Benefits of Collagen Supplements
Collagen is a protein in the body, and according to research, it is the most abundant and sufficient protein in the body. It is one of the major elements that make up certain body parts like the skin, muscle, tendons, and ligaments.
There are numerous scientifically-backed benefits of collagen, some of which include; strengthening the bones and protecting the skin from damage. Due to these health benefits of collagen, people take supplements-collagen supplements to help increase the collagen content in their bodies, such that the benefits will also increase invariably. Some of the collagen supplements are processed in such a way that they can easily be broken down and absorbed by the body- a process known as hydrolyzation.
Asides from collagen supplements, there are also certain kinds of foods that can increase your collagen levels. They contain properties that increase the collagen contents in your body. Some of these foods include; bone broth and pork skin.
Eating collagen-enriching foods and taking collagen supplements can supply your body with lots of health benefits, ranging from improving your bone health to increasing your skin health.
Health Benefits of Consuming Collagen
Improves the Skin Health
Collagen is the amplest protein in the body, and it is an element that makes up the major components of your body.
One of its health benefits to the skin is it strengthens the skin, increases its elasticity in a healthy way, and keeps your skin hydrated. The result of this includes; the slowing of your skin aging process. That is, there will be lesser wrinkles on your skin as you age, compared to other aging people who do not consume collagen-rich foods or collagen supplements. Its hydration function helps prevents your skin from growing dry or breaking, thus, preventing the penetration of infectious bacteria into the body through the skin cracks. The slowing down of your skin aging process by collagen, as well as the reduction of excessive dryness of the skin, are as a result of collagen supplements and collagen peptides.
According to the survey, women who consumed collagen at least twice or three times per week have recorded significant changes in the elasticity of their skin. Also, more surveys showed that people who drank beverages that contained a mixture of collagen supplements experienced a higher rate of skin hydration and a slower rate of skin wrinkling compared to people who did not.
In most cases, research states that collagen supplements have the ability and high tendency of stimulating the body to make its own collagen.
Consuming collagen supplements can also help in the supply and production of other proteins in the body that can help structure your skin and promote your skin health.
Some other unverified means have claimed that collagen may also help in the treatment and improvement of certain skin conditions. Nevertheless, these claims have not been verified by science yet.
Relieves Pains in the Joint
Remember that collagen makes up almost all the components of your body, ranging from your bones to your cartilage, tendon, ligaments, and muscle. In this case, collagen is known for strengthening your cartilage to withstand the brush and pressure from the bones.
Naturally, as you grow older, studies found that the amount of collagen in your body reduces as well. This is why most aging people complain of muscle and joint aches. Reduction of collagen in the body as a result of old age can increase your risks of developing certain illnesses like osteoarthritis and numerous other joint degenerative diseases.
However, on the other hand, taking collagen supplements can help increase your collagen levels by stimulating your body to produce more collagen, thereby reducing your risks of developing illnesses like osteoarthritis and joint aches, especially the ones associated with aging.
According to studies, athletes who consumed collagen supplements experienced lesser joint pains during and after their activities compared to people who did not. Also, adults who consumed more collagen experienced a significant reduction in joint aches and lesser risks of degenerative joint diseases. These adults have also been found agile and engage themselves in more activities than those who did not consume collagen supplements.
Researchers have pointed out that collagen supplements can store themselves in the cartilage and make your tissues produce their own collagen. This process, according to them, can help reduce inflammation and provide enough support for the joints while reducing joint aches.
Reduces Bone Loss Risks
The bone naturally is mostly made up of collagen. The collagen in the bones is what gives your bones their structure and support. Just as the collagen in your body declines due to aging, your bone mass also does the same. The reduction in bone mass can increase your risk of having fractures due to the reduced bone density. Taking collagen supplements can help reduce the body processes that may lead to osteoporosis as you age.
Studies carried out on women who consumed collagen and calcium supplements combined experienced a lower level of blood protein, a component that can lead to bone breakdown, compared to women who only took calcium supplements. Also, taking collagen for up to 12 months can increase your bone mineral density by up to 7% reducing fractures and processes that cause the bones to grow weak.
Increase Muscle Mass
The muscle is made up of up to 10m% of collagen. The collagen protein functions majorly to keep the muscles strong, just like it keeps the bones, tendons, ligaments, and tissues strong in order to function properly.
Collagen supplements over the years have been associated with the reduction of the loss of muscle mass. It strengthens the muscles and keeps them strong enough to hold the body together and prevent muscle soreness, especially after physical activities.
The research found that people with sarcopenia (a muscle illness that is linked with old age) tend to experience a boost in their muscle mass.
Research conducted on a number of frail old men showed that after 12 weeks of consuming collagen supplements, they experienced a significantly high muscle strength and muscle density.
Researchers have discovered that the moderate consumption of collagen supplements can help encourage the synthesis of other proteins that cab enrich the muscle and stimulate muscle growth after exercise. Some of these other muscle-enriching proteins include creatine.
Protects the Heart
According to research, taking collagen supplements can protect the heart and promote heart health. This is done by reducing the risks of certain heart illnesses like cardiac arrest and heart attack.
In addition, it also gives a healthy structure and strength to your arteries, such that they are able to carry blood successfully from your heart to other parts of your body without growing fragile or weak. Lack of collagen can weaken the arteries, making them unable to carry out their blood transport functions properly.
When the arteries cannot perform their functions properly, then it can be said that you may develop illnesses like atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of the arteries, which is a causative factor for other major illnesses like stroke and heart attack.
The research found that taking at least 16 grams of collagen per day can help in the reduction of muscle stiffness, thereby reducing heart disease risks.
In addition, researchers have found that collagen supplements may help in the increment of the good cholesterol levels in your body. When the level of HDL- the good cholesterol in the body increases, it can reduce or eliminate completely your risks of developing certain heart illnesses, especially arteriosclerosis.
Other Benefits
Other health benefits of collagen include;
It strengthens and protects your hair and nails. It does this by reducing or eliminating the amount of brittleness of your hair and nails. It also ensures that the hair and nails grow healthily.
Some researchers have claimed that collagen supplements may help in the protection of gut health and in the reduction of certain gut illnesses like leaky gut.
It can also improve brain function. More people who consume collagen supplements experienced a change in their moods. They recorded an improved mood after taking collagen supplements for a number of months.
Collagen supplements help in the management and regulation of weighing, and most importantly, it plays a vital role in the reduction of weight. This is because it ensures a faster metabolic process in the body.
In conclusion, collagen supplements have been associated with a number of health benefits. Treat yourself to collagen supplements and let your skin thank you.
