Benefits of Taking Collagen
You may have heard lots of claims about the benefits of taking collagen. Here are some that we found to be not so obvious.
There aren’t many nutrients that are as important in the body as collagen. In fact, collagen accounts for around 30-40% of all the protein in your body!
Collagen has various important functions within the body. It is essential for giving structure to your skin as well as building muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen is also important for bone health.
You may still be wondering what collagen actually is and what it’s good for. Well, keep reading to find out all you need to know about the benefits of taking collagen.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a type of protein. It is a building block for bones, skin, tendons, muscles, and ligaments! Collagen is also found in blood vessels, teeth, nails, and other body parts.
There are different types of collagen but the most important are types 1, 2, 3, and 4. Type 1 collagen is the most abundant variety. It gives structure to the skin, bones, tendons, and teeth.
Type 2 collagen is found in the elastic cartilage around joints. Type 3 collagen plays a structural role in blood vessels, muscles, and bodily organs. Finally, type 4 collagen is found in the skin and hair.
Collagen has recently gained popularity as a nutrition supplement. It’s especially effective for older individuals. As you age, the body produces less and less collagen. That’s why taking collagen is associated with numerous benefits including an anti-aging effect.
So, what are the benefits of taking collagen? Keep reading to find out!
1. Younger Looking Skin
Collagen is important for healthy skin. It plays a structural role in the skin and helps maintain its elasticity.
The production of wrinkles when aging is due to the body producing less collagen. It, therefore, stands to reason that collagen supplements can make you look younger. In fact, this is supported by science!
Taking collagen supplements can reduce wrinkles and dryness. Collagen supplementation also stimulates the body to begin producing collagen on its own, adding further benefit.
Many people claim that collagen may cure acne and other skin conditions. Although there is no hard science to back this up, studies are being planned. Finally, collagen has been shown to improve wound healing.
2. Better Cardiovascular Health
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America?
The importance of looking after your heart cannot be stressed enough. And taking collagen supplements may help. Collagen is important for the structure of arteries – the vessels that supply the body with blood.
If collagen levels are too low, arteries can become fragile. This may cause the formation of plaques and the thickening of the arterial wall. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Doesn’t sound very good, does it?
You’ll be glad to know that science supports the use of collagen for preventing heart disease. Studies have found collagen supplementation can reduce artery stiffness and therefore increase cardiovascular health.
3. Helps Prevent Cancer
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US but cancer is a close second. Globally, one in every six deaths occurs due to cancer.
Increasing collagen levels and production may prevent cancer cells from metastasizing. Metastasis refers to the migration of cancer cells from one part of the body to another. This is how cancer spreads.
Scientists have found that healthy collagen can prevent the spread of cancer, while weak collagen may encourage it to spread. Building healthy collagen required various nutrients so ontop of supplementing collagen, it’s also important to make sure you’re eating a healthy diet.
4. Relieves Painful Joints
Collagen is effective at relieving joint pain. Collagen maintains healthy cartilage, which is the tissue around your joints. When this cartilage wears away, joints are no longer protected and can become inflamed. This is known as arthritis and leads to pain and discomfort.
Collagen levels decrease with age so you’re more likely to develop arthritis as you get older. If you’re reading this and starting to panic, don’t worry. Supplementing with collagen is an effective way to maintain healthy joints and decrease your likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
Scientists think that the extra collagen accumulates in cartilage and stimulates your body to make more. This can then lower inflammation and reduce pain and discomfort.
Collagen is awesome, isn’t it?
5. Can Prevent Bone Loss
Your bones are made up of a few different nutrients. These include calcium, phosphorous and, you guessed it, collagen!
In fact, collagen is the predominant component of bones and helps to give them strength and structure. As you age, bone mass deteriorates. This is how osteoporosis develops.
Taking collagen supplements can inhibit bone loss and help to prevent conditions like osteoporosis. Studies done on women have demonstrated an increase in bone density after supplementing with collagen. This is just another one of the many collagen benefits!
Supplementing with collagen is important, but so is boosting your body’s ability to make its own. That’s why you should increase your intake of nutrients that boost collagen production.
Nutrients That Support Collagen Production
Collagen is made in the body by combining two amino acids – proline and glycine. This process also requires vitamin C.
Therefore, it’s important to consume high-quality protein that contains these amino acids. Eggs, mushrooms, and dairy are all good sources of proline. Glycine can be found in pork, chicken, and gelatin.
You can boost your vitamin C intake by eating more citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers. You may also decide to use a good quality vitamin C supplement.
Experience the Benefits of Taking Collagen
Now you know all about the incredible benefits of taking collagen. But when it comes to nutrition supplements, quality can range. And a low-quality supplement may not offer any benefits at all.
That’s why it’s important to buy high-quality collagen.
We make a quality collagen powder. It’s a mixture of type 1 and 3 collagen and it’s made from grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine.
If you want to improve your health—why not start taking collagen? Head on over to our online store and get yours today.
