What Will Happen If I Stop Taking Collagen? Your Questions Answered

The wellness world is all abuzz with collagen and collagen supplements right now. According to recent studies, collagen is not only the key to maintaining healthy skin, joints, and gut but is a big part of aging well. But maybe you’re wondering “What will happen if I stop taking collagen?”

It’s no wonder that this natural protein has become a popular supplement, with people of all ages looking for ways to slow down the aging process. 

But what is the answer to your questions:

• What will happen if I stop taking collagen?
• Will my skin start to sag?
• Will my joints ache?
• Will my digestive system suffer?

To get the answers to the questions you might have, we turned to leading experts in the field of nutrition and aging. Here’s what they had to say about the benefits of collagen and what you can expect if you decide to stop taking it.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a crucial structural protein that’s found in the human body. It is the main component of connective tissue, such as tendons, ligaments, and skin. Collagen is responsible for the strength and elasticity of these tissues. 

It also plays a role in wound healing. Collagen is produced by cells called fibroblasts. The body’s supply of collagen diminishes with age because our bodies naturally reduce the production of collagen. This is what leads to wrinkles, dry skin, aching joints, and other signs of getting older.

Why Do People Take Collagen?

Collagen supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years, as people look for ways to maintain youthful skin and improve their overall health in the hopes of building the best defense against aging.  

While you can get collagen proteins from foods like bone broth, citrus, and leafy greens, many people find that collagen supplementation is the best way to maintain optimal collagen levels. 

Collagen supplements are derived from animal sources like cows, pigs, or fish, and they contain high levels of bioactive collagen peptides. Bioactive collagen peptides are short-chain amino acids that are derived from hydrolyzed collagen. These peptides have been shown to stimulate collagen production within our body which supports our health and well-being. 

There are many reasons that people add collagen supplements to their health and beauty regimes. Let’s take a look at some of those benefits. 

Studies have shown that collagen supplementation can:

• improve skin elasticity/skin hydration
• strengthen nails
• stimulate healthy hair
• reduce wrinkles
• ease joint pain
• promote gut health 
• improve bone health/bone density
• reduce inflammation
• repair damaged tissue

Collagen supplementation has been shown to help offset the loss of collagen proteins our bodies produce as we age by providing the body with the raw materials it needs to produce more collagen.

For many people, taking collagen supplements is an easy way to enjoy the benefits of balanced collagen levels without making major changes to their diet or lifestyle.

What Exactly is in Collagen Supplements?

Collagen supplements are designed to help replenish the body’s supply of this vital protein. Most collagen supplements on the market today come from either bovine or marine sources. 

Bovine collagen comes from cow skin and connective tissue, while marine collagen is derived from fish skin and scales. Both types of collagen are rich in the amino acids glycine and proline, which are essential for wound healing and tissue regeneration. 

Collagen supplements often contain other nutrients like vitamin C, which helps the body to synthesize new collagen. When choosing a collagen supplement, it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences. 

So how do these supplements work? When you consume collagen, it’s broken down into smaller peptides by your digestive system. These peptides then circulate through your bloodstream and bind to receptors on cells that need repair or regeneration. This process helps to promote the growth of new cells and the production of more collagen. While there’s no guarantee that taking a collagen supplement will completely prevent the effects of growing older, it may help to slow down the process and improve the health 

There are a few different types of collagen supplements on the market, so it’s important to do your research and find one that contains high-quality ingredients. If you have any allergies or sensitivities, be sure to read the label carefully to ensure that this particular supplement is right for you.

Can You Take Too Much Collagen?

Experts say that it’s unlikely that you would consume too much collagen from food sources since our bodies are very efficient at breaking down and using this protein. 

If you’re taking supplements, it’s possible to take more than your body needs. While there are no major side effects of taking too much collagen, you may find your body responds with digestive issues, discomfort, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness. You will also end up wasting your money since your body will simply excrete any excess protein. 

Know your body and watch for any such signs or changes. The solution of course is simply to reduce the amount you are taking. 

Diet VS Supplements

When it comes to improving your collagen levels, there are two main options: diet and supplements. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each approach.

Diet is often touted as the best way to improve collagen levels. After all, what you put into your body has a direct impact on your health. Eating foods rich in collagen-boosting nutrients like vitamin C can help increase your body’s natural production of this important protein. 

Consuming foods that contain collagen can help to replenish your stores of this vital substance but, nutrition alone may not be enough to provide adequate collagen levels, especially as you age. Supplementation can help to fill in the gaps and ensure that your body has the raw materials it needs to maintain optimal collagen levels.

Collagen supplements are a convenient and effective way to improve collagen levels because they provide a concentrated dose of nutrients. Supplements are usually absorbed more quickly than food, which means a more immediate effect on collagen production. Ultimately, collagen supplements should be used in conjunction with diet for the best results. 

At the end of the day, both diet and supplements can play a role in improving collagen levels. The best approach is always to focus on eating nutritiously that contains plenty of collagen-boosting nutrients while also taking a supplement designed to support optimal collagen production.

What Happens When You Stop Taking Collagen?

We know that there are many benefits to taking collagen supplements but perhaps you find yourself asking: what will happen if I stop taking collagen? 

First and foremost, experts assure you that there’s no need to worry! You won’t experience any withdrawal symptoms or other adverse side effects when you stop taking your collagen supplement regardless of how long you have been taking it. 

That being said, your skin might not look as good as it did when you were taking the supplement. That’s because collagen is great for your skin, hair, and nails. It helps to keep them strong and healthy. Without collagen, you may start to see more wrinkles, dryness, and sagging skin. Your hair may become dry and less lustrous and your nails more brittle. 

Because collagen is so beneficial to the health of our joints, you might notice that your joints may not be as healthy as they were when you were taking collagen. You may notice increased joint pain when you stop taking collagen. Collagen helps to keep them lubricated and prevents the breakdown of cartilage. 

Since collagen plays an important role in bone health, without enough of it, bones can become weaker and more prone to fractures. This is due to the fact that your collagen levels do indeed affect your bone density. 

It’s also possible that your gut health may suffer when you stop taking collagen. Collagen is great for gut health and helps to keep your digestive system functioning properly. This is why stopping your collagen supplement may have an effect on your digestive system. 

If you’re thinking about stopping collagen supplementation, or have already done so, be sure to watch for any of the above-mentioned signs. Should you experience any of them, it’s important to talk to your healthcare professional to ensure that stopping collagen is or was the right decision for you.

The Bottom Line

Collagen supplements are a great way to maintain or improve your overall health especially as you age. Do your research and understand your health concerns and possible needs you might have so that you can age well. 

Aging is a process and staying as healthy as possible throughout that process takes effort. An informed person is one who is equipped to be their healthiest right now and as they age. We encourage you to check out the many resources and articles available on our Health BLOG. There you will find all that you need and more to live your best healthy life. 

To also help you understand and be informed about supplements and health products be sure to check out our collagen product page. 

Your health matters and we’re here for you!

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