Collagen is an important component in bones, skin, muscles and other parts of the body. Here are the benefits of collagen supplements that you should know.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It is a major component of the connective tissues that make up several body parts, including tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles. Collagen has many important functions, including providing structure to the skin and strengthening bones.
Benefits of collagen
Collagen is a major component of the skin
Collagen plays a role in skin strengthening, as well as elasticity and hydration. As you age, your body produces less collagen, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles. However, some studies have shown that collagen peptides or supplements containing collagen can help slow down your skin’s aging process by reducing wrinkles and dryness.
A review of 11 studies that focused mainly on women found that taking 3–10 grams of collagen daily for an average of 69 days improved skin elasticity and hydration. These supplements may work by stimulating your body to produce its own collagen. Additionally, collagen supplements can boost the production of other proteins that help structure your skin, including elastin and fibrillin.
Joint pain relief
As the amount of collagen in your body decreases with age, your risk of degenerative joint disorders like osteoarthritis increases. Some studies suggest that collagen supplements may help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce joint pain in general.
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Prevent osteoporosis
Just as collagen in your body declines with age, so does bone mass. This can lead to conditions like osteoporosis, which is characterized by low bone density and a higher risk of fracture. So using collagen supplements can help inhibit the bone breakdown that leads to osteoporosis.
Can increase muscle mass
As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is an important component of skeletal muscle. Studies show that collagen supplements help increase muscle mass in people with sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass that occurs with age.
In a 12-week study, 27 older men with the condition took 15 grams of collagen while participating in an exercise program. Compared to men who exercised but didn’t supplement with collagen, they gained significant muscle mass and strength.
Researchers have suggested that collagen supplements may promote muscle protein synthesis, as well as stimulate muscle growth following exercise.
Improve heart health
Collagen provides structure to your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Without enough collagen, arteries can become less flexible and less elastic. This can lead to atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by narrowing of the arteries. This condition can lead to heart attack and stroke