Biotin and collagen are often discussed together, since both nutrients can help promote healthier hair, skin and nails through supplements. But while both nutrients are essential in our diets, they each serve different functions within the body.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, helps support enzymes responsible for breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It can be found in many foods such as organ meats, yeast, egg yolks, whole grains, green leafy vegetables as well as nuts and seeds such as hemp, pumpkin and cashews.
Improves Skin Texture
Collagen, the protein found in skin, hair, nails and joints is often known as the “fountain of youth.” A key component of bones, skin and tendons and essential for wound healing. Collagen also aids with cell turnover and hydration – two important aspects of maintaining a healthy complexion. Topical application has shown significant results in decreasing fine lines and wrinkles as well as improving hydration levels and skin elasticity while oral collagen applications also appear to promote increased skin elasticity, improved hydration levels, decreased wrinkles as well as reduced wrinkles [25].
Biotin, also referred to as vitamin H, plays an integral part in numerous body metabolic pathways, such as carbohydrate metabolism, fatty acid conversion/synthesis and formation of keratin. Foods high in biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, nuts/seeds/whole grains as well as certain fruits.
As our bodies do not produce proteins on their own, they rely on diet to provide us with protein sources that meet our requirements. When we eat foods with plenty of proteins like nuts and legumes, these will be broken down by our bodies into amino acids that can then be distributed to areas that require them most in our bodies – making whole food sources like beans the optimal way to get our daily dose.
Fish skin, tendons and scales contain abundant amounts of collagen as do animal by-products like bone broth and gelatin, while pork also provides good sources. Pork is similar to human collagen in structure; thus making pork an excellent source. Not only is fish collagen delicious to consume directly on skin surface applications; there is evidence showing its effectiveness at improving elasticity and hydration of skin when applied topically.
Strengthens Hair & Nails
Collagen is an innovative beauty supplement with numerous advantages for skin, hair and nail health. Clinical trials have proven its efficacy at reducing fine lines and wrinkles, increasing skin elasticity, improving hair growth and nail health as well as strengthening them with natural sources like glycine, proline and hyaluronic acid – when taken in combination with vitamin C it also stimulates fibroblasts to produce more elastic and youthful complexions by producing collagen and elastin for an elasticized and youthful complexion.
An industry study on 25 participants who took 2.5 g of collagen peptides daily for 24 weeks saw an average 10% improvement in nail strength and growth (2). Vida Glow community members regularly report seeing their nails become stronger, faster, and less brittle with regular use of our collagen supplements.
Biotin, on the other hand, is a water-soluble B vitamin that supports healthy hair and nails. Produced naturally within our bodies but its levels decline with age leading to thinning hair, weak or brittle nails and dry or flaky skin. Biotin can be found in organ meats, eggs, whole grains nuts and seeds among others as dietary sources of this essential nutrient.
Taken together, collagen and biotin supplements can be more effective than either one alone; however, the decision of which to select should depend on your skincare goals and concerns.
Biotin and collagen both play key roles in supporting skin, nail, and hair health. Their main difference lies in biotin’s role as a B vitamin for aiding food into fuel while collagen aids the body by building connective tissues.
Collagen and biotin are essential beauty nutrients, and should both be included as part of a regular beauty regime – whether that means using collagen cream after your morning shower, or taking daily collagen capsules with orange juice. Together they can help create beautiful, healthy skin, hair and nails from within out! When selecting the ideal supplement for you make sure it contains multiple types of collagen that have been scientifically supported through studies conducted by independent labs.
Strengthens Muscles & Joints
Collagen provides a natural cushion between bones in your joints and is the primary building block of joint cartilage, helping them remain flexible and healthy. Studies suggest taking collagen supplements may reduce symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis; however, this has yet to be fully proven across trials.
Collagen can be found in cartilage, ligaments, tendons and skin tissues as well as bones and muscles. Collagen consists of amino acids including key ones glycine, proline and hydroxyproline which form its triple helix structure. Your body can produce its own collagen but production becomes slower with age so supplementing with collagen may increase levels while slowing the aging process.
Animal foods provide one of the richest sources of collagen. You can increase your consumption of collagen-rich animal proteins through diet such as pot roast, chuck steak and brisket; chicken feet; red meat such as venison or buffalo; organ meats including liver and kidney; egg yolks; cheese; legumes like beans soybeans peanuts as well as leafy vegetables cauliflower and mushrooms are great ways to gain additional collagen sources in your diet.
Add collagen to your diet for stronger joints and muscles, especially if you suffer from joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Studies show that collagen supplements can relieve symptoms by decreasing inflammation and slowing cartilage degeneration in knees.
If you are considering taking collagen supplements, it is wise to speak with your healthcare provider first. They can advise on the appropriate dose and whether they’re safe for your overall health.
Increases Energy
Biotin, the vitamin commonly touted for its hair and nail strengthening benefits, and collagen, an amino acid which supports bones and joints, have both made headlines due to their beauty-boosting potential. Both can be found as supplements marketed to improve beauty – but what sets these nutrients apart, and how can you add more of each nutrient into your daily diet?
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that works together with other B vitamins to facilitate metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in your body. Furthermore, it helps produce certain fatty acids and amino acids for energy production by your cells – you can find biotin in foods like eggs, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Collagen is an important protein found in about one third of your skin. It makes your complexion appear smooth and supple, and research indicates it may even help maintain a healthier complexion as we age. Unfortunately, as we reach our 30s and 40s our bodies produce less collagen; adding collagen-rich foods such as bone broth or slow cooked meats into your diet could be effective ways to combat this trend.
Hydrolyzed collagen protein is especially easy for your body to absorb, making collagen supplements a convenient way for those who struggle to digest other forms of protein such as meat to get daily doses of this essential nutrient. This may make taking daily doses even easier! For this reason, they have become so popular over time as a convenient means of getting daily nutrition intake for those living with digestive conditions that make digesting other sources of protein difficult like meat can be.
collagen not only has beauty benefits but can also contribute to better heart health. Studies suggest it strengthens blood vessels, decreasing risk of atherosclerosis – which occurs when artery walls form cracks leading to blood clots – by strengthening them and decreasing atherosclerosis risk. Food sources containing collagen include organ meats like liver and kidneys; fish; shellfish; beans/legumes/beans etc; hard-cooked red meats such as pot roast, brisket and chuck steak are good ways of getting your recommended daily recommended intake; though its best practice to obtain nutrients through more healthy sources, such as fresh produce/lean cuts of meat etc.
