Collagen, also known as the "body's natural bond," is a vital protein that orchestrates a symphony of functions within the human body.
Health observers are even dubbing it as an "unsung hero working behind the scenes," supporting our bodies in ways we don't always realize.
What's more, collagen has become a health and wellness sensation, embracing the limelight and being celebrated for its numerous benefits.
Who wouldn't want to have their skin blessed with an enviable bounce, with their joints moving smoothly and efficiently?
Let's admit that we all would want to have that fountain of youth, as promised by the collagen bandwagon. Join us as we explore the delightful benefits of collagen in your daily routine!
Reason # 1:
Collagen Improves Skin Health
Collagen is a vital protein that gives your skin a youthful appearance, improving its plumpness, tautness, and youthful glow. However, our collagen levels decrease as we age—no wonder it's found in many skin care products today.
As this protein has become a buzzword in the health and beauty industries, beauty consumers have been purchasing it as a skincare ingredient and a health supplement.
Naturopathic nutritionists observe that collagen ensures our connective tissues' elasticity, cohesion, and regeneration, resulting in our skin's youthful glow.
Yet, as mentioned in a Harvard health report, collagen production declines as we age, and levels begin to drop as early as our 20s. This explains why the market is flooded with products that claim to help our declining collagen levels.
Reason # 2:
Collagen Improves Joint Support
Collagen has been extensively studied as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and joint support.
Recent research from the Arthritis Foundation showed that hydrolyzed collagen significantly reduces pain and stiffness in people with knee osteoarthritis.
With collagen being anti-inflammatory, scientists have also reported that it could help patients with these joint-related diseases, according to the Foundation.
In a study, 100 postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) were shown to have improved within a year of taking five grams of collagen peptides daily and lower blood pressure.
Reason # 3:
Collagen Supports Hair And Nail Strength
New research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed that collagen directly deposited in hair follicles promotes hair growth while the body uses collagen production for more essential organs.
Recent studies have shown that supplementing with the necessary amino acid peptides allows the body to produce enough collagen to prevent or improve brittle nails from the inside out.
In a separate study, participants who took a 2.5-gram liquid collagen supplement daily for 24 weeks experienced a 12% increase in nail growth and a 42% reduction in broken nails.
Reason # 4:
Collagen Promotes Gut Health
Collagen's role in gut health, particularly in a poor diet, is critical for a robust immune system. This protein promotes a healthy microbiome, essential to our immune response and strengthens our natural defences.
As experts inform, collagen is essential in reversing the adverse effects of a poor diet on the immune system. Its contribution to a healthy digestive system directly impacts our body's ability to resist illness.
Reason # 5:
Collagen Increases Muscle Mass And Metabolism
Collagen supplements may enhance satiety or the sensation of fullness. This could help with weight loss and management by reducing hunger and, as a result, the number of calories consumed each day.
Medical News Today research shows that high-protein diets boost satiety hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 and cholecystokinin while inhibiting ghrelin, a hunger hormone.
Increased protein intake was also found to boost thermogenesis, which affects satiety and energy expenditure.
Meanwhile, higher-protein diets promote muscle protein anabolism, "favoring the retention of lean muscle mass while improving metabolic profile." With muscle development being an essential part of weight loss, collagen supplements provide health benefits by increasing muscle mass.
Reason # 6:
Collagen Speeds Up Wound Healing
Oral collagen effectively treats open wounds and can speed up the healing process. This can also boost skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal collagen density, providing anti-ageing benefits!
And for the moms-to-be, here's some good news!
Collagen can further be used to promote wound healing after a cesarean section. It is reported as one of the most effective methods for healing deep wounds quickly.
A study on collagen wound healing for cesarean sections discovered collagen can significantly accelerate wound healing following surgery. This is fantastic news for expectant mothers!
Reason # 7:
Collagen Improves Heart Health
Collagen has been found to maintain the shape of our arteries and blood vessels, and collagen deficiency has been found to cause artery weakness.
Meanwhile, fragile blood vessels increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Results of scientific research show that those taking collagen powder enjoyed improved artery health with reduced risks of atherosclerosis.
Collagen provides structure to your arteries, keeping blood flowing to and from your heart. Taking collagen supplements can reduce artery stiffness and raise "good" HDL cholesterol levels in the body, lowering the chances of developing heart problems.
Reason # 8:
Collagen Helps Improve Sleep
Collagen supplement intake may seem counterintuitive, as it all comes down to a compound known as glycine. Glycine is a component of collagen, so taking a collagen supplement gives your body more of this critical amino acid, which is essential for many natural processes in the body, including sleep.
Reports from the Sleep Foundation show that taking glycine before bed improves the length and quality of sleep. This can further help by alleviating the symptoms of sleep deprivation, such as anxiety, low energy levels, and impaired cognitive function.
In one study, participants who took glycine reported feeling more energized and less affected by a lack of sleep than those in another group while also enjoying improved recall and concentration.
Reason # 9:
Collagen Helps Improve Mood and Hormonal Balance
With earlier mentions of the numerous benefits of collagen, it's also been shown to improve hormonal health!
Studies report on how collagen affects over 50 hormones in the body, including mood swings, hunger hormones, and intermittent hormonal imbalances. This research points out collagen's positive effects on balancing hormones and managing stress.
In a 2021 study by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, collagen can reduce cortisol's adverse effects on our skin, allowing you to have a more youthful complexion while also lowering the risk of developing chronic health conditions in the future.
Reason # 10:
Collagen Improves Athletic Performance
Collagen is one of the best and most effective recovery proteins, either for athletes or regular gym-goers. It helps to repair and build tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage that have been overstretched during workouts or training.
Tendons, ligaments, joints, and fascia make up 90% of connective tissue, making them one of the body's most essential components for structural support.
With creatine necessary for muscle contraction during exercise, collagen components aid in synthesizing creatine in our bodies. This can also boost athletic performance during brief bouts of muscle contraction.
Collagen As An Important Ingredient For A Healthy Life
Collagen is the body's most prevalent protein, with its fiber-like structure used to form connective tissues.
These connective tissues compose the essential components of skin, muscles, bones, tendons, and cartilage. They help make tissues stronger and more resilient, allowing them to withstand stretching.
Health experts warn, however, that our bodies gradually
produce less collagen as we age. Collagen production drops most quickly due to excessive sun exposure, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a lack of sleep and exercise.
"Collagen production decreases as we age, giving rise to wrinkled and sagging skin that disturbs many middle-agers as they contemplate their reflection in a mirror."
Collagen supplements, reputed to be the "Fountain of Youth," promise to reverse skin ageing and are often promoted with stories about Chinese women historically relying on eating pig's feet, shark fins and donkey skin to smooth wrinkles. Not exactly hard science."
Whether you choose Zumba, Tai Chi, Pilates, or light resistance training, these are great functional fitness activity options to combat weak collagen production and ageing.
These physical activities can help boost muscle mass, flexibility, balance, and optimal health, especially among older adults.
Best Collagen Supplements For You
More people—including health buffs, fitness aficionados, or those simply curious about anti-ageing solutions—consider collagen a best-selling supplement.
Google Trends reported that online searches on this "wonder pill" have skyrocketed to a steady increase since 2014. With an abundance of collagen brands available online and in physical stores, all and sundry are aware of its promises to have the critical components of the fountain of youth – improving your hair, skin, nails, and overall health.
Scientific studies have found that oral collagen supplements in the form of pills, powders, and certain foods are more effectively absorbed by the body. These supplements are growing in popularity with consumers. They may be marketed as collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen, which are broken-down forms of collagen that are easier to absorb.
UK-based supplement manufacturers claim to provide high-quality Collagen Peptides (Hydrolysate) with 20 different amino acids that may benefit connective tissue health. Derived from grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle from Argentina and Brazil, these are packaged in Europe.
The collagen proponents have made this brand of Collagen Peptides (Hydrolysate) almost tasteless, colorless, and odorless, making it easy to consume. Because they do not thicken in cold liquids, the supplements are ideal for hot or cold beverages, smoothies, or recipes. Further, these are also glyphosate-free, non-GMO, kosher, keto-compliant, and paleo-friendly.
"We aim to bring you natural and top-quality supplements that are bioavailable and easy for your body to utilize. Also, get the most out of your exercise and workouts with our range of proteins," the company experts affirmed.
With its collagen brands, the UK-based team offers "top-quality manufacturing processes, rigorous product testing, and premium ultra-pure ingredients so that the very best nutritional supplements are delivered to you and your client base."
Conclusion:
For all you health buffs and beauty-conscious individuals, collagen has become quite popular as a supplement due to its various benefits, making it a sought-after choice for those aiming to improve their overall health, beauty and wellness.
Offering a comprehensive solution for skin care, joint support, and more, collagen presents a well-rounded approach to sustaining vitality and well-being.
Whether you seek to boost your outward appearance, care for your joints, or nurture your internal well-being, collagen could hold the secret to rejuvenating your youthful essence from the inside out.
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