Can Collagen Protein Protect the Brain Against Alzheimer’s?

Photo: plasma lamp, source Wikimedia Commons

Collagen Protein — 

Does it Protect the Brain Against Alzheimer’s?

We’ve long promoted collagen protein as perhaps the best protein powder supplement you can buy.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the human body’s most abundant protein, comprising 30 to 35% of total protein. Collagen contains glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, the three amino acids the body uses to manufacture its own collagen.

Collagen is found in every tissue – it’s in the connective tissue in our eyes, skin, hair, nails, bones, lungs, heart, and liver.

Not surprising, then, that it’s often called the glue that holds our bodies together.

Now here’s a surprise: recent studies suggest that collagen may help protect the brain against Alzheimer’s. 

Drs. Marcel & Connie Hernandez, ND
Drs. Marcel & Connie Hernandez, ND

One of the best natural sources of collagen is bone broth. One of the easiest ways we’ve found to make sure you’re getting enough collagen, without time-consuming preparation, is Bulletproof™ Collagen protein. And because it’s flavorless and blends without clumps, it’s one of the simplest ways to add a protein boost to soups and smoothies.

What exactly does collagen do?

  1. Collagen promotes smoother, more hydrated skin.

Skin and connective tissue contain special cells called fibroblasts that manufacture collagen. They can only crank out collagen as long as they have plenty of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. The best way to supply the fibroblast factories with those amino acids is with hydrolyzed collagen, which has been broken down to make it more bioavailable.

Hydrolyzed collagen:

  • Improves skin elasticity.
  • Decreases skin cracking.
  • Helps smooth out wrinkles.
  • Increases fibroblast density, a marker of healthy, elastic skin.
  • Increases skin moisture.

2. Collagen promotes stronger joints.

Collagen can strengthen the joints, increasing their resilience. Several studies indicate that taking hydrolyzed collagen decreases joint pain after exercise, and makes the joints more flexible.

Collagen is a great hack for endurance athletes, especially if the preferred exercise is tough on joints – not surprisingly, distance running is the worst offender. But most sports take a toll on joints, as does heavy lifting at the gym.

3. Collage promotes faster recovery

Collagen is the primary protein that helps build everything from connective tissue in the skin, to the tendons that attach muscles to bones.

Here’s how it works:

  • Collagen forms a flexible matrix layer to cover new tissue, while still allowing the tissue to move – it forms a sort of scaffold that holds the tissue together while other cells rebuild.
  • It helps keep tissue clean.
  • It can assimilate with surrounding tissues, helping to bring tissue fragments together.

Our collagen needs rise whenever tissues are injured. If you’re recovering from tissue stress after hard exercise or an injury, try taking 10g of collagen or Collagelatin™ 2-3 times per day.

Bulletproof™ Collagen protein is available in our office for $40.00. Give us a call at 650-961-1660 for more information.