Collagen: for beauty and more!

Updated on 2026-01-15

Summary: Collagen: for beauty and more!

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body: it forms the structure of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and cartilage. Its production declines from the age of 25, with a marked loss around the age of 30, and even more so in post-menopausal women.

Collagen contributes to skin elasticity and hydration, wound healing, joint pain relief, mobility, bone strength, hair and nails. It is found naturally in foods such as bone broth, beef, chicken, eggs and seafood.

As a supplement, marine collagen is best known for skin, bovine collagen for joints, while "plant collagen" supports natural production thanks to vitamin C. Products such as Biosil help protect and stimulate collagen production, while offering an anti-inflammatory effect, particularly beneficial for joints.

Why collagen is essential

Collagen is the body's structural foundation, comparable to the bricks of a house. Its production naturally declines with age, which explains the appearance of joint pain, loss of skin firmness and bone fragility.

The main benefits of collagen

It improves skin elasticity and hydration, promotes healing, supports joints and mobility, strengthens bone density and contributes to stronger hair and nails.

The different sources of collagen

Marine collagen is highly bioavailable and appreciated for the skin, bovine collagen is particularly effective for joints and cartilage, while plant-based formulas support internal production with nutrients such as vitamin C.

Nutrition and supplementation

Collagen is found naturally in bone broth, chicken, beef, eggs and seafood. In addition, products such as Biosil act as collagen generators, protecting the collagen already present and stimulating its production, with an anti-inflammatory effect that benefits joints.

About the author

Lynn Goneau, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive health
• Hormonal health
• Stress and fatigue
• Memory and concentration
• Weight management

Frédéric Bisson, radio host at 104.7 FM

Host of the 104.7 FM radio station on the Cogeco network. Frédéric Bisson has hosted L'Outaouais Maintenant from 3 to 5 p.m. every weekday since February 27, 2023.

Transcription

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

It's a word we've been hearing for a very long time. Often when we talk about beauty products, skin care, collagen and there are plenty of people who also need it for other uses, but in fact, to live downright, it takes some but where do we find collagen in food - is it in bovine food? Is it in seafood, or is it mainly in plants for beauty and well-being? Lynn Goneau, naturopath at La Boite à Grains. Hello.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Hello Fred.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Collagen is very important in the human body.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, indeed, it's the most abundant protein and everything is made of collagen. So we're talking bones, skin, muscles, tendons, cartilage, that's what we're saying. It's actually a structural protein for the body. It's like the brick of a house. It's the structure that allows your house to be solid, generally still going to produce that, make it, is that collagen production is going to decrease considerably starting at age 25. And it does. Then we're talking about around age 30. Collagen loss is about 15% per year, and even worse, women going through menopause can see a decrease of up to 30%.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

And yet it's diminishing, but we need it all our lives. That's why we're going to talk about supplements later, but name four benefits of collagen on the body.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Of course, there's the skin. Collagen can help improve your skin's elasticity and hydration, and even reduce fine lines, it will also promote healing. So often, after an operation, customers with wounds will find it helps their joints heal much more quickly. That's interesting. Collagen can help relieve joint pain, in fact, joint pain such as osteoarthritis, arthritis, and it can also promote mobility.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

I've often been told that it's like, say, a part in a car. It's almost like tank grease. It helps to move. Which goes to lubricate.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, and don't forget bone density, which collagen helps to reinforce, and is very beneficial in preventing osteoporosis. Agreed? Then, of course, there's the question of hair and nails.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Yes, if you have, when you have hair first.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

And for nails, it's what helps them grow.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, to make them stronger.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Do we choose bovine collagen, marine collagen or plant collagen? There are differences, it's all collagen, but each has its own particularity.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, indeed, we have to look, see, what are our specific needs? Because marine collagen is often considered the most bioavailable and beneficial for the skin. Right? Whereas bovine collagen is particularly effective for joints and cartilage.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

And the plant itself

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

You have to understand that there's no collagen in a plant-based supplement because collagen is an animal protein. On the other hand, a plant-based collagen product contains fruit, vegetable and plant extracts, all nutrients that are rich in vitamin C, because you need vitamin C to stimulate the production of your own collagen.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

So it's like a supplement, if you like. Yes, but it's naturally found in certain foods, which ones, for example?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Like eggs, beef, chicken, seafood, it can be a good bone broth. We like that. Yes. Uh, or it can also be oily fish like salmon if you can find it there.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Yes, but chicken broth is basically bone broth. So if we're low on collagen and need a supplement, what do you recommend?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

In fact, Biosil. It's a collagen generator that protects existing collagen, helps to produce new collagen, and benefits skin, hair, nails, bones and joints. It's a bit of everything. And there's a very interesting anti-inflammatory action.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Yes, for the joints.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Especially for joints.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

We all get it around age 50. Osteoarthritis starts. That's why I started taking collagen.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, that's important. Then you have to move.