How regular collagen intake will help you feel good every month
In the month when we turn our attention and bring more clarity around a truly common condition - endometriosis, we will tell you how regular collagen intake takes care of women's health in several aspects. This is also the beginning of a series of articles we have prepared for you during Endometriosis Awareness Month - because we believe that the first step towards optimal women's health is awareness and sharing. The next one is quality, regular care for yourself.
Collagen and hormonal balance
Many of the health issues women face, not only during menstruation, stem from a hormonal imbalance - problematic skin, an irregular and painful cycle, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, vaginal dryness and many others. Hormone problems also affect collagen synthesis - some of the female hormones interfere with it in a way that causes it to break down even faster, and it is sometimes difficult to identify that the problem stems from exactly this.*
*We advise you to have regular preventive check-ups with your gynecologist, because this is the way to periodically know what state of health you are in, to monitor your hormones and to be able to take the right actions, should that be necessary.
The rich amino acid composition of collagen covers a wide range of applications, including compensating for the loss caused by hormonal imbalance. And here is how.
1. Collagen is directly linked to the way estrogen works
Estrogen is a female hormone synthesized in the ovaries, the adrenal gland and adipose tissue. When estrogen levels are low or unstable, this affects the menstrual cycle, the cardiovascular system, the skin, hydration and collagen production. Correspondingly, when regulation is optimal, the hormone activates specific receptors in the skin and connective tissue, which stimulate the synthesis of type I collagen and type III collagen.
A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science, shows how collagen levels in menopausal women drop by up to 30% within the first five years after the decline in estrogen. Therefore, additional collagen intake can not only improve the condition of our outward appearance, but can also compensate for the loss of the protein caused by hormonal imbalance. From there, conditions such as vaginal dryness, hormonal skin problems and an irregular cycle can start to return to their normal rhythm.
2. It takes care of cortisol
Known as the "stress hormone" - cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland in response to physical or mental stress. Excessively high cortisol levels negatively affect multiple groups of organs and systems and cause problems such as high blood pressure, accumulation of fatty tissue around the abdomen, loss of muscle mass, deterioration of the skin barrier, as well as the breakdown of collagen.
And here is how adding hydrolyzed collagen to your routine will regulate cortisol levels - this happens mainly through the amino acid glycine, as it supports the body's response when intense stress occurs. Glycine is also the amino acid with the richest presence in Hydrolyzed Collagen RealFood.
Here is what else it does:
- The glycine in collagen suppresses cortisol overproduction;
- The amino acid calms the nervous system;
- Improves sleep quality;
- Increases resilience to future stress.
Collagen and menopause
A natural period in the life of every woman - this is menopause. It comes with hormonal changes, which can affect health in various ways. Menopause can be a significant source of stress for the female body and can affect emotional well-being, self-esteem and even physical health - which is exactly why it is important for a woman to support her body during this important, transitional time.
1. Collagen supports bone structure
A key sign that menopause has begun - this is the gradual loss of bone density and the change in the structure of certain bones. Because of the sharp declines in estrogen levels, women face a significantly higher risk of osteoporosis compared to men.
Numerous studies in recent years have sought to demonstrate the link between collagen and improved bone density, and correspondingly the condition of women in the early stage of menopause. In one of them, from 2018, truly positive results are reported in this area - after the 102 postmenopausal women tested (the fourth stage of the menopausal transition, which begins on the day after menopause sets in), it becomes clear that in the group tested with daily collagen intake, a favorable change in bone markers and an improvement in bone density are observed. Separately, the breakdown of bone mass is also reduced, which also serves as additional prevention against the first symptoms of this natural period in every woman's life.
What to remember:
In a woman's daily life, changes related to the specifics of the body are constantly taking place, and that is why it is important to take daily care of our one and only permanent home - our body. And here is how regular collagen intake will improve some of the processes in yours:
- It will regulate estrogen and cortisol levels;
- It will improve your bone density and reduce future bone loss;
- It will reduce vaginal dryness;
- It will take care of your skin's density and hydration;
- It will strengthen your hair and nails.
