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Collagen Supplements for Type 1 Diabetes Skin and Hair Support
Managing Type 1 Diabetes can feel like a constant balancing act. From keeping blood sugars stable to ensuring proper nutrition, fitness, and sleep, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, small changes can make a significant impact on your overall health and well-being. One such change could be adding a collagen supplement to your daily routine.
In today’s blog, we’re diving into the benefits of collagen and how it can support your T1D management. If you’re looking to improve your skin, nails, joints, and even digestive health, collagen might just be the game-changer you need.
What is Collagen and Why Should You Care?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, found in your skin, hair, nails, joints, and even your gut lining. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and strength of these tissues. For people with Type 1 Diabetes, collagen supplementation can provide a variety of benefits, from supporting gut health to easing joint pain, and let's not forget how it will help your skin heal faster and better from insulin injections, CGMs and insulin pump infusion sets!
Your body naturally produces collagen, but as we age or face health challenges, this production can decrease. That’s why collagen supplements have become a popular choice to replenish this vital protein.
The Benefits of Collagen for Type 1 Diabetics
Gut Health Support Collagen is essential for the lining of your gut, helping to maintain its elasticity and strength. If you struggle with digestive issues like leaky gut or bacterial overgrowth, collagen can be a powerful ally. By strengthening the gut lining, it can help keep harmful substances from leaking into your bloodstream, promoting better digestive health overall.
Improved Skin, Hair, and Nails As T1D warriors, we know that taking care of our skin, hair, and nails is essential for overall health and confidence. Collagen supports the structure of your skin, improving elasticity and speeding up skin healing. This is obviously a big tick for us! For your hair and nails, collagen can boost growth and improve their overall health and strength.
Joint and Muscle Support If you’ve been dealing with joint pain or muscle stiffness, collagen may help. It lubricates your joints and improves their function, which can be especially beneficial for those of us with Type1 because our joints can be more prone to aches and pains. It can also support muscle health, making it easier to be active and stay insulin sensitive.
How Collagen Works in Your Body
Collagen is made by combining several key ingredients, including amino acids (the building blocks of protein), Vitamin C, zinc, and copper. These components are crucial in helping your body produce collagen naturally. However, boosting your intake through food or supplements can help your body maintain adequate levels of collagen for optimal function.
Best Collagen Sources for Type 1 Diabetics
While collagen is naturally found in animal-based products like bone broth, organ meats, and fish, most people don’t consume these regularly. That’s why collagen supplements can be a great option, especially for those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets. Bone broth is a top choice for getting collagen through food, but if it’s not part of your regular diet, a supplement may be more convenient and effective. Collagen is also zero carbohydrate (aside from small amounts of carbs that can be added to some supplements), so it's super easy to manage blood sugars around it.
Top Collagen Supplements for T1D Health
When it comes to collagen supplements, quality matters. Here are two of my favourite options that I personally use and recommend to my clients:
Dose and Co Collagen Creamer If you love your morning coffee, Dose and Co offers a collagen creamer that can be added to your coffee, tea, or smoothie. It comes in delicious flavors like vanilla and caramel, or you can opt for a flavorless version. This is a great option if you’re looking for a creamy texture without the milk, and it provides all the benefits of collagen in a tasty, convenient form.
Dose & Co Collagen Creamer Nutra Organics Collagen Powder For a more versatile option, Nutra Organics offers a flavourless collagen powder that can be mixed into coffee, water, juice, yogurt, or smoothies. This is a perfect option if you prefer a neutral flavour and want to add it to a variety of foods.
Nutra Organics Collagen
How Collagen Can Help You as a Type 1 Diabetic
Adding collagen to your routine may seem like a small change, but its benefits for skin, hair, joints, and gut health are huge. When you feel confident and supported in your body, it’s easier to take control of your blood sugars, diet, exercise, and overall health. Remember, whether you choose to get your collagen through food or supplements, the goal is to find what works best for your lifestyle and needs.
I’d love to help you take the next step in improving your health and managing your Type 1 Diabetes. If you’re interested in personalised guidance, click the links below to work with me 1on1 or join the THR1VE membership. Together, we can navigate nutrition, exercise, sleep, and blood sugar management, so you can feel confident and in control of your body and your life with Type 1.
Let's connect
My 1on1 coaching sessions are designed to help you learn the fundamentals of good blood sugar management, including learning how to dose accurately based on your needs. Together, we can work on dialling in your blood sugar levels around meals, exercise, hormonal cycles and more - to help you feel more in control and confident in your daily life with Type1.
Join the THR1VE membership for individuals with T1D and carers of
The THR1VE membership is an online video trainings and resources platform that will help you thrive with Type 1 Diabetes. You will gain access to in-depth video trainings on the fundamental steps to good blood sugar management, a Carb Counted Recipe Database with bolusing tips, and monthly LIVE group trainings to help you apply what you've learned and answer your questions - plus so much more!