Naomi Murray from Botanica Health emporium in Rusthall reveals why collagen is such a highly beneficial wonder product to take
Gelatin is enjoying a revival – and for good reason.
In fact, a few years ago, models at New York fashion week were drinking bone broth, such are the skin boosting benefits of gelatin – or collagen as. It’s more commonly known.
Did you know that it’s the most abundant protein in the body, and one of the major building blocks of skin, bone, muscles, ligaments and tendons? We all have it in abundance in our youth but sadly natural collagen production begins to decline around the age of 25.
Collagen protein also contains a variety of unique, anti-inflammatory properties – hence many people find it helpful for sore joints and inflammatory disorders.
In times gone by jelly, trifle, chicken broth and meat cooked on the bone in stews and casseroles were a common occurrence in households and given they all boast collagen protein perhaps it’s time they had a culinary revival?
Making a broth with the chicken carcass from a Sunday roast not only provides the base of an extremely nutritious meal. Bone broth is also highly nutritious, containing collagen and all the necessary minerals. Gelatin is what you see when you have that gelatinous thick substance when making a reduced stock when boiling up bones.
Gelatin and collagen have a similar nutritional profile but gelatin is broken down in to smaller units and requires soaking.
There are many health benefits of collagen and it is very easy to consume with the convenient powdered forms available produced from cows, fish, chicken or even eggshell membrane.
You do tend to have a higher dose of collagen in the powdered varieties, although you may find a capsule more convenient.
You can purchase gelatin granules (which require prior soaking) which can then be added to hot drinks or used to make delicious desserts. Alternatively, you can purchase hydrolysed collagen powder which can be dissolved into smoothies, juice, coffee etc.
We have a huge range of collagen on our website in the form of gelatine granules, collagen powders and collagen supplements.
For a beauty boost search for Planet Paleo’s Primal Goddess, an award-winning product to smooth lines, plump skin and improve hair and nail quality, with collagen and other natural skin boosters.
THE TOP 10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN
- Anti-aging – improves skin, hair and nails. A key protein in the body, collagen makes up to 25% of the total protein content in the body. Collagen depletion in the body begins in our 20’s, so consuming gelatin/collagen can make a big difference to skin quality. Break down and loss of collagen is the cause of wrinkles and research confirms that collagen found in gelatin reduces the signs of wrinkles. The beneficial minerals calcium, magnesium and phosphorus found in gelatin helps build strong nails and hair
- Stomach ulcers – Bone broth or gelatin helps heal the stomach due to amino acids proline and glycine
- Helps leaky gut and colitis – gelatin has been found to heal the gut lining and improve inflammatory gut issues
- Improves liver detoxification – without enough glycine, the essential amino acid in gelatin the body cannot produce enough glutathione, essential for phase II liver detoxification
- Helps arthritis – Collagen contains chondroitin, a supplement often used to support joints, tendons and cartilage. Using gelatin or collagen may dramatically improve degenerate joint conditions
- Allergies – many health experts believe allergies are rooted in having a permeable intestinal lining (leaky gut) which allows pathogens in. Healing the gut should reduce allergies
- Inflammation – Gelatin has a very unique non-inflammatory amino acid profile. It consist of glycine, glutamic acid, proline and alanine, particularly missing in our western diet, especially when most meals will contain muscle meat rather than that on the bone, making a very hard to digest and break down meal
- Anti-cancer – “It has a wide range of anti-tumour actions, including the inhibition of new blood cell formation (angiogenesis), and it has shown protective activity in liver cancer and melanoma.” Ray Peat
- Anti-stress – The generous supply of glycine in gelatin offers a wonderful anti-stress action and promotes natural sleep. Ideally add 2 teaspoons of prepared gelatin or powdered collagen to hot milk and honey before bed
- Hormone balancing – Excess oestrogen is a common issue coming from environmental pollution, plastics wrapping our consumables, the contraceptive pill and general stress creating a hormonal imbalance. Glycine has been shown to be anti-oestrogenic and helps regulate insulin and prevent hypoglycemia.
