What Happens If You Stop Taking Collagen

Have you gotten on board with the ever-popular health trend of collagen supplementation? If you have, you’re certainly not alone. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, and it’s responsible for a whole host of important functions, from providing structure to our skin and bones to helping with joint and gut health.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you stopped taking collagen? In this blog post, we’ll explore what collagen is, the effects of discontinuing collagen supplementation, and what collagen can’t do. Stay tuned!

What is Collagen, Exactly? 

If you’ve ever been wandering down the beauty aisle, you’ve likely seen products that claim to contain collagen peptides or found little bottles claiming to be collagen powder. But what is collagen, exactly? In short, collagen is one of the major proteins that occurs naturally in the human body. It’s what keeps our skin glowing, healthy, and firm.

This natural production is abundant in our early years of life, but as we age, our collagen levels start to deplete. This is the main cause of all those pesky signs of aging that we’ve come to dread including wrinkles, sagging skin, and achy joints.

That’s why many people turn to taking collagen supplements in an effort to reduce the signs and symptoms of aging. Some studies have shown that taking collagen supplements can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles, however, more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Types of Collagen 

There are many different types of collagen, each with its own unique benefits. For example, Type I collagen is the most abundant type of collagen in the human body, and it plays a critical role in supporting skin and bone health.

Type II collagen, on the other hand, is found in cartilage and connective tissue, and it helps to keep these tissues healthy and strong.

Type III collagen is often found in connective tissue, such as tendons and ligaments, and it helps to provide structure and support for these tissues.

Finally, Type IV collagen is found in the basement membranes of cells, and it helps to keep these membranes strong and functioning properly.

These are just a few of the many different types of collagen that are found in the human body. Each type plays an important role in keeping our bodies healthy and functioning properly.

What happens if you stop taking collagen? 

As with most supplements or vitamins that you introduce to your body, when you stop taking it, your body will eventually revert back to its pre-supplemented state. This doesn’t happen immediately, and it may take a few weeks or even months for your body to go back to how it was before. However, you may start to experience some joint pain, dull skin, and brittle nails in the meantime. These are all signs that your body is lacking in collagen.

Of course, everyone is different, so not everyone will experience the same symptoms. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all. However, if you’re thinking of stopping your collagen supplement, it’s always best to do so slowly and take note of any drastic effects you feel or notice.

What does collagen do? 

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, making up around 30% of its total protein content. It’s found in the bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and is responsible for giving them all their strength and elasticity. As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen proteins, which is why wrinkles and saggy skin start to appear. Supplementing with collagen can help to reduce the signs of aging and improve joint health, hair and nail quality, and even metabolism. 

Let’s take a look at just what you can experience when you give your natural collagen production a little boost.

Increases muscle mass

Collagen helps to increase muscle mass in two ways: by helping the muscles to recover more quickly after a workout, and by providing them with extra amino acids that are essential for building muscle tissue.

Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins, including collagen. When you workout, your muscles break down collagen and other proteins in order to repair and build new muscle tissue.

Improves your skin 

By taking a collagen supplement, you can help to replenish the collagen in your skin, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Additionally, collagen can also help to improve the elasticity of your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. So if you’re looking for a way to achieve healthier, more youthful-looking skin, a collagen supplement might be worth considering.

Protects you from bone loss 

As we get older, our bones start to break down at a faster rate than they can be built up. This results in a gradual loss of bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis. Collagen plays an important role in bone health, as it helps to keep the bones strong and healthy. By taking a collagen supplement, you can help to reduce the rate of bone loss and maybe even prevent osteoporosis.

Improves your heart health

Collagen helps to keep your cardiovascular system healthy and functioning properly. It works by keeping your arteries and veins strong and elastic, and by helping to prevent the formation of harmful plaque. It also helps to regulate blood pressure and keep your blood clotting system working properly. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your heart health, be sure to include collagen in your diet!

Strengthens your nails 

As collagen helps to keep your skin healthy, it also does the same for your hair and nails. Collagen provides the proteins that give your nails their strength ang sheen. As we age, nails tend to become more brittle and are prone to breaking. Giving your body an extra boost of collagen can prevent breakage and keep your nails strong and hard.

Increases your hair growth 

Like nails, collagen also helps to keep hair strong and healthy. It provides the building blocks that are necessary for hair growth, and can even help to prevent hair loss. Collagen gives hair its sleek shine and protects the ends from breaking too much.

Relieves your joint pain 

Ah, achy joints. It’s an inevitable part of getting older and unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do about it. Collagen is one of the proteins that lubricates joints and maintains mobility throughout the years. It’s important to keep collagen levels up to help reduce joint pain and inflammation later on in life.

Improves your sleep quality 

Collagen can also help to improve your sleep quality. The amino acids in collagen have a calming effect on the body and can help you to fall asleep more easily. Additionally, collagen can help to reduce the number of times you wake up during the night. So if you’re struggling with insomnia, consider adding a collagen supplement to your nightly routine.

What Collagen Can’t Do 

Although there are plenty of benefits to taking collagen, there is a limit as to what it can do for you. Here are a few things you should know before starting a collagen supplement:

No proof in treating skin conditions 

While many people claim that collagen supplements are the key to their healthy, glowing skin, there’s no scientific evidence to support the claim that collagen can help to treat conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. Collagen may improve the appearance of your skin, but it won’t actually treat any underlying conditions.

No evidence in treating acne scars 

If you were expecting collagen to be a magical cure to those old acne scars you have, you may be in for a shock. Collagen can help to improve the overall appearance of your skin, but it won’t be able to rid you of those obnoxious blemishes. Many collagen-laced creams will claim that they are the cure-all to your spots and scars, but be prepared for the very likely possibility that you’ll carry those scars with you.

No studies prove that it causes weight loss 

There are a lot of people who claim that collagen helped them to lose weight, but there’s just no hard evidence to support this claim. Collagen may help you to feel fuller for longer and it may improve your gut health, but it won’t actually cause you to lose weight.

Are collagen supplements safe? 

Yes, collagen supplements are generally considered to be safe. However, it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement, just to be on the safe side. Additionally, if you have any food allergies, you’ll want to make sure that the collagen supplement you choose does not contain any ingredients that you’re allergic to.

There are little to no side effects from taking collagen. The most that may happen is gastrointestinal issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea. However, these side effects are usually only temporary and will go away once your body gets used to the supplement. If you experience any severe side effects, it’s important to stop taking the supplement immediately and speak with your doctor.

The Bottom Line…

So, what happens if you stop taking collagen? If you’ve been taking collagen for a while and then stop, you may notice that your nails become weaker, your hair starts to thin, and your joints become achy. However, these effects are usually only temporary and will go away once you start taking collagen again. Additionally, there are little to no side effects from taking collagen, so you can generally stop and start taking it without any problems.

If you’d like to learn more about collagen and the supplemental world, be sure to check out these other health articles, or browse through these clean sourced collagen products for yourself.

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