Natural collagen is a protein found in great abundance in the human body. In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein found in humans, comprising up to 35 percent of our total protein content. Collagen is used to create, repair, and strengthen our muscles, skin, tendons, and even our bones. A way of viewing collagen is as a kind of “glue” that bonds our tissue together to keep our bodies strong and healthy.
When it comes to skin, collagen has long been thought of as a miracle ingredient ranging from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to the modern health and beauty market. But how does collagen actually impact our skin? And is it necessary to take collagen as a supplement or merely boost our naturally produced collagen?
Natural Collagen Production in Men
If we only take away one piece of information from this piece, it should be this: a healthy body produces all the collagen you will ever need. The primary takeaway here is that instead of simply taking a collagen supplement, it is more effective to boost your natural levels of collagen production if your collagen levels are low.
Our bodies take amino acids from nutrient-rich foods such as chicken, beef, eggs, fish, and tofu, and turns that dietary protein into collagen. This is one of the primary reasons we talk about how important getting all of the nine (9) essential amino acids is for overall health. Vitamins and minerals such as zinc, copper, and vitamin C also play a role in natural collagen production.
How Collagen Keeps Skin Healthy and Youthful
As we have seen, collagen works to build and protect nearly every part of our bodies. It is perhaps easiest to see the direct impact of collagen on the skin. Because collagen is a protein, its primary functions for skin health is to strengthen skin, make skin more elastic, and even improve skin hydration.
These improvements might not sound super thrilling, but consider that most visible wrinkles and other signs of aging are caused by weak, dry, and inelastic skin. High levels of natural collagen are one of the most effective ways to keep your skin youthful and healthy. Collagen for your skin is much like protein for your muscles. Without it, the fuel for repairing tissue simply isn’t there!
Are Collagen Supplements Good for Men?
Men produce more collagen and have a higher concentration of collagen in their skin. This, and differences in testosterone levels, account for many of the differences between men and women’s skin. Yet many men and women feel that their natural collagen levels are lacking. As we age, our natural collagen levels drop significantly. So, should you start shopping for collagen supplements?
Probably not as a first resort. Let’s look at an analogy to understand why collagen supplementation may help, but it is not the ideal solution.
Bodybuilders eat an obscene amount of food, including unholy amounts of protein. This is due to the fact that they need as many nutrients and proteins as possible to build as much muscle as possible. To supplement what they can reasonably eat in a day, most bodybuilders supplement their diet with protein shakes.
Many men and women just starting at the gym will see this and wrongfully assume that the protein shakes are the secret to building lean muscle mass. What these gym newbies don’t see is the 6-7 meals bodybuilders eat full of lean protein, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates.
When it comes to collage production, supplementation is just that: a supplementary solution. The primary solution should be to take care of your skin with natural hydrating products and to eat a well balanced diet full of protein, minerals, and vitamins. Collagen-boosters include bone broth, meat, nuts, whole grains, and vitamin-rich vegetables.
Essential Amino Acids Boost Natural Collagen in Skin
So far, we have primarily talked about how nutrition can impact collagen production and collagen levels in the skin. But what about our skincare products? Are there any ingredients we can use to boost natural collagen levels? Our moisturizing cream is chock full of amino acids which may boost your skin’s collagen, including:
- L-Lysine: Skin conditioning agent. Involved in cellular and tissue repair. Essential amino acid needed for collagen production.
- L-Threonine: Important for the formation of collagen and elastin.
- Many more: Other amino acids such as proline, arginine, histidine, valine, and many more all provide the structural support and restorative power that dry, cracked, and damaged skin needs!
Collagen Boosting Power from HEFF for Men
HEFF moisturizing cream for hands, elbows and feet has been specifically formulated for working men. Harnessing the power of amino acids, our lotion is ideal for even the most dry, cracked skin. Think of once-daily HEFF as routine maintenance for your body. Shower, shave, apply daily moisturizing cream, and you are all set for a day of hard work or hard play. This powerful formula naturally boosts collagen production and keeps your skin looking and feeling youthful.
For every tube of HEFF sold, we are proud to donate a tube to Operation Gratitude. This is a small way of giving back to the men and women who keep our country safe.
To find HEFF, shop on Amazon, find us at any of these national retailers, or contact us directly for more information today!