Collagen for Weight Loss? Here’s What the Science Says
In a hurry? Click here to read the Article Summary...
You may have heard about collagen’s ability to help with skin firmness, joint and gut health, and stronger hair, nails, and teeth… but what about collagen for weight loss? Is that among its many purported benefits? Indeed it is. Studies have shown a link between collagen supplementation and weight loss – and the mechanisms for this connection may surprise you.
Most of Us Are Deficient in Collagen
Poor diet, stress, lack of sleep… all of these factors play a part in a little-known epidemic of low collagen in adult bodies. Approximately 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by some kind of digestive disease, resulting in close to 50 million outpatient visits each year because of GI tract-related issues [1].
At the same time, most people on the planet succumb to the “normal” loss of muscle mass loss as they age: up to 40% [2] less by the time they reach age 40!
Of course, there are many reasons for these shocking statistics. One thing they have in common, however, is that collagen plays a major role in both GI and connective tissue health.
The fact is that a person simply couldn’t survive, let alone sit up straight, without collagen. It is a protein, and one of the most abundant found in your body. It’s what makes up the interior lining of the gut as well as forms connective tissue. Collagen is a central ingredient for hair formation and its glue-like consistency forms the intricate tissues of the skin at all levels. As we age, we lose it, which is what causes our skin to wrinkle.
The Connection Between Collagen and Weight Loss
So, what does all this have to do with collagen for weight loss? Good question! Here are the three main ways that collagen can contribute to a slimmer, more toned figure:
#1 – Collagen Helps the Gut
Collagen helps with the break down of fats and proteins in the gut. The amino acid glycine within collagen also helps maintain the proper pH in the stomach and stimulates gastric juices. Collagen types I and III are literally the raw materials for the connective tissue in the digestive system and there is increasing evidence that collagen supplementation can help repair the intestines and even heal Leaky Gut (aka intestinal permeability).
A 2003 Greek study found that people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome had lower serum collagen levels than those who did not have this connection [3]. A healthy GI tract means more nutrient absorption and less “waste around your waist” as well as less gas and bloat. That’s good news for your health in general, as well as your waistline.
#2 – Collagen Helps Build Muscle Mass
In fact, collagen IS the “stuff” that makes up connective tissues and muscles in the body! It’s a fact that getting the right amount of collagen your body needs can turn “flabby weight” into muscle, as long as you couple your supplementation with a healthy diet and strength training.
A 2016 report [4] in the International Journal of Medical Sciences found that collagen peptide supplementation helped to curb obesity in menopausal women by preventing muscle mass loss. According to the researchers, “collagen supplementation can complete its anti-obesity activity with minor side effects in menopausal women.”
#3 – Collagen Speeds Metabolism
In the same vein, collagen helps to gently give metabolism a little “kick in the pants” along the way. And here is something that you may not have known: muscle mass has a direct effect on metabolism. This change may be subtle but over time, can be significant.
For example, the University of Maryland [5] researchers analyzed a group of men age 50-65 during an 18-week strength training regime. During the time, the men gained about 2.8 pounds of fat-free mass. At the same time, their metabolic rate increased by a little over 250 calories a day.
And if all this doesn’t convince you, check this out. One study found that just 12 weeks of consistent collagen supplementation reduced fat mass in participants by up to 10 pounds [6]!
Build Muscle, Lose Fat the Natural Way
Does this mean that you can simply power down a collagen shake every day and never have to work out again? No way! The fact is that nothing replaces a quality, well-balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle. This includes plenty of movement, stress management [7], self-care, and detoxification.
But collagen supplementation can be an easy and powerful tool to add to your health and fitness toolbox. It’s an amazing substance that every cell in your body simply cannot live without. With enough of it, your body can thrive. What’s more, getting the best collagen supplement can help you LOOK and FEEL younger, stronger, and possibly even slimmer in the process!
Organixx Clean Sourced Collagens blend contains five types of collagen from four sources. What’s more, it’s combined with targeted nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 which specifically enhance the bioavailability and potency of collagen. Clean Sourced Collagens is formulated from the ground up to enhance and support your body’s natural ability to heal and rebuild itself from the INSIDE out.
Sources:
Article Summary
Studies have shown a link between collagen supplementation and weight loss.
Poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep all play a part in a little-known epidemic of low collagen in adult bodies.
Collagen helps with the break down of fats and proteins in the gut.
Getting the right amount of collagen your body needs can help turn “flabby weight” into muscle when accompanied with a healthy diet and strength training.
Collagen helps to give your metabolism a little “kick in the pants.”
Collagen supplementation with a high-quality collagen formula can be an easy and powerful tool to add to your health and fitness toolbox. With enough of it your body can thrive.
Check out our Clean Sourced Collagens.
Do you ship to Iran?
Hello Margot, We appreciate your interest in our products. While we do ship internationally, unfortunately we do not ship to Iran at this time. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Have a great day! :)
When is the best time to take the Collagen?
Hi Cara, Collagen can be taken at any time during the day with or without food. A good source of collagen like our Clean Sourced Collagens will have tryptophan in it. Tryptophan is usually well tolerated by most. However, if you feel it helps with sleep then you may consider taking it in the evening. Have a great day! :)
✅ I have recently been told by a beauty /skin clinic that collagen will not improve
my skin( I’m 70 yrs old). The therapist suggested Zinc and magnesium are the
most beneficial for the skin.
Thank you
Chris
Hi Chris! Thank you for your comment. I totally understand the confusion surrounding the benefits of collagen as a supplement. We start to lose collagen in our twenties. Additional collagen is usually needed at some point after that. However, collagen needs cofactors so that our bodies can absorb it and also so that we can get a boost in our own bodies production of it. Zinc is one of those cofactors. Zinc is an essential trace mineral vital for many functions in the body, including collagen synthesis. It’s a “co-factor” for the production of new collagen while also helping to slow the breakdown of collagen in the body. Our Clean Sourced Collagens does contain zinc for these reasons. Magnesium also supports the synthesis of collagen. So a collagen supplement paired with zinc and magnesium would be a powerhouse tool to support the bodies production of collagen. You can find out more about our Clean Sourced Collagens here: https://bit.ly/csc-shop-ox Please always speak to your doctor before starting any supplement. I hope you find this information helpful. Have an awesome day!
THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE SEEMS TO WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT , I WANT MORE FLESH ON MY OLD BONES, WILL COLLAGEN DO IT ??
Thanks for your question, M.
The Clean Sourced Collagens is not formulated specifically for weight gain, however, you may visit our online store and browse all of our products by using the filter on the left side of the page according to their health benefits, for more information:
shop.organixx.com
We hope this helps!
Will this product help with saggy skin?
Hi Marion, thanks for your question.
Collagen actually helps improve skin health and firmness. Research shows that supplementing with collagen can help smooth wrinkles, keep skin taut and plump, increase energy, and promote joint health and flexibility.
We would love to invite you to read more about this topic on this article we published:
https://organixx.com/collagen-skin-health/
We hope you find everything informative.
Thank you and we wish you a lovely day!