Over the past few years, collagen supplements have received more attention from both men and women. If you aren’t already taking collagen supplements each day, you may be wondering if this supplement is worth adding to your daily routine. To help you out, we’re going to share some of the key things you need to know about collagen supplements and the benefits of taking collagen to help you decide if these supplements will work as part of your current diet.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a structural protein found in our bones, skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. As we grow older, our bodies produce less collagen, which is why we start to see wrinkles on our faces, and our joints may begin to ache. There are a minimum of 16 types of collagen in our body, but the primary ones are types I, II, and III.
Collagen supplements are extracted from bovine hide or fish, and you’ll find that you can add collagen supplements to your diet in the form of pills, liquids, or powder. You may already find you are consuming enough collagen in your diet if you regularly eat bone broth and certain poultry, fish, and meat cuts. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, you’ll want to consider finding a vegan-friendly product that encourages collagen production with its ingredients.
The Different Types of Collagen Supplements
When you compare collagen supplements, you’ll find that they are often marked as hydrolyzed collagen, collagen peptides, or gelatin. Hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides refer to the exact same product but hydrolyzed just suggests the type of process used to break down the protein chains. Most of us are very familiar with gelatin, and it’s a cooked type of collagen that can be found in liquid or gel form.
The Potential Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements
There are many reasons why men and women are opting to take collagen supplements nowadays. These are just a few of the key reasons we encourage you to think about adding collagen supplements to your current diet, but you’ll also want to consider how effective collagen is as a solution for the issues you are currently experiencing.
Improved Skin Health
As we grow older and collagen levels decrease, we often find our skin’s elasticity and plumpness are reduced. If you’ve ever looked at the skincare products offered in stores, you’ll find they include collagen within their ingredients, as they can help target wrinkles that appear as we age. More research is still needed in this area as far as collagen supplements, but it’s believed they help improve hyaluronic acid production. As well as taking collagen supplements, you’ll also want to consider using products with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or glycolic acid in your skincare routine and protecting your skin from aging with sunscreen.
Reducing Joint Pain
While some collagen supplements advertise helping a specific body part, this is unfortunately not possible. However, if you are struggling with joint pain, look for a product with type II collagen that also includes vitamin C. These two ingredients together can help to repair any injuries, but they aren’t the only solution you’ll need when you are experiencing severe joint pain. The evidence is still a little weak in this area regarding the benefits of collagen supplements, so you’ll also want to consider receiving medical treatment when suffering from joint pain.
A Source of Protein
Many collagen supplements claim that they are a great source of protein, which is easier to absorb than traditional protein supplements. However, it’s not necessarily going to offer you a complete source of protein. If you are looking for a protein supplement to help you gain muscle and recover from workouts, this isn’t the best option on the market. You’ll need a protein supplement with the amino acid leucine, and unfortunately, collagen is very lacking in this.
Collagen is something that our bodies certainly need as we grow older, and men and women are finding that some of the high-quality collagen supplements offered today are helpful in combatting joint pain and loss of skin elasticity. These are just a few of the most commonly cited benefits of collagen, but it’s also believed to assist with hair growth and potentially with gut health. However, more research is still needed into these areas, as it’s not necessarily the best solution on the market for either of these concerns. It’s ultimately up to you whether you think collagen supplements are worth trying, and we encourage you to always look for a good quality option if this is something you are planning to add to your diet.
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