Glycine

How often do we think about the health of our brain? Do we have the potential to think more clearly and improve our memory? What can we do to help prevent age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia? There is so much we can do to keep our brain healthy and being ‘mindful’ now will help us out in our later stages of life. There are many avenues in which you can help support your overall cognition: Exercise your brain   Yes, you can exercise your brain! When you do this, you challenge it to make new connections and strengthen old connections. There are some simple activities you can do to exercise your brain and keep it sharp and healthy. Reading, doing word puzzles and crosswords are great exercises for your brain. You can also try using your non dominant hand to write with or perform everyday tasks, such as moving your mouse on your computer. These are simple yet effective exercises for your thinker! If exercised consistently, it can have a profound effect on the health of your brain. Supplementation When it comes to the health of our brain, Lion's mane is great for cognitive support. Lion's mane is known is a nootropic, which is a substance that may help improve memory, enhance creativity and basically support overall brain functioning. Mushrooms, especially Lion's Mane, are great for whole body support, but when it comes to supporting your brain, this mushroom is the king of cognition! Eating right, exercising and getting good quality sleep are some of the most important things you can do for your brain health. Eating right Too much sugar in the diet can have harmful and lasting effects on the brain over time. We are now seeing a rise in what experts call type 3 diabetes. This is a condition like type 2 diabetes, but the brain is the organ that is resistant to insulin. Having type 3 diabetes is thought to lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Long story short, too much sugar can cause a lack of clarity, fatigue and early progression of age-related brain disease. Complement a healthy diet with exercise Exercise brings fresh blood flow to the brain and with that, vitamins and minerals. Exercise also helps control blood pressure which is key in preventing stroke. Sleep Good sleep quality is possibly the MOST important avenue to help protect your brain and keep it healthy. Your body repairs during sleep, especially your brain! There is so much evidence emerging on the importance of a good night sleep and the effects it has on the brain. Extra late nights may be worth ‘rethinking’ and enhancing the quality of your sleep should be priority. When thinking of your overall health goals, don’t forget to include your brain in your health regime. Always talk to your Naturopathic Doctor or healthcare provider before making any major changes in your daily regime, such as strenuous exercise or supplementation.

What is Collagen? Collagen is the most abundant form of protein in our body. It provides strength, elasticity, and tone. Although we may think of collagen only in our skin, it can also be found throughout our bodies: from muscle fibres and bone matrix to our blood vessels. Collagen is the protein responsible for strong and flexible connective tissues. The collagen in our skin plays the role of improving our skin's moisture, suppleness and elasticity, and a healthy amount of collagen will give an overall youthful appearance. Our body produces its own collagen, using 3 amino acids as key "building blocks"; they are Glycine, Proline, and Hydroxyproline. Collagen formation in our body involves complex enzymatic reactions, and providing the building blocks is crucial in the process. WHY SHOULD I SUPPLEMENT WITH COLLAGEN? As we age, our collagen formation naturally decreases: starting at 1% every year in our twenties, and up to 50% by the time we hit 45. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can further decrease the collagen formation rate in our body. Less collagen leads to a loss of elasticity, strength, and tone throughout the body. You may notice this through signs of ageing, such as: Fine lines/wrinkles Brittle nails Cellulite Sagging skin Loss of moisture Weak ligaments Aching joints Arthritis Cartilage injuries There are ways to bring the collagen formation rate up again, such as providing enough "key building blocks." These amino acids are abundant in collagen-rich food, such as bone broth and chicken feet. Unfortunately, most people don't get enough collagen in their diet. Hence, collagen supplementation is beneficial for most people! It helps reduce the signs of ageing, keep the strength, tone and health of our connective tissues, and even improve the digestive tract. There are so many benefits to collagen other than beautiful skin, hair, and nails! THE MAIN TYPES OF COLLAGEN Let's break down the three most common types of collagen that you'll see in our bodies: Types 1, 2, and 3. Supplemental collagen is mainly found as Type 1, as well as a combination of Types 1 and 3. Generally, sourcing plays a role in the type of collagen that is extracted. For example, bovine collagen is sourced from the hides of cattle and is naturally high in Type 1 collagen. Here is a chart of the most common types of collagen supplements and how they are sourced. Now that you are ready to start supplementing with a Collagen powder, which source should you use? What is the difference? Is there a price difference between them? Here is a breakdown of the characteristics and benefits of bovine, marine, and poultry-sourced collagen: Bovine Collagen Naturally sourced from the hides of cattle (be sure it is sourced from the hides), this kind is very high in collagen Types 1 and 3 and contains a high amount of protein. In fact, it contains almost double the amount found in marine collagen. With a large amount of glycine (a functional amino acid), bovine collagen is excellent for hair, skin, nails, as well as our connective tissues and digestive health. In most cases, bovine collagen will give you a better bang for your buck. Marine Collagen Naturally sourced from the scales and/or skins of marine species (usually cold water fish like cod or salmon), marine collagen is very high in Type 1 collagen, which is known to increase tightness, tone, and skin elasticity. It is very beneficial for skin, hair, and nail health, and is referred to as the fountain of youth. If you are a pescetarian or prefer fish-based products, marine collagen is the one for you. Poultry Naturally sourced from chicken sternum cartilages (very high in Type 2 collagen), it is high in Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin Sulfate, which are essential for healthy and strong cartilages, joints and ligaments. BioCell Collagen contains a potent amount of hydrolyzed collagen which stimulates collagen production in the skin, supports the health of our joints, and keeps the moisture in our skin and lubrication around our joints. What Can Collagen Do for Me? Collagen is highly beneficial to our body for many health reasons. Mostly known for its anti-ageing effects, collagen has been researched and shown to improve more than just your skin's texture and tone. So, what are the benefits of collagen supplements? Here are a few proven benefits from collagen: Increased moisture within the body (skin & joints) Improved digestive health (leaky gut) Immune support Improved mood Stable blood sugar/weight management Connective tissue health (joints, cartilage and ligaments) Reduction in inflammation within the body Improved bone health The amazing thing about collagen is that it is a very versatile and functional supplement for all lifestyles and ages. It is also an easy supplement to include in your daily routine: add it in your morning smoothies, yogurt, coffee, and even to your baking! Organika's Enhanced Collagen Enhanced Collagen from Organika goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the modern-day health enthusiast. Stress, energy, cognitive function, etc. are all symptoms that can be addressed through Organika's collagen - hence the name "Enhanced"! Whether you are in a time crunch or need a convenient way to get some much-needed nutrients, Enhanced Collagen can help you make an event out of your morning cup, or give your baked goods a nutritious boost. It is super simple to find a product that works for you! Organika has a variety of formulas created just for your modern, on-the-go lifestyle and all can be mixed in water, smoothies, coffees, even baked goods! So find which one works best for you! Check out this handy cheat sheet.   Conclusion: With over 300 various collagen supplements on the market, choosing the collagen that is right for you can seem overwhelming and confusing. When choosing a collagen supplement, always make sure to ask or research a few important details before making your decision. Wondering what makes a great collagen supplement? Find out here in this blog. Do you still have questions about Collagen? Download our e-book to learn more about the different types of collagen and which one is for you! 

There’s Different Types of Collagen? Collagen has become one of the most talked-about nutrients in the health, fitness, and beauty industries. Why? Because collagen is an essential protein. In fact, it is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up about 30% of total protein mass. Collagen is found in our bones, connective tissues such as joints, ligaments, and cartilage, muscles, hair, skin, nails, and even blood vessels. While collagen is important for many reasons, its primary role is providing strength and structure. Think of collagen as the glue that holds your body together. Collagen peptides help give skin its elasticity, shape, and joint structure. This helps explain why there are many different types of collagen, with over 16 identified so far. When it comes to collagen supplements, the most commonly discussed types are Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 collagen. Collagen supplements are available in several forms, including hydrolyzed collagen (collagen peptides powder, collagen powder, collagen capsules, or liquid form), gelatin, and undenatured collagen. Among these, hydrolyzed collagen peptides are generally the easiest for the body to absorb and use. Type 1 Collagen Where is it found? Type 1 collagen is found in hair, skin, and nails and is the most abundant type of collagen in the body, making up around 90%. It is also present in bones, where it accounts for roughly 40% of the bone matrix, as well as in ligaments. Sources of Type 1 collagen include marine collagen and bovine collagen. What does it do? Type 1 collagen plays a major role in skin elasticity, strength, and anti-aging support. It contributes to the firmness and structure of the skin and may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and loss of elasticity, including cellulite. Products with Type 1 Collagen Peptides If you’re looking to add more Type 1 collagen peptides to your routine, there are a few options depending on your preferences. All of our Enhanced Collagen products include Types 1 and 3 collagen, sourced from grass-fed bovine with no hormones or antibiotics—a solid everyday choice for broad collagen support.   If you’d rather go the marine route, our Marine Collagen Powder is made from fish scales and contains Type 1 collagen only, while Liquid Marine Collagen with Biotin and Vitamin C offers the same marine collagen in a ready-to-take format with added beauty-supporting ingredients.   For those who prefer capsules, Enhanced Collagen Capsules provide another Type 1–only option. You can also find Type 1 collagen in alternative formats like our effervescent tablets (made with marine collagen and vitamin C), or in nourishing, food-based options like Beef Bone Broth, which naturally contains Types 1 and 3 collagen.  Type 2 Collagen Where is it found? Type 2 collagen is found in connective tissues such as joints, ligaments, and cartilage. Chicken is known to be particularly high in Type 2 collagen. What does it do? Type 2 collagen helps maintain the structure of cartilage and bones. As collagen naturally declines with age and environmental factors like UV exposure or smoking, connective tissues can weaken, which may contribute to joint discomfort and osteoarthritis. Products with Type 2 Collagen Peptides Two popular options include BioCell Collagen, which is derived from chicken cartilage (sternum) and naturally includes hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate—compounds that work alongside collagen to support comfortable movement and joint function.   For a more food-based approach, Chicken Bone Broth also contains Type 2 collagen, along with naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that help support connective tissue.  Type 3 Collagen Where is it found? Type 3 collagen is another abundant form found alongside Type 1 collagen fibers. It appears in reticular fibers throughout the body, including bones, muscles, organs, blood vessels, tendons, and connective tissues. What does it do? Type 3 collagen supports skin elasticity, circulation, healthy bone matrix, nail strength, and hair thickness. Together with Type 1 collagen, it plays a major role in skin structure and anti-aging benefits.  Products with Type 3 Collagen Peptides Type 3 collagen is often found alongside Type 1 in many bovine-based collagen supplements. Our Enhanced Collagen Protein is made with grass-fed bovine collagen and provides hydrolyzed Type 1 and 3 collagen peptides, with no added hormones or antibiotics.  You can also get Type 3 collagen through food-based options like Beef Bone Broth, which naturally contains collagen along with minerals and compounds such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin, and glucosamine.  What Types of Collagen Do You Need? Now that you understand the different types of collagen, you may be wondering which collagen supplement is right for you. Start by choosing hydrolyzed collagen peptides for optimal absorption. Select your collagen based on your health goals: a) For beauty, bone, and joint health, Types 1 and 3 are ideal.b) For joint and ligament support, Type 2 collagen from bone broth or cartilage-based sources may be helpful. Choose the format that fits your lifestyle, whether powder, capsules, or liquid. If you would like to supplement with all three types of collagen, that is perfectly acceptable. Collagen also provides 17 additional beneficial amino acids. Have more questions? Talk to our experts about product recommendations.