Collagen: Why I Use It Daily & 4 of My Favorite Benefits

I am not one to share about supplements and things, but when I find one that REALLY works, I have to tell you about it. I am 38-years old, on my 3rd pregnancy and have had my fair share of health challenges and slip ups. It is always my goal, when faced with physical adversity to find the most natural ways to treat and heal my body and collagen has been one of my favorites on my journey.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and is the building block of bones, skim, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is also found in other body parts like blood vessels, corneas and teeth. It's basically the rubber cement that holds us together.

Collagen is what makes our tissues grow, mature and helps to make our bodies move. In our 20s, we begin to lose collagen because our bodies produce less and less which is the cause behind sagging and wrinkling skin, weakened and stiff joints and thinning hair, so boosting collagen intake, whether in products we use in our skin or through a dietary supplements, helps to ensure we are getting what we need.

Note: There are 4 different types of collagen the bodies needs, so make sure you do some research and are using the collagen that addresses the problem or issue you are trying to fix.

How did I start my collagen journey?

A couple years ago, I got the flu virus. That flu virus ended up causing Pneumonia and Congestive Heart Failure and sending my body into a tailspin. I had suffered from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, growing up, but had been mostly in remission (with no real issues) my entire adult life until I got sick with the flu. After my stay in the hospital, I came home to Reactive Arthritis, and you guys it was awful. I couldn't walk for close to three months. I couldn't use my hands. I was on steroids for 11 months and I felt my physical body drifting away. You can read more about that here.

I wanted so badly to be off of the steroids, walking pain-free and back to optimum health. I did research and talked to friends and heard about Auto-Immune Protocol Diet, bone broth AND collagen, and their ability to heal your body and bring it back to life. I started the AIP diet, and it was too stringent for me, started drinking bone broth, but couldn't stick with that either, but started collagen peptides and kept that up and immediately noticed my skin started to glow, I started sleeping better at night and my bones stopped aching. It was amazing. !

Why should you take collagen?

There are four amazing reasons why I believe you should be taking collagen:

1. It's incredible for skin health and elasticity. As a pregnant woman, all parts of me are growing and stretching and collagen helps to support that morphing and keeping the skin supple. A study showed that woman who drank a beverage mixed with a collagen supplement daily for 12 weeks experienced increased skin hydration and a reduction in wrinkles. I mean, is that not a win?

2. It's great for your ligaments and joints - it keeps them healthy and strong and it helps to maintain your cartilage, which is the rubber-like tissue that protects your joints. It also helps to lower inflammation and reduce pain.

3. It aids in supporting your digestion and protecting your gut lining

4. It promotes heart health. Researchers have suggested that taking collagen supplements may help reduce the risk of heart-related diseases.

Best ways to consume collagen?

There are a number of foods that contain collagen including, connective tissues of animal products like: chicken skin, pork skin, beef, and fish. Foods that have gelatin, like bone broths, and gelatin based products, however there isn't research that supports eating collagen rich foods increases collagen in your body, so supplementing is always a great place to start.

I use Unico's Aquarius Beauty Booster as my collagen supplement of choice because its Gluten-Free, Keto-Friendly and boosted with all of the things I need to keep my skin hydrated and wrinkle-free, like Type 1 & 3 collagen peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E and there are no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, which means it can easily mix right into my ice or hot coffee, tea, smoothie or juice.

Just add 1-2 scoops of Aquarius Collagen Beauty Formula to your favorite drink, stir or shake and you have done something good for your body on a daily!

Head on over to Unico's website and pick up your own collagen and use my code "tash25" for anything you purchase on the site.

Have you ever used collagen? Do you love it? What were your results? What are your collagen questions?

Drop them in the comments and I will do my best to answer. Looking forward to hearing from you! AND YES, it is safe for pregnancy AND nursing.

With strength, courage and wisdom,

Tash