“Collagen comprises about 60% of cartilage, a very firm tissue that surrounds bones and cushions them from the shock of high-impact movements; so a breakdown in collagen could lead to a loss of cartilage and joint problems.”

Harvard School of Public Health

Collagen has become one of the most talked about and sought out supplements in the health and wellness industry. Collagen is no longer just a wrinkle cream. The benefits of taking collagen are numerous. So much so that some have dubbed it the ‘miracle’ supplement. If you are looking for the benefits of collagen supplementation, then you have come to the right place. Read on to find out some of those benefits as the experts reveal all!

What is Collagen, Exactly?

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Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is a key structural component of all our connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, skin, and bone.

The collagen molecule is composed of three polypeptide chains that are twisted together to form a triple helix. This structure gives collagen its strength and resilience.

In addition to its structural role, collagen plays an important role in wound healing and blood clotting.

Unfortunately, collagen production begins to decline as we age. As our collagen levels begin to dip we begin to see the early signs of aging like wrinkles, sagging skin, joint pain, stiffness and other age related health concerns.

What Role Does Collagen Play in the Human Body?

The word “collagen” comes from the Greek word “kolla,” meaning “glue.” This is an apt name for this protein, as it literally helps to hold our bodies together by supporting our cells.  

Collagen plays a vital role in keeping us looking young and feeling strong. When we are young, our collagen levels are at their peak, which is why our skin health is so great!

Collagen provides structural support for our bodies and connective tissue, supports bone mineral density, cushions our joints as they function, reduces inflammation, helps our bodies to heal when injured and provides a barrier against toxins and other agents that can damage tissue.

When it comes to our overall skin health, collagen is incredibly important!

The Different Types of Collagen

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It’s no surprise that since collagen has so many responsibilities in our body that there is more than one type of collagen. Here’s a look at the three main types of collagen and how they function.

Type I

• most abundant type
• skin, tendons, ligaments and bones
• strong and flexible

Type II

• cartilage
• elasticity
• cushions joints

Type III

• walls of blood vessels, organs, muscles
• promotes wound healing
• strong and flexible

Is it Safe to Take Collagen Supplements?

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Perhaps you are wondering if collagen supplements are right for you? Are they safe? The short answer to both of these questions is yes. Most people will reap the many health benefits of collagen by adding collagen peptide supplementation into their daily routine and generally speaking they’re perfectly safe for everyone.

That being said, collagen supplements may interfere with a few medications so if you are taking any medications, speak with your doctor to rule out any concerns.

Collagen supplements come in various forms such as powder, liquid or capsule. There are two main types of collagen: Bovine and Marine. Ultimately, the decision of which type of collagen to take comes down to a personal preference as your health will truly benefit from either one.

Bovine Collagen

• derived from cows (hide or bone)
• skin elasticity
• reduced joint pain
• targets inflammation
• usually less expensive
• more readily available
• higher levels of glucosamine & chondroitin (for joint health)

Marine Collagen

• derived from fish and shellfish
• usually  more expensive
• smaller collagen peptides (easier absorption)
• higher levels of certain amino acids
• reduced joint pain
• targets inflammation
• excellent for skin

The Benefits of Collagen Supplementation

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Now you know a little more about collagen and why it is such an important part of our overall health, especially as we age. So, is there a benefit to taking collagen? Absolutely! There are actually many benefits to adding collagen supplements to your daily wellness regime. 

Collagen supplements not only helps to replenish the collagen loss in our bodies as we age by boosting our levels but studies have shown that taking collagen supplements full of collagen peptides can actually stimulate our bodies’ natural collagen synthesis.

Skin

We need collagen to keep our skin looking young and healthy. As our ability to produce collagen declines, skin aging begins. We lose our skin elasticity and firmness, leaving it dry, wrinkled and sagging.

Collagen supplements can improve skin hydration, making skin more plump and radiant, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, restoring skin elasticity, structure and even assist with healing when injured.

Bone Health

Collagen makes up a large portion of our bone tissue. It plays an important role in bone formation and repair. Unfortunately, less collagen as we age leads to weak bones and an increased risk of fractures and breakage.

Collagen supplementation can help to offset this age-related decline in collagen production, improving bone density and reducing the risk of fractures.

Body Composition

Our bodies need collagen to not only work properly but to also remain healthy! As our collagen levels begin to drop we see the tell tale signs of aging but also this is most likely when we will see the onset of various health concerns.

Taking collagen supplements helps to ensure our bodies have the building blocks necessary for maintaining healthy tissues. This allows our body composition (percentage of fat, muscle, bone and water) to be at its best. When our body composition becomes compromised it can lead to weight gain, pain, stiffness, poor gut health, mobility issues and a host of health concerns.

Joint Pain

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Joint pain is a common complaint among adults, and can be caused by a variety of factors including arthritis, injury, and inflammation. While there are many potential treatments for joint pain, many find relief through collagen supplementation. 

Collagen provides the body with amino acids that are essential for building muscle and repairing tissues. This all works together to improve the health of connective tissues including tendons and ligaments.

Evidence reveals that collagen reduces inflammation which is so often the reason we struggle with joint pain as we age.

Heart Disease

Collagen is a protein that helps to keep blood vessels, arteries, and veins healthy. It also plays a role in supporting the cardiovascular system by keeping the heart muscle strong.

Collagen supplements reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol levels, and protect against oxidative stress.

Experts believe that collagen peptides help to improve the elasticity of arteries and prevent the formation of plaque. All of these effects can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health. 

Other Uses

In addition to the above mentioned health and anti-aging benefits, adding collagen to your diet has also been shown to improve gut health, reduce inflammation throughout the entire body, and promote healthy hair and nails. With so many potential benefits, it’s no wonder that collagen supplementation is becoming increasingly popular. 

Possible Side Effects of Collagen

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For the most part, because collagen is a natural protein that our bodies produce there are very few side effects. For those who are allergic to seafood or shellfish though there is immediate concern of allergic reaction especially to marine collagen so be sure to know all the ingredients in the supplement of choice.

Collagen peptides can be hard for some bodies to absorb in large doses and could result in diarrhea/digestive issues such as bloating or gas. Beginning with a lower dosage and increasing gradually usually prevents such issues.

How Long Until I See Results?

Adding collagen to your daily routine does not mean an instant fix. Various factors like your overall health, your age, the reason you have decided to take collagen (wrinkles or joint pain) will impact the time frame for seeing results.

On average a relatively healthy person should see results of collagen supplementation anywhere between 3 – 8 weeks. It is important to be patient when working to improve your health.

How to Choose the Right Collagen Supplement

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When it comes to collagen supplements, there are a lot of choices out there. How do you know which one is right for you? Here are a few things to consider:

1. What is your goal in taking a collagen supplement? Are you looking to improve skin health, joint function, or gut health? There are different types of collagen that target specific areas, so be sure to choose one that is suited for your needs.
2. Think about your budget. Collagen supplements can vary widely in price, so it’s important to find one that fits within your budget.
3. Take into account any other dietary restrictions you may have. For example, if you are vegetarian or vegan, you’ll want to find a collagen supplement that does not contain any animal products.

Once you’ve considered these factors, you should have a better idea of which collagen supplement is right for you. Just be sure the supplement you choose is a quality product from a reliable source.

The Bottom Line 

We have covered a lot of information in our guide ‘The Benefits Of Taking Collagen: The Experts Reveal All!’ That’s because when it comes to your health and general wellbeing, we want you to be able to make an informed decision. 

So, is there a benefit to taking collagen for you? There sure is! Experts believe that everyone can benefit from taking collagen. Be sure to check out our Health BLOG and collagen product page where you will find even more reasons as to why you should begin collagen supplementation today! 

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