Everyone is talking about collagen. Whether beautiful skin, firm connective tissue or flexible joints – hardly any other dietary supplement is advertised so heavily. At the same time, I notice time and again that many women base their decision to buy a collagen product primarily on marketing promises instead of paying attention to the ingredients, origin and quality.
There are major differences.
Many products only contain 2-3 types of collagen, whereas the human body actually uses different forms of collagen that perform different tasks. High quality formulations can combine several types to support different tissue structures.
Equally important: the origin. Some women deliberately do not want to use collagen from cattle and value alternative sources and transparent production.
Collagen is the most common structural protein in our body. In a way, it forms the “scaffolding” that provides stability, elasticity and strength.
Skin
Collagen supports the skin’s elasticity and resilience and can contribute to a smoother complexion.
Connective tissue & cellulite
Connective tissue is rich in collagen. A good supply of collagen can support the firmness of the tissue.
Hair & nails
Collagen provides building blocks for the structure of hair and nails and can indirectly counteract brittleness.
Joints & bones
Collagen is a component of cartilage and bone matrix and plays an important role in mobility and stability.
Muscles & regeneration
As a structural protein, collagen is involved in tissue maintenance and repair processes.
Our body produces collagen itself – but this production decreases with increasing age.
From around the mid-20s, the body’s own collagen production slowly begins to decline.
During the menopause, collagen production can also decrease due to falling oestrogen levels.
Many women notice drier skin, less firmness in the tissue or an increased pulling sensation in the joints and tendon system during this time.
Not every collagen product is the same. When researching, it is worth paying attention to the following points:
✔ Variety of collagen types
✔ Origin and quality of raw materials
✔ Transparent production
✔ Additives and unnecessary fillers
✔ Combination with supporting nutrients
Collagen can be a valuable component of a holistic wellbeing and health concept. However, as with many things, quality, transparency and personal values should play a greater role in the selection process than advertising promises.
Because true beauty, strength and well-being start with informed choices.
