Something I’ve added to my routine for quite some time now is a serving of grass fed collagen peptides in my first daily ration of water (usually 1L) in the morning. If it’s not in my water it’s in a nutrient dense shake I also take daily. After carrying heavier babies in both of my pregnancies I noticed a huge difference in joint pain after my second. I gained over 50 pounds with both of my little BIG babes, and I am only 5’2! That’s a lot of extra weight to add to a body with a smaller build in such a short amount of time. I also swim in the shallow end of the gene pool when it comes to thick and luscious hair; I’ve been thinning since I was 16. When it came to anticipating the hair-loss time period in my postpartum healing process I was terrified i’d be bald by the time my youngest had his first birthday. Since taking collagen, I’ve experienced hair growth in sections that haven’t grown hair in years, yes I said YEARS! Call it what you want, I’m going to call it magic.
So what is collagen exactly?
Collagen is the most bountiful form of protein that is created naturally by our bodies and known to be the glue that holds our bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments together. Collagen peptides are naturally extracted from organically raised and grass fed proteins.
What are some other health benefits? *
- Helps treat and prevent heart disease
- Improves skin elasticity as well as nail health
- Heals leaky gut syndrome
- Helps build muscle and burns fat
- Increases athletic performance
- Improves sleep
- Promotes healthy hair growth
After I realized just how extensive the benefits could be for my overall health I had no choice but include collagen peptides regularly! At first it was specifically to ease my on going joint pain. What I learned is that as we age our bodies start to naturally create less and less collagen, hence all of the common side effects that come with getting older! Truthfully, we can all benefit from taking collagen peptides as it’s easily absorbed by our bodies, it’s safe and natural, and cold water soluble.
There are two things of value that I took away from this supplement.
One, is wishing I had known about collagen peptides while I was pregnant. First of all, YES it’s 100% safe to take while your pregnant and while your breastfeeding because of the fact that its a natural protein already found in our bodies. I battled vastly with the massive stretch marks I gained from both my pregnancies despite all the preventative measures I took. Had I known about collagen and the wondrous benefits it withheld for my skin, my fate might have not been as totally sealed. Not to mention the positive impact from taking it on a regular basis would have given my now sore and achy joints the support they needed through my rapid weight gain.
Two, is the beneficial impact it can have on your mental health. If you too are struggling with anxiety or depression one of the main causes could be in your gut. Our gut has a direct line of communication to our brain. If you have a gut imbalance, if your gut lining is damaged or inflamed you could find yourself with symptoms of brain fog, anxiety, stress and depression. If you want to help heal your brain; heal your gut. This is where collagen comes in! Collagen will help you absorb nutrients properly, the amino acid called “glycine” that collagen contains can help prevent inflammation in your gut (who doesn’t want that?) and lastly collagen is also known to keep your intestine healthy and in great shape.
Do you take collagen peptides? If so, are you satisfied with the results you see and feel?
Do you have any questions about collagen? I’d love to hear them!