Hippocrates belongs to the words: “We are what we eat”. Human health depends on the composition and quality of food. Fibrillary protein, which is involved in the construction of connective tissue, enters the human body with food. Knowing which products contain collagen allows you to preserve the youthful skin, healthy teeth and hair density.
Protein-rich food is the key to the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Proper nutrition reduces the risk of rickets, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The protein strengthens bones and ligaments, makes them elastic, reducing the firelity of sprains and fractures.
Why do we need collagen?
Animal protein coming from food or dietary supplements is responsible for the elasticity, hydration and smoothness of the skin. This natural polymer makes nails strong, hair thick and shiny.
There are 28 types of collagen. The first 5 are well studied – thanks to them, joints, cartilage and tendons gain strength and flexibility. “Youth Protein” also makes blood vessels more elastic, improving blood circulation.
Collagen owes its beneficial properties to the unique structure in the form of a triple helix and the content of amino acids:
- lysine;
- glycine;
- glutamine;
- arginine;
- proline;
- anelin;
- Serin, etc.
In 2018, the results of the work of scientists from Norway and the United States were published. In the course of research, they came to the conclusion that vitamin C can increase the synthesis of type I collagen. Thanks to this, the protein slows down oxidative stress and accelerates bone fusion after injuries. Glycoprotein is also involved in the processes of dermis regeneration and wound healing.
Products containing collagen
A balanced diet is the key to a healthy body, beauty of skin and hair. Both animal and marine collagen are good for the body. However, the daily menu should contain not only proteins. You need to eat foods rich in healthy fats, slow carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The diet should include essential amino acids and important trace elements. These include copper, iron, zinc and sulfur.
All of the listed substances are part of products containing collagen:
- salmon, tuna and trout;
- oysters;
- fish skin;
- chicken, turkey, beef meat;
- pig cartilage and ears, cow tails;
- bone broth;
- jelly and seltz;
- gelatin;
- eggs.
Glycoproteins enter the body both from food and from dietary supplements. To maintain the beauty of the skin, cosmetics with collagen of plant, marine and animal origin are used. However, the active substances from creams and masks do not penetrate into the deep layers of the dermis. For this purpose, collagen fibers are large in size. Therefore, the main suppliers of protein to the body are food and food supplements.
Products that increase collagen production
The protein contains glycine, lysine and hydroxyproline. It is believed that products that contain these amino acids are useful for the production of collagen. Therefore, nutritionists and nutritionists recommend eating:
- poultry and fish;
- meat and quail eggs;
- cheese and yogurts;
- legumes and soybeans;
- mushrooms.
Collagen in animal products is better absorbed by the body than the other. However, plants are also important. They contain coenzymes that are necessary for the assembly of protein molecules.
The body needs collagen generators to synthesize it. These include:
- foods rich in vitamin A and E: butter, liver, sour cream, cheeses, carrots and nuts;
- vegetables and fruits containing a lot of vitamin C: kiwi, rose hips, strawberries, red bell pepper;
- food and drinks with silicon: rice, buckwheat, corn, beans, corn oil, bananas, pumpkin, nuts, mineral water;
- products containing sulfur: onions, garlic, celery, olives, cucumbers, grapes.
Stimulating collagen production allows you to delay the decrease in the rate of protein synthesis. This process is observed as it ages. Collagen synthesis decreases closer to the age of 30 and stops closer to the age of 60. The intake of dietary supplements helps to avoid protein deficiency and support the body.
Collagen in products or in the form of additives - which is better
Food is a natural source of nutrients. Fibrillary protein is best absorbed from products. However, to make up for collagen deficiency, a certain diet should be followed. This is available to few people both because of employment and for other reasons. Therefore, people choose collagen preparations – a food additive in the form of capsules or powder.
However, things are not so simple with dietary supplements. It should be taken into account that collagen, having passed through the esophagus, is digested in the stomach and is dissembled by enzymes into amino acids. That is, protein as a whole substance, undergoing hydrolysis, does not enter the body. Amino acids from dietary supplements can both be included and not included in the synthesis of their own collagen.
If a person eats unbalanced, then everything he eats will be used to cover the deficiency of nutrients. The body will have no resources left for the hydrolysis process. Therefore, supplements are not a panacea. The main condition for the health of joints, ligaments, teeth, skin and nails is proper nutrition.
In some cases, taking dietary supplements is vital. This statement applies to vegans. Lacto-vegetarians make up for the lack of animal protein by eating eggs and dairy products. Vegans do not consume animal products at all. Nutritionists and other specialists, in addition to food additives, recommend them to pay attention to dried fruits and nuts.
These products stimulate the production of collagen. When making up a diet of proper nutrition, it is necessary to take into account which products contain collagen. Plant sources of amino acids are rye, oats, flax and hemp seeds, wheat, oats. They must be included in the vegan menu.
What food and drinks reduce collagen content
The enemies of fibrillar protein are alcohol and nicotine, including passive smoking. Excess sugar in food also leads to the destruction of collagen. Tissue fibers under the action of glycation become fragile and lose the ability to regenerate. Glucose destroys the protein structure. The skin loses density and elasticity, as does the joints with cartilage. So type III collagen turns into a more fragile type I. This process has a negative impact on the condition of connective tissue. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to drink tea to maintain the level of glycoproteins. All its types contain low-molecular antioxidants that prevent protein destruction.
Collagen from Grassberg
The effectiveness of food additives and safety are ensured by the natural composition of raw materials and compliance with production standards. One of the largest manufacturers of drugs and dietary supplements is Abbott Laboratories Corporation. At its factories in Europe, hydrolyzed collagen reinforced with vitamin C is manufactured on modern equipment.
Collagen Premium 500 is a dietary supplement based on the cartilage tissue of pigs. Even-hoofed animals are similar to humans in the structure of internal organs, the mechanism of the body and the composition of the blood. Animal proteins, unlike vegetable proteins, are absorbed by the body by 50-70%. Therefore, collagen is a food additive that uses connective tissues of pigs.
Reception of Collagen Premium 500:
- strengthens the musculoskeletal system and gastrointestinal tract;
- increases skin turgor and smoothness;
- makes joints mobile and vascular walls elastic;
- gives hair shine and density;
- strengthens bones and cartilage tissue.
One capsule of Collagen Premium 500 contains 500 mg of collagen and 40 mg of vitamin C, equal to 67% of the daily dose. The antioxidant included in the preparation facilitates the absorption of glycoprotein. Vitamin C also triggers the processes of its natural synthesis, activating protein production.