get started on the most powerful, long-lasting health reset here.
I used to be intolerant to most foods, and then through rebuilding my gut, and resetting my health, I could eat something other than chicken soup and broth! Amazing!
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, keeping it all together like a scaffold. It is formed by amino acids linking together to form fibrils, which are long, thin, supporting fibers – and are located in your muscles, your bones, skin, and connective tissues.
There are four types of collagen:
- 1. The most abundant, representing 90% of total collagen in the body, is found in bones, teeth, skin, fibrocartilage, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
- 2. Cartilaginous tissues which cushion joints
- 3. Muscles, internal organs, and arteries
- 4. Skin – fibroblasts (cells) form in the middle of the skin, where dead cells are restored and replaced, and new cells grow.
Why Do We Need to Take Collagen?
Natural collagen (endogenous collagen), synthesized by the body, breaks down as we age and are exposed to external and internal toxins like UV rays, pollution, smoking, and unhealthy diets. Depletion causes many issues in the body, like cartilage weakening and aging.
This is why collagen from outside sources (exogenous) comes in handy!
What Is Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder?
Hydrolyzed collagen powder is 100% pure protein powder constituted of amino acids broken down into smaller units.
It is popular because this process makes it easier to dissolve and add to shakes, tea, soups, etc. I sometimes add a tablespoon to my green tea in the morning.
It is the equivalent of bone broth in powder form.
The Benefits of Collagen
The immediate benefit of taking collagen for me was a reduction in my symptoms, which meant the collagen powder did help rebuild my gut lining initially. This may seem irrelevant to you, but it isn’t.
Your gut is the MOST IMPORTANT organ when it comes to overall health.
A healthy gut lining will stop you from having leaky gut syndrome, which is the source of many ailments – from food intolerances to auto-immune issues.
The second collagen benefit, combined with nutrient-rich foods and a healthy gut, was for my hair, skin, and nails. I noticed that my skin became plumper, more elastic, and more hydrated.
My fine lines reduced significantly. I am 44 years old, and people often compliment my skin. There might be a genetic element to it, but I am convinced my low inflammation lifestyle has much to do with it!
Collagen protein is definitely one of my best beauty products, but you can’t take it alone and expect miracles if your lifestyle is unhealthy!
I have never had any botox, fillers, or treatments done to my face. I only use natural products and feed myself on the anti-inflammatory diet I developed. You may want to read my article: Eating for Glowing Skin: Secrets Revealed!
My hair also got thicker and shinier, and my nails stronger.
The third collagen benefit I found was that it maximizes the benefits of a workout and plays a good part in any sports performance and recovery program. Again, it maximizes workout benefits because my body is less inflamed!
I recommend my pre or post-workout shake, which builds and effectively repairs muscles and cartilage. (Because it is potassium-rich, I also recommend that shake for replenishing the body when you feel hungover!).
Regularly adding collagen powder to any of my anti-inflammatory smoothie recipes will improve your gut’s health.
Medical professionals use collagen in a plethora of methods to repair tissues.
It is to be noted that taking collagen powder alone does not cancel out harmful foods or an unhealthy lifestyle. You don’t want to waste money because good collagen powder is not inexpensive.
In conjunction with a diet that is rich in compounds that heal the gut and with an anti-inflammatory lifestyle guide, it works beautifully. I state this because sometimes non-members wonder why it isn’t working as claimed.
What Shall I Look For When Buying Collagen?
You can find many brands and types of collagen online. I advise avoiding expensive supplements in tablet form or flavored versions.
Go for grass-fed pasture hydrolyzed collagen.
For an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle, we avoid substances that cause inflammation. It is the same with animals. If they are eating grains, then this will be collagen that will cause inflammation.
When an animal eats grass rather than grains, this will allow you to consume a product higher in Omega-3s (the good omegas that lower inflammation) and lower in Omega-6s (the bad guys which cause inflammation). You may want to read: Do We All Need Omega-3?
Check for third-party certification, too, from a credible group. I have listed the one that I use on my Yalda Loves page.
We are constantly adding lifestyle products to help with gut health and chronic inflammation to Yalda Loves. You will find many products there that will assist with living a happy, healthy anti-inflammatory lifestyle.
Is Collagen Worth the Hype?
When combined with a gut-healing diet and lifestyle, I am confident that collagen powder is worth the hype.
This is based on my experience over several years and feedback from members complimenting its effectiveness while following Eat Burn Sleep.
Maximum benefits are seen and felt in conjunction with a gut-healing diet and lifestyle. Full absorption occurs when the body is healthier.
What Helps Collagen Absorption?
Collagen compliments the anti-inflammation program, and I must reiterate that collagen alone cannot heal conditions.
Eating the right compounds in conjunction with collagen powder is essential in foods, as much as it is to avoid certain substances found in food – to maximize absorption.
Considering the properties of ingredients, the presence of some substances can cancel the good compounds’ quality and may impede absorption.
Certain compounds, for instance, are abundant in the Eat Burn Sleep recipes; substances that protect the body, which will aid collagen present in the body to get on with its job!
Eat the right foods to heal your body, feed your microbiota, manage inflammation, and protect your body from damage.
I enjoy creating new recipes developed with healing at the top of my mind!
As you can imagine, it is music to my ears to hear the life-changing success stories from members and how my recipes nurture and delight. There are over 260 anti-inflammatory recipes now (many contain collagen-rich ingredients) on the Eat Burn Sleep program.
Enjoy this collagen-rich Oxtail recipe that is easy to digest and popular—comfort and healing in a bowl.
Coconut & Collagen Chia Pudding will surely delight your tastebuds!
You may also enjoy my collagen shake recipe, which I am drinking here:
