HOT INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT–COLLAGEN

JUST MY TYPE

Get in on one of today’s hottest age-defying secrets—how Types 1 and 3 collagen let you have younger-looking skin, less creaky joints, and more

Fuller, thicker hair? Smoother, firmer skin? Pain-free joints? Stronger nails? More energy? These tantalizing health claims seem almost too good to be true, but they’re what you are most likely to hear from someone using Types 1 and 3 collagen. “I have been taking [Types 1 and 3 collagen] for over a year and noticed that the small wrinkles on my cheeks are almost gone. And I’m not 50 or 60 years old—I’m 82 and look 20 years younger,” says one online reviewer. Another impressive online comment: “I have been using [Types 1 and 3 collagen] for the past three months. My doctor told me that I have osteoarthritis in my knees and lower back. But today, I would not know it. No more popcorn noise when walking up stairs, no more knee pain waking me up at night. My skin even looks plumper.

So What Exactly Are Types 1 and 3 Collagen?

The Basics: Collagen is a structural protein that’s found throughout different parts of the body, including the bones, skin, and intestinal walls. It’s essential for healthy joints, and it provides cartilage with strength and creates a framework that houses the other components of cartilage.

While there are many different types of collagen, Types 1, 2, and 3 are thought to comprise the majority of the body’s collagen. Of the three, Type 1 is considered by experts to be the most abundant in the body.

Starting at around age 25, your levels of collagen begin to decline and continue to drop as you age. This results in those unmistakable signs of aging—wrinkles, loose, flabby skin, arthritis, etc.

How Supplements Help: Although maintaining a natural skin-care routine and eating a healthy diet can help stave off premature aging, it’s hard to give your skin all that it needs through these two strategies alone. But adding a supplement with Types 1 and 3 collagen can bring your skin to a whole new level, not mention ease joint pain and plump up your hair. In fact, some research shows that supplementing with Types 1 and 3 collagen not only slows the loss of collagen in the skin, but it also improves existing collagen. This means you are likely to notice fewer wrinkles and less sagging in your skin. Collagen supplements are also known to alleviate dry skin and oxidative stress, which can make you look older before your time.

Most supplements with Types 1 and 3 collagen use animal-sourced hydrolyzed collagen; the process of hydrolyzing collagen allows for easier absorption.

Eat Up: Collagen-Boosting Foods

• Berries

• Cabbage

• Celery

• Citrus fruits

• Cucumber

• Dark green vegetables

• Garlic

• Green beans

• Olives

• Red, lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables (lycopene helps encourage collagen production)

• Egg whites and other protein-rich foods

• Fish

• Oysters

• Soy

• Turkey

• Flax seeds

• Walnuts

• White Tea

Did You Know? 6 Facts About Collagen

Most gelatin sold in the U.S. is made from Type 1 collagen.

It’s common for women to consume bone broth daily in China for its high collagen content.

Hyaluronic acid helps stimulate your body’s production of collagen, and vitamin C is needed for the healthy formation of collagen. Both are often added to collagen formulas for these reasons.

Silicon and biotin are both thought to help spur the body’s production of collagen and can
be taken along with Types 1 and 3 collagen.

Anecdotal reports support the use of Types 1 and 3 collagen supplements for reducing the appearance of scars.

Collagen helps promote strong blood vessels and overall cardiovascular health. According to the late scientist Linus Pauling, a deficiency of vitamin C guarantees a collagen deficiency: without adequate vitamin C, collagen formation is obstructed. In terms of heart disease, inadequate vitamin C status—and therefore, insufficient collagen as well—can cause blood vessels to fall apart and become bruised, leading to hemorrhage.

EDITORS’ PRODUCT PICKS

NEOCELLBeauty Bursts Collagen (shown here in Super Fruit Punch flavor)

RESERVEAGE NUTRITIONCollagen Replenish Powder 

YOUTHEORYMen’s Collagen