Best Health – August-September 2019

best health AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 79

WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO

sip an elixir of youth? Collagen, a

protein that is crucial for healthy,

bouncy skin, has become the latest

buzzword, appearing on edible

products with the promise of

working from the inside out to ben-

efit skin, hair and nails. Options

range from quick-hit chewables to

booster-style shots to powder

versions that can be used in a

multitude of dietary ways.

“I recommend collagen to some

of my clients,” says Frances

Allen, a certified holistic nutri-

tionist and skin therapist at

Province Apothecary in Toronto.

“It’s a great way to heal the gut

lining and boost protein intake

for those who aren’t getting

enough. It’s a helpful supplement

for people who suffer from more

severe skin and digestive issues,

and it can also be great for those

who are looking to balance their

blood sugar.”

When choosing a product, scan

the label for “hydrolyzed collagen”

or collagen “peptides,” which

means that the amino acids have

already been broken down into

smaller pieces that your body can

easily absorb, says Allen. With

quality levels of the animal-based

supplement varying, she looks for

bovine collagen that’s pasture-

raised or grass-fed to avoid

hormones, pesticides and heavy

metals. When considering

marine-based collagen, choose

wild or organic sources, she says.

An unf lavoured powder version,

free of additives and artificial

colours, is Allen’s preference. “It’s

easy to use and versatile,” she

says. “You can add a scoop to

coffee, smoothies or oatmeal. To

there isn’t a lot of evidence-based

medicine that shows that ingest-

ible collagen is effective,”

explains Dr. Kellett. “The way we

are meant to regenerate tissue in

terms of the skin’s building

blocks, such as collagen, elastin

and hyaluronic acid, is through

food. Diet trumps everything.”

Keep antioxidant-rich dark and

leafy greens (such as spinach),

brightly coloured vegetables

(such as red and yellow peppers)

and dark-coloured berries in

mind and on your plate.

With no taste or odour,

this collagen powder is

made from pasture-

raised, grass-fed cattle

that’s hormone-free

and non GMO.

GENUINE HEALTH

BOVINE CLEAN

COLLAGEN IN

UNFLAVOURED, $40

This blend of marine

collagen, minerals and

vitamins is designed to

aid skin regeneration

and hydration.

GOLD COLLAGEN, $64/10

PACK OF 5 0ML

Vitamins C and E join

hydrolyzed collagen in a

citrus-flavoured daily dose.

NATURE’S BOUNTY HAIR, SKIN

& NAILS GUMMIES, $19

BESTIE

improve absorption, include

vitamin C with your supplement.

Adding fresh fruits and veggies to

your smoothie or breakfast helps.”

BEAUTY BOTTOM LINE

If you’re considering ingestible

collagen, approach it as a side

dish, not an entrée. “It is

intended as a supplement and

should be included in a balanced

diet, with lots of fresh whole

foods,” says Allen.

Food is what yields the greatest

reward, says Dr. Kellett. “I think