Major Joint Pain Riddle SOLVED!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 6, 2017
Q: This may seem like a silly question. I’ve been taking collagen for my joints for years, and just started using a different supplement brand. The new label says I should take it with a meal – but I’ve never had to do that before. Does it even matter?
— Elizabeth R.
Dr. Scott: Actually, that’s not a silly question at all. In fact, there’s quite a bit of debate in the health community on when and how you should take collagen supplements.
That probably accounts for the different labels.
Luckily, there’s an easy answer to your question. But, before I dive in, let me take a moment to explain just how important collagen supplementation can be for our health.
Our ancestors ate a ton of collagen. They drank it in their bone-broth soups, and got tons of collagen when they ate all parts of an animal.
Us, not so much.
Our diets are almost completely devoid of collagen.
Collagen is made up of the amino acids glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine.
When we are young, our bodies manufactured plenty of collagen, but as we grow older that production falls off dramatically. Some scientists estimate we lose 10 to 20 percent of our collagen by the time we reach 40 years old.
There are many reasons why you should make sure you are getting enough collagen in your diet:
- Skin, hair, and nail health. Collagen helps prevent wrinkles.
- Joint health. Our joints are mostly made of collagen and work better when we consume more collagen.
- Supplementing with collagen reduces leaky gut syndrome – a digestive condition that leads to higher inflammation.
- Supplementing with collagen has been shown to boost metabolism.
- Collagen is an important part of our brain and has been shown to improve mental health.
Now that we know why we should be taking collagen, what about that question: when should you take collagen?
There’s actually a good body of research showing that it doesn’t matter, despite all the debate.
If you take collagen with a meal or first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, the results are the same: your body is happy to use that collagen to make healthy skin, joints, guts, and brains.
Just do whatever works for your schedule.
So, how do you make sure you are getting enough?
Dr. Scott’s Collagen Production Plan
- There are food sources of collagen, including gelatin and bone broth.
- Sulfur containing veggies such as onions and garlic all help to increase your own collagen production.
Those tips will help, but I believe supplementing is necessary to make sure you are getting enough collagen. I prefer products that break down the collagen into absorbable and useable fractions called collagen peptides.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
P.S. Want me to answer your question next? Email me at askdrscott@livingwelldaily.com
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...