Bianca:  "Hi Maria! What have you been up to?"

Me:  "Hello Bianca. Coming to your spa has always been my “me” time. I have come for my regular facial.  Do you have time for me?"

Bianca:  Now is a good time. And while you’re doing the treatment, I can share with you what’s new in health and beauty.

Me:  I would love that.  But you know that my health and fitness regimen is way basic. You know us, working girls. We don’t have time for beauty rituals plus I cannot afford expensive beauty treatments.

 Bianca:  I assure you, this new “treatment” is healthy, natural, and can easily blend into your daily activities. And it was not expensive too.

 Me: Now, I’m hooked. Please tell me all about it.

 Bianca:  Have you heard about collagen?

Me: Yes, the girls at the office just talked about it the other day. Is it some vitamins that are trending these days?

Bianca:  Well, yes, collagen supplements are on the market right now. But first off, collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body.  It is found in our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It helps to strengthen and repair these tissues and provides structure and support. And you girls will be happy to know that collagen has been linked with reducing wrinkles and fine lines, as well as improving skin elasticity, hydration, and firmness.

 Me:  Collagen is not just a beauty fad after all. It’s a vital part of being healthy. But it seems that collagen is naturally occurring in the body.

Bianca: It’s true that our body naturally produces collagen. However, our body produces lesser collagen as we reach the age of 30. Experts say around 1-2% per year.  

 Me: What will happen to my skin if I don’t have enough collagen in my body? 

Bianca:  One of the most noticeable signs of collagen skin aging is wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen helps to keep our skin firm and elastic.  As we age, collagen production begins to decrease and the skin is not able to hold on to the moisture thus leading to dry, dull, and sagging skin.  Without enough collagen, the skin is unable to maintain its natural barrier against damage caused by the sun, pollution, and harsh skin products and treatments.

Me:  Does collagen benefit other parts of our body aside from the skin?

 Bianca:  Oh yes. Aside from the skin, nails and hair health are also dependent on collagen to stay strong and healthy. Collagen also contributes to gut health and stronger bone joints.   

Me:  I first thought the collagen is just for anti-aging. How does it support bone health?

 Bianca: Collage contains collagen peptides that are often used as a supplement to support joint health. They are also used to impro athletic performance and recovery, as well as reduce inflammation.

Me: What can we do to boost collagen in our body?

Bianca:  We can eat food that is rich in collagen such as bone broth. Sadly, we cannot eat collagen-rich food all the time, so we can take collagen supplements, instead.  We should also protect our skin from the sun and drink a lot of water.

Me: That’s easy. It’s the kind of beauty routine that I can do.

Bianca: Yes, especially since some collagen supplements come in powder form that you can just easily mix with your favorite drinks before going to work. Aside from anti-aging, collagen protein powder is also great for sports recovery. It helps in strength recovery, so it is vital for workout.

Me:  I also heard my officemates talking about multi-collagen. Can you tell me more about it?

 Bianca:  Multi-collagen is a type of supplement that contains multiple types of collagen, usually sourced from a variety of animals. Many collagen brands in the market are already multi-collagen so you only need to take one or two supplements at the same time.