COLLAGEN: TIPS TO USE IT THE RIGHT WAY AS A BEAUTY & HEALTH REGIMEN

I became fed up with feeling like I had to wear makeup in order to feel at ease and accepted not only by other people but by my own self. Around this same time, I also looked for ways to stop my hair from falling out. I genetically have extremely thin and feeble hair, so hair thinning and hair loss was a norm for me but around this time it just seemed to get worse (which I later learned was because we produce less collagen as we get older and that can weaken hair follicles).

After trying countless products – topical, supplements, food – none gave me the results I was seeking. I do have to point out that I tried a slew of products in an attempt to grow my hair thicker and faster since I was about 14-years-old and none did the trick — that’s almost an entire decade!

After a considerable amount of research, I decided to experiment in my kitchen and concoct my own supplement blends that contained collagen, biotin, and horsetail (because I couldn’t rely on only one ingredient to help me as I tried biotin before and it didn’t do much for my hair thickness or growth). Then 2 months came around and . . . Voila! My complexion improved significantly where I felt comfortable leaving the house with a bare face for the first time, my hair stopped falling out as much, and my hair (after all these years) finally grew thicker. This was a stepping stone for me since it was the first time I felt comfortable being myself and looking like myself. That’s when Wholy Dose was born.

In fact, studies show that when taken consistently, our collagen has the ability to smooth fine lines, plump skin, keep skin hydrated, strengthen hair and nails, and improve joint, bone, and muscle health in as little as 4-8 weeks! Being a results-driven company sets us apart from other brands because aside from using clinically-proven collagen, we also have photos to support how our products can help you.

We started with collagen and went further. All Wholy Dose products have a base blend of collagen, biotin, and horsetail — we decided to do this to make sure our users are getting maximum results. Needless to say, horsetail isn’t from a horse’s tail! It’s an ancient herb that resembles a mane’s tail, but has incredible health and beauty benefits due to it being rich in silica — a nutrient that is crucial in improving hair, nails, skin, bone health, and immunity, similarly to collagen.

Note: See Ingredient List & Results links at the end of the interview.

Additionally, we work with a reputable manufacturer that tests each ingredient before production and ensures our end-users are getting what’s on the label and nothing less, which is done by including an overage of the actual ingredient itself so that the finished product isn’t below what’s on the label.

Consuming collagen helps to soothe our gut’s lining, heal damaged cell walls, and provide our gut with the necessary amino acids that are responsible for repairing and maintaining the gut lining. That said, many illnesses are linked back to having poor gut health. So, when our gut goes through “sealing and healing”, we’re actually helping to keep out bacteria and toxins from leaking through the GI tract and helping to prevent sicknesses and improve immune health.

The amino acids found in collagen — glycine and glutamine — have been found to regulate metabolism. Glycine specifically, is known to boost metabolism by converting glucose into energy while glutamine helps to boost metabolism (plasma bicarbonate).

Speaking of feelings of fullness — studies have found that collagen increases the satiety hormone by keeping your body full and satisfied because it’s high in protein and low in fat. People have also reported that collagen is more filling and satisfying compared to whey protein.

Whatever your choice of consumption is, be sure to stay consistent and take collagen daily to obtain optimal results. That said, daily can be anywhere between 4-7 days per week but I highly recommend 5-7 days per week.

It may seem like a long time but I like to look at it as a long-term investment for my health and vitality — and it doesn’t hurt to look younger than your age.

This nurtures the soil more to make the matcha fully embodied in flavor (not bitter like most matcha out there) and full of nutrients.

Our CACAO Beauty Superfood Powder is a delicious, sugar-free chocolate elixir that is great as a cacao latte (hot or iced) or in smoothies, baking, chia pudding, oatmeal, and other recipes. Our BEAUTY TONIC Superpowder is a pomegranate flavored elixir that’s great for those who prefer flavored drinks and tastes delicious in water with ice, water with fresh fruit, teas, fresh lemonades, or smoothies. This was intentional so there’s a flavor for everyone!

Another thing to note is not all collagen is created equal. It’s crucial to choose collagen that is pure (no fillers or preservatives) and of high-quality. I’ve heard from countless people that the collagen they use or used but stopped taking was awful in smell and taste — this isn’t usual since collagen should be odorless and tasteless. That all goes down to the quality and sourcing of the collagen itself.

Note: See Ingredient List & Results links at the end of the interview.

I like to add things like chia seeds, flaxseeds, raw nuts, spirulina, and cacao into my smoothies and oatmeal. (I’m known for having a pantry FILLED with bags and jars of these.) I also like to add these ingredients in addition to 2-3 cups of leafy greens to smoothies for a quick antioxidant fix.

Wellness lattes are another way I stay health-minded and is something I look forward to every day. My go-to is a wellness matcha latte made with Wholy Dose’s MATCHA Beauty Superfood Powder blended with almond milk or oat milk. Other wellness lattes I typically prepare are Wholy Dose’s CACAO Beauty Superfood Powder or Wholy Dose’s UNFLAVORED Beauty Superfood Powder blended with nut milk and things like raw nuts, dates, cinnamon, coconut oil, turmeric, or adaptogens (my favorites are tocos and maca).

Thank you for this opportunity to talk to The Health-Minded community!

THM: And there you have it – the possibilities of collagen and a plan to successfully incorporate it into a wellness routine should you think it could align with you. Be sure to check out the links below providing ingredient details, before and afters and tools to use collagen as well.

We thank you, Gina, for your time and really helpful advice! And, now that you are a member of The Health-Minded community, from one health-minded individual to another, I wish you the very best in your business and all your healthy living pursuits.

Photo Credits: Photos 1,2,4,5,7,9,12 provided from WholyDose.

SHOP TOP-RATED COLLAGEN TOOLS

Below are some top-rated smoothie and juicing making tools – a perfect method to easily incorporate some collagen powders into your daily routine if you choose!