Every woman wants flawless skin, unbreakable fingernails, beautiful hair, and healthy bones.
Every day we read about the benefits of collagen, but collagen is not the only nutrient involved in all of these so-called anti-aging benefits.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and necessary for collagen production. There are 21 amino acids common to all life forms, and nine are essential. Meaning our body can’t make them, so we have to rely on food or supplements to get these nine amino acids. There are another six amino acids that are conditionally essential, meaning their synthesis can be limited under certain conditions or health circumstances. Amino acid functions range from building hormones and neurotransmitters to stimulating muscle growth and supporting the immune system. So how does this correlate to healthy aging? There are four ways amino acids help reduce wrinkles, target stubborn cellulite, and strengthen our bones.
Every woman wants flawless skin, unbreakable fingernails, beautiful hair, and healthy bones.
Every day we read about the benefits of collagen, but collagen is not the only nutrient involved in all of these so-called anti-aging benefits.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and necessary for collagen production. There are 21 amino acids common to all life forms, and nine are essential. Meaning our body can’t make them, so we have to rely on food or supplements to get these nine amino acids. There are another six amino acids that are conditionally essential, meaning their synthesis can be limited under certain conditions or health circumstances. Amino acid functions range from building hormones and neurotransmitters to stimulating muscle growth and supporting the immune system. So how does this correlate to healthy aging? There are four ways amino acids help reduce wrinkles, target stubborn cellulite, and strengthen our bones.
AMINO ACIDS are the necessary building blocks of collagen, but also so much more when it comes to aging, so whether you take hydrolyzed collagen in your smoothies, drink bone broth daily, or take a specific amino acid supplements, know that you are contributing to keeping both your body and mind healthy. Although a true anti-aging miracle is far from available, understanding the mechanism of aging is key to understand how we can maintain stronger, functioning bodies for a lifetime. Like the age-old quote says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
The 4 ways Amino Acids help reduce wrinkles, target stubborn cellulite, and strengthen our bones.
1. Collagen synthesis
Collagen is a triple helix of amino acids, mostly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Taking these precursors, which are highly absorbable, can help make collagen in the body. Proline and hydroxyproline can help with cartilage regeneration, forming connective tissue and repairing skin damage, while glycine is a component of glutathione (our master antioxidant).
2. Beauty sleep
Amino acids are also essential for sleep because they help form neurotransmitters, which can calm the mind and also promote restful quality sleep. Gamma- aminobutyric-acid (GABA) is an inhibitory amino acid that has been shown to support REM sleep, and increase feelings of relaxation and calmness. Glycine also has a calming effect on the brain, while L-tryptophan increases brain levels of serotonin and melatonin.
3. Antioxidant power
Glycine, glutamine, and cysteine are necessary to make glutathione. Proline is another effective antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, always a crucial process in healthy aging. Finally, arginine helps in the stimulation of human growth hormone secretion, which may support muscle mass and strength.
4. Telomere lengthening
Carnosine is an amino acid whose levels, like those of other nutrients, are known to decline with age, especially in our muscles. It is estimated that our muscles lose more than 60% of their carnosine over our lives and may account for age-related muscle decline. Supplementing with carnosine may help prevent this and potentially even more. Carnosine has been shown to reduce telomere shortening in human cells, suggesting it can contribute to life-extension in our DNA!
