Collagen - essential to your health

You’ve heard it said by health experts, beauty gurus, and possibly even your best friend. Collagen is the new buzzword on everyone’s lips, and it can now be found in just about everything — from creams and cosmetics, to powders and pills. And the truth is, this may be one instance where the hype is actually warranted. As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is available in your muscles, skin, blood, bones, cartilage, and ligaments. You may want to consider squeezing in an extra serving of this vital protein for several reasons, as collagen is a building block that:

• promotes skin elasticity
• holds together your bones and muscles
• protects your organs
• provides structure to joints and tendons

The good news is that your body produces collagen on a regular basis. But, it does slow down with age. Other lifestyle habits that can bring collagen production to a screeching halt include smoking, sun exposure, and an unhealthy diet. Some health conditions may also deplete your collagen storage. And without this important building block, you may start to see wrinkles and sagging skin, or even experience joint pain.