Everywhere you look, people are talking about collagen.  What makes collagen so important? Why do we see so many products, cosmetics and foods with added collagen? 

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in our bodies.  Collagen plays a key role in providing strength and structural integrity to body tissues. It is like the glue that holds our bodies together. 

Collagen is found in our muscles, bones, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, organs, blood vessels, skin, and intestinal lining. Our bodies manufacture collagen from the nutrients in the foods we eat. Collagen is a protein only found in, and made by, animals, including us. 

As we age, our body’s ability to create collagen diminishes. Loss of collagen production results in wrinkles, loose skin, stiff joints, and brittle bones. Aging is a natural process of life, but we all want to avoid those unwanted side effects.

How can we age gracefully and minimize the negative effects of growing older? Does taking collagen supplements, drinking bone broth, eating lots of animal products, or using cosmetics with added collagen make a difference? 

The problem is collagen is a huge molecule. Collagen is too large to be absorbed through the skin, so adding collagen to cosmetics doesn’t increase the collagen of the skin.

When we eat animal products, their collagen must be broken down into component parts through digestion before our body can produce its own collagen. So eating animal products is helpful, just not efficient for slowing the aging process. Eating nutrients needed to make collagen is much more efficient.

In light of these facts, people are turning toward supplements. Can supplements actually make a difference in the aging process? The best answer is it depends upon the supplement. If the supplement contains simply collagen, then it probably will not do much good.  If the supplement contains the elements needed by the body to make collagen, then it can be more helpful.

Great Natural Remedy

Liquid BioCell is a unique supplement that has been clinically demonstrated to improve joint mobility, promote healthy cartilage and connective tissue, and support joint lubrication in double-blind placebo-controlled trials.  

The cartilage of our joints is largely composed of type ll collagen, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. Using a patented Bio-Optimized^TM manufacturing process, type ll collagen, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate are combined to create a matrix that is Liquid BioCell. Liquid BioCell mirrors the composition of the cartilage in our body and is easily absorbed and utilized by the body. 

Bioavailability is the measure of how efficiently a substance enters the blood stream. Liquid BioCell has naturally enhanced bioavailability due to its low molecular weight and is easily absorbed by the body.

Liquid BioCell is combined with a variety of antioxidant juices, enzymes, and herbal extracts to create several different nutritional supplements: Liquid BioCell Life, Liquid BioCell Skin, Liquid BioCell Sport, and Liquid BioCell Pet for dogs, cats, and horses. 

Since Liquid BioCell is easily absorbed by the body, it is also used to create topical skin products shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I have been using Liquid BioCell products since 2014 and am proud to promote them.  Click here to learn more about the complete line of Liquid BioCell Collagen Sciences products. 

The Bottom Line

Aging is part of living. Collagen is a protein and proteins are made from organic compounds called amino acids. Eating a diet rich in the nutrients our bodies need to create collagen can definitely slow the process of collagen loss.

Three amino acids, glycine, proline, and lysine, are essential for our bodies to synthesize collagen. Also essential for collagen production are the minerals zinc, copper, and silicon. Eating foods rich in these nutrients assures the body with have the building materials to create collagen. Finally, Vitamin C is vital for the body to make collagen. Without Vitamin C, the body cannot produce collagen.

Dietary Considerations

Lysine-rich foods: tofu, beans, green peas, cooked spinach, beets, sweet potatoes, quinoa, squash and pumpkin seeds, cashews, pistachios, hemp seeds, oats, avocados, mangoes,  legumes, Spirulina, and red meats, poultry, cheese, eggs. 

Proline-rich foods: cabbage, yogurt, asparagus, bamboo shoots, seaweed, mushrooms, sunflower seeds.

Glycine-rich foods: seaweed, carob seeds, watercress, asparagus, cabbage, tofu, spinach, beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, pear, apple, banana, whole grains, sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds, cashews, pistachios, and legumes.

Zinc-rich foods: cacao, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, sesame seeds, spinach, almonds, cashews, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, oats. 

Copper-rich foods: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, cashews, spirulina, shiitake mushrooms, swiss chard, kale, spinach, cocoa.

Silicon-rich foods: cherries, oranges, apples, beets, eggplant, figs, strawberries, tomatoes, grapes, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cucumber, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, whole grains such as oats, barley, and rice.

Vitamin C-rich foods: all citrus fruits, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, bell peppers, papaya, guavas, kiwifruit, broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, snow peas.