As the famous saying goes, “You are what you eat.”
Nutrition plays an important role in keeping our bodies healthy and skin glowing. However, the use of oral collagen and hyaluronan (HA) supplementation still remains controversial due to the lack of regulation on the quality and quantity of ingredients in over-the-counter beauty supplements.
While specific collagen and HA supplements have been shown in some studies to improve skin hydration and reduce fine lines, not all over-the-counter beauty supplements are created equal. Hence, you might want to be fussy when it comes to formulation. For example, a collagen supplement or drink containing collagen peptides (which are small fragments of protein that are easier to absorb) and at a sufficient dose might work better. Ask for clinical studies that show the benefits of that particular product you are interested in.
Read the label to see where the collagen or HA comes from. For example, if you’re vegetarian, you may want to avoid collagen that comes from a bovine (beef) source or hyaluron derived from a cock’s comb.
Also bear in mind that like all other proteins, collagen is made up of individual amino acids. Whether you consume collagen or any other protein from a regular food source or an expensive supplement, your body breaks it down into its individual amino acids before they are absorbed into your circulation. Once in circulation, these amino acids are available to any of the tissues or cells of the body that need them.
Unfortunately, there is no way whatsoever to precisely direct the individual amino acids specifically to the skin. The same story goes for HA polysaccharide as well. Some argue for oral collagen supplements to ensure the body gets quality nutrients in the typical modern-day diet that is more deli-to-mouth, rather than farm-to-table. But excess nutrition is not a good thing either.
Perhaps, a safe and simple way to start eating for youthful skin (and healthier body) is to include a variety of vitamin C-rich fresh foods in your diet, such as citrus fruits, red and yellow peppers, kiwi, guava, etc. that help support collagen production. Bone broths, tremella (snow fungus) and sweet potato are some HA-rich foods that you may already have in your kitchen to incorporate as part of your regular meals. Ensure you get your daily dose of beauty sleep and water. Skip the collagen-culling sugar and cigarettes. Don’t forget your daily sunscreen, and all the best!
Also read my guide on anti ageing treatments in Singapore.
