Tag Archives: clean eating

The Skinny on Collagen

It seems these days there is so much information out there. This or that is good for you, and then just as much information out there that says this or that is bad for you. How can we make decisions when we are constantly fighting over truth and not knowing who or what to trust, and who or what can help us?

Whether we suffer from anxiety, acne, or stomach aches, there just seems to be so many answers, while no answers at all. Nothing seems to work, while we are told to believe that all these magical pills or herbs for that matter will be the solution.

There’s a part of me that doesn’t believe in solutions, or one quick fix, but rather, as many functional medicine doctors would agree, we need to look at the body as a full system and see how everything interacts with each other. In addition, I feel like we relinquish our inner sense of knowing and put our faith entirely into the hand of the experts.

I encourage you to learn to tap into your feelings and intuition and allow that part of yourself to help you make decisions. YOU ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU THINK.

 

With that being said let’s learn the skinny on another superfood/trendy supplement hitting the streets: COLLAGEN. What’s it all about and how crucial is it that we add it to our green tea avocado matcha smoothies in the morning. Here’s the scoop.

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in your body and the entire animal kingdom. Vital for functioning. 1/3 of all the protein in our bodies; accounts for 75 percent of dry weight of our hair, skin, and nails. It is the glue that holds the body together; the connective tissue: skin/muscle tissue/ bones/tendons.

Collagen production declines naturally as you get older. Some say as early as in our 20’s

Ensuring we have adequate collagen in our bodies is very beneficial. We can either take collagen supplements to achieve this, or eat a diet rich in foods (primarily Vitamin C and antioxidants) that help support our own natural production of collagen. I feel like both are great and beneficial ways to go about. So how about both?!

Here is the science that backs supplemental collagen in helping several health ailments.

So as the science is beginning to show, increasing collagen production has a great impact on supporting supple skin. Others agree, that collagen can be used post-workout to help with muscle repair and support.

Also, there are natural ways to support collagen production:

  • Limit Prolonged Sun Exposure
  • Diet low in sugar, STRESS (big one…), cigarettes etc.
  • Drink lots of water… is this all starting to sound familiar by now?
  • Food
    • citrus fruits
      • oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, kiwis
    • dark leafy greens: spinach and kale
    • red fruits and veggies: like beets!
    • orange fruits and veggies: like carrots, sweet potatoes
    • broccoli
    • cauliflower
    • onion, shallots, leeks
    • white tea
    • legumes: peas and lentils
    • nuts
    • garlic
    • avocados
    • chia seeds
    • pumpkin seeds

So I guess essentially, just eating healthy? Either way, here is a nice framework for better understanding our bodies and the ways it produces and intakes collagen.

Thoughts on collagen. Natural VS. Supplementing. What are your tips and tricks for healthy supple skin?

HEALTHY GUT = STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM

Did you know: 50 -80 percent of your immune system is centered around your gut?

It’s imperative we nourish our gut in order to ensure our immunity.

I taught yoga and mindfulness in public schools for several years, and I tell you what, there ain’t nothin’ like the illnesses you can pick up from kids in schools. I would contract the most vicious colds and viruses when working there.

With that being said, there are ways to protect ourselves and boost our immune systems. Nobody likes getting sick, and for one reason or another, building a strong immune system is important to ward of any virus or disease that might try and infect you or your loved ones healthy little bodies.

So with that being said here are some tips to help you boost your immunity and develop a superhuman immunity shield!

Here are a list of immune boosting foods:

  • Garlic [antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal compounds]
  • Turmeric
  • Coconut Oil  [lauric acid, improve heart and thyroid health]
    • Put coconut oil in your smoothies, or a spoonful of it in your morning green tea almond milk latte (YUM) Add some organic lavender syrup (yikes, sugar, but hey) and some lavender buds!!
    • Oil Pulling  daily- info about oil pulling here: Why you should start oil pulling today 

 This one needs it’s own heading and picture: Mushrooms

  • Mushrooms influence the activity of the immune system
  • (vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamin C, Calcium, Protein, Fiber)
  • Some especially good mushrooms: Chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and reishi, shitake, maitake
  • Herb Tonic: I love putting this in my smoothies, it has reishi mushroom and other yummy herbs that promote a blissful state: Sun Potion: Anandamide Its ingredients include: Raw Cacao*, Tocos*, Mucuna Pruriens*, Ashwagandha*, Reishi Mushroom*, Astragalus**, Maca**, Moringa*, Rose Petals*, Cardamom*, Turmeric*, Cayenne*, Cinnamon*, Black Pepper*, Himalayan, Salt Crystals, Love!, 

Back to the list of Immune system building foods:

  • Fermented Foods: help promote a healthy balance of favorable bacteria in the gut.  Some examples of fermented foods are: sauerkraut, coconut kefir, kimchee, natto, and kombucha
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: a shot of this with lemon, honey, ginger and garlic. Makes a great tonic for zapping a cold right out of you. and speaking of…
  • Ginger: anti-inflammatory (brew small pieces up in water and make some ginger tea if you’re feeling a little tickle)
  • Greens! Green Juice
  • Dandelion                             
  • Elderberry Syrup (haven’t tried this one…) 
  • Cruciferous vegetables: like broccoli and brussel sprouts
  • Soluble Fiber: flax and chia seeds, beans, and legumes
  • Zinc: pumpkin seeds/ oysters/ lean meats/ crab/ chick peas

I love the health food store: Mothers Market maybe they have a location near you! Where are your favorite health food stores?

More tips:

  • Find a good probiotic: Probiotics with these two strains: (Lactobacillus) (Bifidobacterium) 30-50 billion colonies/ 8 strains of bacteria. Double dose if you’re coming down with a cold or have to take antibiotics. Raw is better.
  • Intermittent Fasting
  • Gargle with warm salt water
  • Epsom Salt bath
  • Rest
  • Fresh Air
  • Sunshine
  • Reduce Stress
  • Stay away from over the counter drugs/prescription medications

I still ate Chik-fil-A today. But I feel like a greasy pile of shit.

Better and better, amirite?!

Cheers to a healthy immune system lovelies!

What are your tips to building up your immune system?