LibbyCollagen has been beauty’s buzzword for the past few years, and it deserves all the glory. Garden of Life‘s formula of grass-fed collagen supports the growth and nourishment of your hair, skin and nails so vanity- check! But a deeper look under the hood reveals a potent blend that also boltsers your joints and immune health.
We spoke with Mariann Rutledge, Holistic Nutritionist, CNP, Product Specialist at Garden of Life Canada about adding collagen to your daily regimen and how collagen can support your overall immune health.
Libby Roach– From cosmetic benefits for the skin, eyes and hair to supporting tissue regeneration and cardiac applications, is collagen the missing link that can bolster all over health?
Mariann Rutledge– Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Almost 60% of all the proteins that make up who you are, are collagen proteins. Collagen builds structures— you need these amino acids to build and maintain your collagenous fibres that make up everything from your hair, to your toe nails and everything in between. It’s great for skin elasticity, strong healthy hair and nails, joints and mobility, immunity and gut health!
LR– There is a myriad of collagen products and supplements on the market- from capsules and pills, to effervescent tablets to more traditional powder forms. What is the difference, and which one works best?
MR– Anything in a powder or liquid form will generally be the best absorbed and utilized by the body. There is also only so much you can pack into a single tablet or pill. Using a powder form allows you to get a much higher dose— think grams here versus milligrams. You would need numerous capsules/pills to be equivalent. You also want to look at the additive ingredients that could be lurking in a tablet, pill or effervescent tablet, it might surprise you.
LR– What are the health and safety considerations- can you take too much collagen?
MR– A high-quality collagen supplement is generally a very safe product to consume. If you think about it, it’s a food. I would, however, advise individuals to follow the guidelines on the product label for dosing unless you have spoken with a health practitioner.
LR– The Garden of Life collection includes the Turmeric formulated Collagen powder- what does turmeric bring to the formula?
MR– There are so many wonderful health benefits turmeric offers — it contains a very powerful polyphenol, curcumin, which is a very potent antioxidant that supports healthy inflammatory pathways. It’s amazing for supporting joints, mobility and brain health among its many other benefits. And unlike an NSAID, aspirin, or ibuprofen, it doesn’t affect the stomach lining, so it is safe to take daily and reap the benefits.
LR– Can you provide any best-tips for taking collagen? For example- always on a full or empty stomach, before bedtime, with fats, etc…
MR– You can take collagen at any time of the day but for the most optimal absorption, it is best taken on an empty stomach. Many individuals like to consume it before bed as collagen contains high amounts of the amino acid glycine. Glycine has a calming effect on the brain which can help support relaxation and promote a better quality sleep.
Garden of Life has concocted a recipe to make your own collagen-rich gummies- a nifty way to get your daily dose!
1 cup of pear juice ■ 1 tbsp of honey ■ 2 tbsp Grass-fed collagen ■ 1 scoop Garden of Life multi-sourced Turmeric Collagen
In a medium bowl whisk collagen with pear juice until smooth. Pop into a pot over medium-high heat and stir until the liquid starts to steam, but not boil. Add gelatin and honey and stir, stir, stir! Remove from heat and pour liquid into the gummy molds. Place in fridge for 30 mins or longer. Pop out and keep sealed in the fridge for up to two weeks.
All photos by Libby Roach.