I had no idea just how vital collagen was. That it’s literally part of everything, even our eyeballs (ewwwww!!). But I did notice little things, with my skin, the way I moved, that I felt like my body was slowing down. At first I thought, well, it’s just age. But no, it was in fact a major collagen deficiency, which thankfully I’ve been able to reverse.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, which basically means it holds us together. It’s required for pretty much everything, so before I share how it showed up for me, here are some areas you may be able to relate to:

• Skin and appearance – elasticity, wrinkle depth, wound healing, scar tissue, hydration and that healthy “bounce”
• Joints and movement – cartilage cushioning, bone density, tendons, ligaments, muscle recovery
• Hormones and ageing – collagen production is linked to oestrogen, so it often declines faster around perimenopause and menopause, and it also plays a role in how resilient your body is to chronic stress
• Eyes, gut and internal health – tear film and eye moisture, gut lining integrity, blood vessel elasticity, heart and artery health, gum and dental health
• Hair and nails – thickness, growth and strength

So it’s not just a skin thing. It’s a whole body thing, and for those of us who are stressed all the time, the high achievers, the ones carrying the mental load for everyone and everything, that decline speeds up. Chronic stress is one of the biggest collagen thieves there is.

Here’s what that actually looked like for me.

1. Skin that’s lost its bounce

Fine lines that weren’t there before, skin that looks dull or crepey, or takes longer to “bounce back” after you press it. This is one of the first things I noticed in myself, my skin had lost its “spark” and was dull and didn’t look healthy.  I managed to improve this significantly (and quickly!) using my liquid collagen.

2. Dry, gritty eyes

This one surprised me. At my annual test, my optometrist told me I had dry eyes and he wanted to write me a script. Since taking my liquid collagen, that dryness has disappeared, and at my next appointment everything was perfect.

3. Menopause symptoms are more intense

Because estrogen and collagen are so linked, a lot of women find their perimenopause or menopause symptoms feel much more intense once collagen levels start to drop. I noticed this myself, and as well as taking liquid collagen, I paired it with a natural activator and it transformed everything.  I’ve had so many positive outcomes from this combination and pretty much all of my symptoms are gone.

4. Hair that’s thinning or not growing like it used to

Collagen supports the structure of your hair follicles as well as nail strength. I’ve noticed a real difference in both the thickness and growth of my hair since prioritizing this, it’s one of those changes that sneaks up on you until someone says “your hair looks great” and you realize, oh, it actually does. My nails have noticeably strengthened too, no more splitting or peeling at the edges.

5. Joint aches and slower recovery

Collagen is a major building block of cartilage, the cushioning between your joints. I do reformer pilates regularly, and I’ve genuinely noticed better recovery since supporting my collagen levels, less stiffness the next day, less of that “why does my body feel ninety” feeling after a big session.

Why this hits high achieving women harder

Chronic stress raises cortisol, and elevated cortisol actively breaks down collagen faster than your body can replace it. So if you’re the one always doing everything for everyone, running on adrenaline and coffee, your collagen is quietly paying the price while you’re busy ticking off the to do list. Layer perimenopause or menopause on top of that, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel like our bodies have changed overnight.

It’s yet another version of the same story I keep coming back to. The busyness isn’t just costing you time and sanity. It’s costing you physically too.

What actually helps

Diet plays a part, bone broth, leafy greens, vitamin C rich foods all support your body’s own collagen production. But once I understood how much stress and hormonal changes were accelerating my own decline, I started looking at supplementing directly rather than hoping food alone would keep up.

How to choose the right collagen (not all are equal)

There are so many products on the market, so how did I choose? Well firstly, the source matters, as well as the type of product you take, liquid, powder or tablet. I chose a liquid collagen that has 10 different types, and liquid means it’s more bioavailable (the body can absorb it better). As a bonus, it’s also won a Stevie Award and has a bunch of third party studies behind it, so I felt good knowing it wasn’t just clever marketing.

Want to know what I take to support my skin, eyes, hair, nails and joints, and honestly, my whole sense of feeling like myself again? Check it out here

Check the science behind the product/s

Interested to know more about the science behind the products?  Check these out:

Liquid Collagen In Vitro Study

NRF2 & Liquid Collagen Study

You’ll see why not all collagen products are created equal.

Got questions, drop me a message here and I’ll get back to you. Contact me

If any of this sounds familiar, it might be worth asking yourself the same question I had to ask myself a while back. What am I actually optimizing for, and is it costing me more than it’s giving me back?

Until next time,

Kim

If this resonated, you’re probably ready for more than just managing symptoms. I work with women who want to optimize their health, feel like a million bucks, and thrive instead of just getting by. Get in touch here and let’s talk, no pressure, just a conversation about what’s actually going on for you.