Better Skin Health with Collagen
When we talk about collagen, the first things that come to mind are hair and skin.
This makes perfect sense considering how collagen is a popular ingredient found in shampoos and body lotions.
What many people don’t realize is that there’s more to collagen than just taking care of our hair and skin. This protein also comes with other health benefits which we have detailed below.
Collagen Improves Skin Health
Collagen is primarily responsible for skin elasticity.
Also considered the most abundant protein in the body, collagen can help reduce both the effects of aging as well as wrinkles and there are studies to back this up.
One such study showed that several women who took a mixture of hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and minerals saw improvements in their skin compared to those who didn’t.
Some of the significant improvements seen were the reduced depth of their wrinkles, skin hydration, and skin elasticity.
Another study also showed that women who took collagen supplements for 8 weeks saw higher elasticity and moisture levels compared to those who didn’t.
Collagen Helps Increase Muscle Mass
People with active lifestyles should also consider taking collagen supplements because of its positive effects on muscle mass.
One study showed an increase in muscle mass among several participants who exercised regularly and took 15 grams of collagen per day for 12 weeks.
The same study also showed improvements in strength among the participants mentioned compared to those who didn’t take collagen.
Researchers believe that collagen somehow triggered the production of the proteins responsible for muscle growth though more research is still needed to verify this claim.
It Improves Joint Health
It’s no secret that joints begin to break down as a person ages.
It’s just the way life’s natural progression was designed but there is evidence to suggest that such deterioration can be averted with the use of collagen supplements.
Research suggests that using hydrolyzed collagen supplements helps promote healthy joints. The same research also suggests that the said supplements can also help restore bone density especially for people suffering from osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
More importantly, it also showed that collagen supplements can help reduce joint pain which would come in handy especially for older people.
Helps Prevent Bone Loss
Collagen production slows down as a person ages, making the bones weaker in the process.
This makes sense considering how collagen makes up a significant amount of our bone structure. With less collagen to support it, our bones will slowly lose strength.
Such an occurrence can lead to certain health conditions, the most likely of which is osteoporosis.
The good news is there is evidence to suggest that bone density and strength deterioration can be prevented through the use of collagen supplements.
One small study showed that people who took a combination of calcium and collagen (instead of calcium only) for a year had lower levels of a certain protein responsible for bone breakdown.
Other Potential Benefits
Though more studies are needed to verify such claims, there have been a handful of potential benefits that have been associated with collagen.
Some of these benefits include support for heart health, keeping a healthy gut, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Final Thoughts
With the health benefits it has to offer, it’s safe to say that collagen is essential especially as we grow older. The positive effects it has on bone loss, joint health, muscle mass, and skin can make a huge difference in the lives of people by allowing them to live conveniently and pain-free.
