Collagen is composed mainly of the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids form three strands, which make up the triple-helix structure characteristic of collagen ( 3). Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, a nutrition professor at Boston University and host of the podcast Spot On! For this story, Team Byrdie worked with several experts to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when buying collagen supplements. Those experts included: Our Coconut & Collagen Capsules are a unique formulation of hydrolysed collagen and coconut oil, with added vitamin C to support your general health. How Much Collagen Should I Take?

Collagen supplements may provide other health benefits as well, such as improving body composition in certain populations when combined with resistance training ( 28). Collagen is a type of protein. In fact, it’s the most abundant structural protein in animals. A structural protein is one that makes up the structure or framework of your cells and tissues ( 1). Your body has been making collagen your whole life,” says Elizabeth Bradley, MD, Medical Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine. “Products to boost your collagen levels may be helpful, but you first need to consider if your body needs more.” When collagen levels drop Your body makes collagen naturally, but you can also consume it through collagen supplements and certain foods, which may benefit the health of your skin, your bones, and more.

This and other vitamins and minerals could cause health issues if you take them in high doses for a long time ( 29). Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with either parchment paper or a baking mat.

For example, a diet low in compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may help promote skin health. AGEs are toxins that accumulate in the skin. They can cause collagen to stiffen and can inactivate proteins responsible for collagen repair ( 33). Geahchan S, Baharlouei P, Rahman A. Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration. Mar Drugs. 2022;20(1):61. Published 2022 Jan 10. doi:10.3390/md20010061 Myvitamins Coconut & Collagen is a special blend of minerals expertly formulated to support the condition of your skin. 1When the body breaks down dietary proteins into amino acids, collagen is made. Once formed, this protein provides our skin, hair, joints and other connective tissues with structure. These changes, along with the loss of another key structural protein called elastin, lead to signs of aging such as sagging skin and wrinkles. Collagen uses While studies show that saturated fat consumption is not directly associated with a higher risk of heart disease, some health organizations, including the American Heart Association, recommend limiting your intake to less than 5–6% of total daily calories ( 30, 31). Without enough collagen in our diet, we can suffer from a whole host of symptoms including weak joints, slow healing wounds and thinning hair. Wrinkles

Al-Atif H. Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: A Paradigm Shift in the Fields of Dermatology and Cosmetics. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2022;12(1):e2022018. Published 2022 Jan 1. doi:10.5826/dpc.1201a18 Pour the mixture in a silicone mold of your choice. Freeze for 20 minutes until the fat bombs harden. Store in the freezer or the refrigerator. Although you may not be able to find pure collagen that isn’t animal-derived, you can boost your own collagen production from within by using plant-based ingredients. https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/inflammation-playsOn the other hand, one recent review concluded that adding coconut fat to meals could actually increase insulin resistance long term, which could worsen blood sugar control. Therefore, more research is needed to better understand the effect of coconut on blood sugar regulation ( 23). Summary Collagen supplements have a lot of hype behind them—but also clinical research that indicates a slew of benefits for your skin. “Collagen is a structural protein known to support your skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments,” says Breanna Woods, MS, RD, a dietitian based in Indianapolis. “As we age, our body naturally produces less collagen. Smoking cigarettes and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol negatively affect collagen production, as does following a diet high in ultra-processed foods and added sugar ( 12, 13, 14). Furthermore, some research shows that coconut oil can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which is a risk factor for heart disease ( 29). Another study observed a 13 percent reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles in healthy females after 12 weeks on a collagen supplement.