What is Collagen and Why You Need it?
Taking Collagen Supplements
Before detailing some of the many benefits of collagen supplementation, let’s take a moment to identify a few natural sources. If you’re not a fan of supplementation, collagen is also found naturally in foods like pork and bone broth, for example, meaning you can receive the same health benefits through foods as you would in taking traditional supplements. It is worth noting, however, that most collagen supplements are hydrolyzed, meaning they can be absorbed easily by the body.
Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Take Collagen Supplements
1. Skin Health
As noted in the preface of this article, collagen is essential for healthy, youthful skin. By taking collagen supplements, either through food or synthetically, you’re able to combat the signs of premature aging as collagen helps improve the skin’s elasticity and also helps in keeping it hydrated. What causes the skin to develop fine lines and wrinkles in the first place? Well, as we age, the body no longer produces enough collagen to keep the skin hydrated, and as a result, it becomes dehydrated. This dehydration is the catalyst for wrinkle and fine lines that make us appear older than we are.
2. Joint and Pain Relief
Collagen is vital to cartilage, the tissue that supports joints; when the body produces less collagen, joint health starts to decline. In fact, in many cases, degenerative joint disorders like osteoarthritis soon follow and may cause problems with mobility. That said, collagen supplementation works to combat osteoarthritis symptoms and reduce joint pain in the process. How does it work, exactly? Well, although there is no scientific data to substantiate these claims, researchers believe that supplemental collagen is stored in our cartilage. When this happens, the body begins to naturally produce more collagen, a process that improves joint pain and resolves inflammation.
3. Bone Health
Along with improved joint health, collagen is a great way to keep bones strong; after all, a decrease in collagen production can lead to decreased bone mass, which, in turn, leads to weak, brittle bones that are more susceptible to being fractured.
4. Muscle Mass
Yes, collagen benefits your muscle too; in fact, collagen makes up 1 to 10 percent of our muscle mass. Since collagen is a protein, it improves both muscle strength and function. Collagen supplementation can be especially beneficial for those struggling with sarcopenia as it is a condition that contributes to muscle loss as we age.
5. Heart Health
Although not backed by scientific data, researchers are of the belief that collagen can be helpful in reducing heart-related health problems. How so, you ask? Well, collagen improves the structure of our arteries, which is how blood is transported from the heart to other areas of the body. If the arteries are weak, it means that they can impede the flow of blood to vital organs and may result in atherosclerosis, a condition that could potentially lead to cardiac arrest.
6. Additional Benefits
In addition to the many health benefits that can be gained through collagen supplementation, there are few honorable mentions. However, it should be noted these additional benefits have not been scientifically proven. They are, moreover, the opinions of those who have taken the supplement and have noticed specific health improvements including
- Brain health
- Weight loss
- Gut health
In summation, there is a myriad of benefits that come with increasing your daily intake of collagen. To that point, if your collagen levels are low, it would be in your best interest to either take collagen supplements or consume more foods that are rich in this protein.
