This post on collagen and detoxification is proudly sponsored by Vital Proteins. The best place to get pure and natural collagen to enhance your body.
There is a lot of hype around detox diets and cleanses. While the stigma holds out that most detox for a quick weight loss scheme, I think it is due time we talk about how detoxing is so much more than that. In fact, it is essential and critical that our body detoxify itself daily.
The good news is we have plenty of mechanisms to help us do this. The bad news is the “traditional” lifestyle can slow this process down, making our body slow, sluggish and even clogged.
Today we are going to learn about one powerful supplement that not only enhances your liver health, encouraging natural detoxification, but this supplement also is a foundation in keeping your body youthful, strong, vibrant and healthy. Today we’re breaking down collagen and detoxification.
In addition to this, on the podcast, we break down five additional ways to enhance your detox today. The better news, there is no tricks, gimmicks or crazy potions you need to do this. Just real food, simple lifestyle changes and the right mindset. Learn about these five ways to detox on this week’s podcast below.
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the vital nutrient we need
If we dig a little deeper into natural detoxification we can find that many people’s bodies are unable to detoxify properly simply due to malnutrition. This causes a deficiency in the right nutrient profile and support needed for your body to properly function.
Today we are going to look at the vital nutrient we need for proper liver health {which means proper metabolism and detoxification} and just overall good health that many of us aren’t getting. I’m talking about collagen. Something we’ve all heard but probably rarely use. Hopefully, we can change that today and allow you to see just how important and powerful this one supplement can be in your diet.
what is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. While there are different types of collagen, type 1 is the most abundant. Collagen is found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, our digestive system, and tendons. Collagen is also what helps keep our skin strong and elastic. Yes, this is what some consider the nutrient that is the fountain of youth.
This is also why we wrinkle, get thinning skin as we age, our body’s natural collagen production begins to slow. Age isn’t the only factor slowing down our collagen production, a high-sugar, high-processed diet, smoking and excessive sun exposure can all deplete collagen in our bodies as well.
In previous days our diets used to be filled with more collagen-rich food sources. The days when we used to buy meat with bones attached and simmering soups for hours using bones as flavor. Collagen used to be a staple in a persons diet out of necessity and the prevention of waste. Yet convenience has slowed that down.
The good news is there are simple, easy and delicious ways to add collagen back into your diet. Trust me when I say it is going to be vital to do so for many processes.
the benefits of collagen
The list of benefits collagen provides in the body seems to be growing every day. Let’s look at 12 and go in-depth with one.
- Help reduce wrinkles and improve skin conditions.
- Supports the re-growth of joint tissue and help relieve joint pain.
- Helps prevent bone loss.
- Help reduce cellulite and prevent stretch marks.
- Help you lose weight.
- Repair your GI tract and regulate a healthy microbiome.
- Enhance healthy hair growth.
- Helps support healthy teeth and gums.
- Balance your hormones.
- Protects cardiovascular health.
- Alleviate anxiety.
- Improve liver health.
We’re going to break down the benefits of collagen and liver health as it relates to detoxification in a minute, but for now, can we step back and soak in that list. You can start to see the magnitude of what collagen does in the body. I’ll repeat, it is an essential nutrient and one almost all of us struggle to get on a daily basis without supplementation or {for lack of better words} trying.
the nutrients
Collagen is considered a “superior” protein source. Even more so than the multitude of protein powders you may have tried and rely on. Just one reason alone is that collagen is non-allergenic compared to whey and soy-based protein powders. Not to mention collagen is a “complex protein.”
I know the word “complex” sounds overwhelming but in this case, it is a good thing. Complex simply meaning it has a vast array of different amino acids, 19 to be exact. These include a healthy mix of essential and nonessential types with the two being proline and glycine both of which are not abundant in animal meats.
the quick science lesson
Bare with me on this. I think knowledge can be important in the right doses. So hang tight as I quickly break down the four main amino acids found in collagen and why you should care, because this is the part that makes it or breaks it for you.
1} Proline
Proline plays a major role in ensuring your body is running smoothly {insert detoxification and communication}. It helps protect the integrity of your blood vessels, improve joint health and has various cardiovascular benefits.
2} Glycine
Glycine makes up around 1/3 of the protein found in collagen and has some substantial effects in the body. It builds healthy DNA strands {<-HELLO healthy cells} and forms creatine which promotes muscle growth and boosts energy. The big deal with glycine is that it is a precursor to glutathione. Glutathione is responsible for effective and reliable detoxification through the liver detox pathways.
3} Glutamine
Glutamine is notably considered to be one of the most important and abundant amino acids in the body. It has benefited from improving our digestive system, improving immunity, and increasing energy. Not to mention it helps prevent anxiety, tension, sleep disorders and improves concentration. It is an amino acid that has been shown to create an inner calm and tranquil feelings.
4} Arginine
Arginine works to break down nitric oxide in the body, which is an important compound for heart health. This has been shown to improve circulation, help strengthen the immune system and has a positive influence on male libido.
interesting fact
An imbalance in amino acids in the body can lead to excess inflammation. With collagen having a vast array of amino acids it can work to balance these in the body reducing inflammation.
Here is an example:
The typical “Western-Diet” eater tends to consume higher amounts of muscle meats {beef, chicken, pork, lamb and turkey} which when not in balance by other proteins {eggs, fish, shellfish, organ meats and collagen} can contribute to inflammation.
It’s all about that balance.
collagen and detoxification
When we talk about collagen’s specific benefit on detoxification, it boils down to the health of the liver. For many of us, we have a low-nutrient and yet high-stress lifestyle. This taxes the liver {our main metabolic hub of the body}.
Given that all detoxification happens in the liver, it is essential that we have the right nutrient profile to enhance the phases of this process.
One of the biggest contributing factors is glycine. Something many of us are deficient in and yet is in abundance in collagen. Glycine specifically helps fuel phase 2 detoxification which essential is the process that helps your body “take out the trash.”
Basically, this nutrient helps to neutralize the toxins in our body allowing safety in dumping them.
my story with collagen
I can speak personally for the great benefit collagen has had in my own health journey. From someone who struggles with low immunity, low white blood cell count, poor energy and really bad lymphatic flow, collagen has been able to help in all of those areas.
I specify that I have noticed a tremendous difference in bloating and swelling that I’ve struggled with for years. Not to mention it gives me more energy and satisfies my endless drive to eat.
how to get it
Again, collagen is often found in the bones and cartilage of the animal. A good source of bone broth is a great way to get it, but now that powdered collagen is available you can more readily get it in your diet.
You can add it to smoothies, homemade puddings, sauces, and salad dressings. You could take it simply in water or put it in your morning golden milk latte.
But beware, not all collagen is created equal. Just like humans animals that have high toxicity and bad modes of detoxification due to the diets and lifestyles they have will not have the correct source of protein we are looking to achieve.
Make sure you purchase only high quality, grass-fed collagen products. If you find the right one, collagen is nearly tasteless. You can learn so much more about collagen in this amazing and very thorough post.
the brand I use
The brand I recommend, through many different trials, is Vital Protein. They are a company on a mission to provide the best sourced and highest-nutritional profile collagen on the market. I’ve tried and used a number of their products and honestly wouldn’t recommend another collagen supplement source.
I can assure you will notice a difference in your health, energy levels {<-YES PLEASE} and overall mood. They don’t call themselves Vital Proteins for anything! These literally are vital to the health of our body and to our natural {and critical} detoxification pathways.
I use this daily in my beverages and started using their Beauty Waters, but they also have a marine collagen, veggie blend and powdered bone broth to make this all easy and convenient.
take note
Just to note, if you are suffering from poor digestion you’re going to want to start slow with collagen and maybe even begin with bone broth. From there you can slowly start adding it to your diet and work yourself up to the full serving on a daily basis if not multiple times a day.
The collagen will slowly start to heal your digestive system and soon enough you’ll be feeling better all over!
