How To Use Collagen To Fight Inflammation 

Inflammation is caused by a variety of factors, including less-than-ideal diets, stress, and environmental forces like pollution.

When inflammation isn't managed and becomes chronic, it wreaks havoc on the body, both inside and out, often making you feel and look tired and “washed out".

The good news: You can reverse it, and it starts with what you put into your body.

Collagen's anti-inflammatory powers come from the role that it plays in our gut health.* A healthy gut can reduce inflammation throughout the whole body.

Poor gut health, on the other hand, leads to stomach lining permeability where particles can leak into the rest of the body, which then triggers inflammation in the body.

Collagen has been shown to support the gut's lining1, as well as contain key amino acids for gut health.*

It contains glycine, an amino acid with proven anti-inflammatory and immune system-supporting effects2.

Additionally, glutamine3, one of collagen's other amino acids, is key for managing inflammation and inhibiting oxidative stress of the intestines.

The supplement's ability to help promote balance in our digestive tract makes it vital to manage inflammation.*

Collagen doesn't just help inflammation, of course. It's one of the most abundant proteins in the body, and plays an essential role in supporting your overall health.

Collagen supplements make it easy to include in your daily meal routine.

For example, many powdered collagen options are flavorless, so you can mix it into your food and beverages.

It blends seamlessly into smoothies, coffees, and plenty of other meals or snacks (see seven recipes that include collagen powder, here).

With a high-quality supplement, the taste and textural difference is not noticeable, and the benefits are out of this world.*

Collagen exists in the body in connective tissue, cartilage, and bones. One way to access this wonderful protein is through bone broth.

Bone broth is like soup stock, only it's cooked for a much longer time. This helps to pull the nutrients and collagen from the bones, cartilage, and joints.

You can make your own bone broth, or you can buy it premade. If you opt for the premade variety, make sure to buy only organic, grass-fed products.

Canned fish might seem like a surprising place to find the health-boosting (and face-saving) benefits of collagen, but sardines pack a solid punch6 on the collagen front since they are packaged with their bones and connective tissue included. (Don't worry, they're so soft that you won't even notice them!)

You can use them as a pizza topping, chop them up finely and put them in salads or on toast, or, simply eat them as an on-the-go snack.

The best way to get collagen is through grass-fed bovine, as it contains both type I and III collagen, which are essential for full-body support.*

Adding collagen to your daily diet is one of the best things you can do to help your body fight inflammation.

If you're just starting to supplement with collagen, make sure to allow enough time for its effects to show up.*

It may take up to eight weeks before you notice it's effects on inflammation, visible changes in skin texture, and support in joint health.*