We often hear that we need to supplement with collagen to combat facial wrinkles. When it comes to collagen, you might have some misconceptions. Let's learn about them together! For collagen supplementation, milk, eggs, and kiwis are more reliable than eating pig's trotters.
Whatever protein you eat is broken down into peptides and amino acid fragments by digestive fluids before it can be absorbed by the body. Then, according to the body's needs, these amino acids are resynthesized in the liver into various proteins the body needs. As for whether these are synthesized into collagen and deposited in the skin on your face, it seems to be left to fate. However, one thing is certain: the richer the raw materials you consume for synthesizing collagen, the greater the possibility of its synthesis. Lysine and proline from food, with the help of vitamin C, can easily form the characteristic components of collagen. Therefore, regularly eating foods rich in these two amino acids and vitamin C—such as complete protein foods like milk, eggs, lean meat, and fish, plus vitamin C-rich fruits like kiwis, strawberries, oranges, and cherry tomatoes—is far more reliable than eating pig's trotters, and you don't have to worry about fat and cholesterol.
Collagen does not exist in plants: Drinking tremella soup cannot supplement collagen.
From a nutritional perspective, collagen is not a high-quality protein because it lacks tryptophan, making it an incomplete protein with low bioavailability for the human body. Moreover, this protein only exists in animals and is often bundled with fat and cholesterol, such as in animal skin and bones. This is why bone broth, fish broth, and chicken broth turn gelatinous after standing still; it's because the collagen is hydrolyzed into soluble gelatin during stewing. Although stewed tremella soup can also become gelatinous, that is due to tremella polysaccharides in the tremella, a type of soluble dietary fiber, which has nothing to do with collagen. So don't expect to supplement collagen by drinking tremella soup. However, tremella moistens dryness, and tremella polysaccharides are hydrophilic macromolecules that can keep the intestines moist, which is very helpful for promptly clearing intestinal waste and preventing and relieving constipation. From this perspective, drinking more tremella soup is beneficial for the skin, because when the intestines are clear, the skin can naturally become clearer too.
The surprising truth: "Collagen" in yogurt.
You would never expect to find "collagen" in yogurt, but it's true, especially in those thicker, set-style yogurts. The ingredient list on the packaging usually includes "gelatin" and other gums. Gelatin is a very common natural food additive, mainly used for thickening and shaping. It is a hydrolyzed product of collagen, soluble in water, and commonly used in foods like jelly, yogurt, ice cream, and soft candies. Moreover, gelatin is fat-free and cholesterol-free, high in protein, easily digested and absorbed by the body, and can promote gut microecological health. However, be sure to distinguish between industrial and edible gelatin, and purchase products from reliable major manufacturers.
The truth behind improved skin after collagen supplementation: Beware of artificial estrogen.
Some people say that after taking collagen supplements for a period, their skin and overall condition have indeed improved significantly. The skin becomes more elastic and radiant, and the person's overall state shows a gratifying "reverse aging." But don't be too optimistic. If you only supplement with collagen without fundamentally improving your lifestyle, the appearance of this state is likely because the collagen supplements contain some estrogen components. This is especially true for women over 40, as indiscriminate estrogen intake increases the risk of breast cancer, uterine fibroids, and can even cause a recurrence of previously cured gynecological diseases. There are also reports that excessive collagen supplementation can increase the risk of kidney stones.
Adequate collagen is a necessary but not sufficient condition for good skin.
To maintain good skin condition, many factors are involved. Besides having sufficient collagen to keep skin cells plump, you must have good blood circulation to ensure oxygen and nutrients reach skin cells and metabolic waste is expelled smoothly, in order to have a healthy complexion. You also need sufficient vitamins A, E, and B-complex vitamins to keep the skin surface smooth and moisturized, free from roughness, dryness, and acne. You also need adequate zinc to ensure skin cells accurately generate new skin cells. Of course, essential fatty acids cannot be lacking, as they are a component of skin cell membranes. High-quality protein and carbohydrates are also necessary materials for building skin cells. Furthermore, the condition of your skin is closely related to many other factors, such as genetics, sleep, stress, and hormones, and is not determined by collagen alone.