April 07, 2020

Collagen Benefits

Overview

Collagen supplements have so many benefits, which is why they have gained so much popularity in the health and wellness word. Something that makes collagen unique is that it has such a wide variety of benefits. The most stand out benefit is that it helps with glowing skin. However, it can also help with things such as connective tissue health, strengthening bones and joints, and even the potential to help with weight loss. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, and it's formed through chains of amino acids like glycine and proline, which are considered essential to the formation of collagen. These amino acids act as building blocks for us. Besides a large variety of collagen benefits, there's also a large variety of collagen types and forms. There's bovine collagen, marine collagen, porcine collagen, and chicken collagen. These types of collagen come in several forms, like collagen peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, collagen powder, collagen protein, and more. As you can see, that's a huge variety of collagen! It can seem like a lot at times, but it's not hard once you understand how each type and form differentiates, as well as their benefits. The good news is all collagen supplements have the same overall benefits. The quality of the product and the type of collagen is what sets each supplement apart from the rest. Another positive aspect of collagen is that almost any diet can consume it. Whether you're keto or pescatarian, there's an option for you. The only exception is that collagen is not vegan, because it is derived from animals. Given all this information, it's important to dive deeper so you can understand which supplement is right for you. Read on to learn about collagen and its benefits.

What are the benefits of collagen?

The health benefits of collagen are extensive, and we mentioned a few above briefly. It's great that there is a dietary supplement that has so many beneficial effects on our bodies. It's truly a multitasking supplement, and whether you want to take it for one issue or five, you'll still get all the benefits it has to offer. The effects of collagen can differ from person to person, because every body is different. Regardless, increasing your collagen intake is a great idea. As we age, our natural collagen levels decrease, especially once we reach our 20's. This is typically around the time people begin to develop skincare regimens, and it's also the perfect time to start implementing collagen into your diet.

Skin health

As we mentioned, skin health is the biggest reason people take collagen as a supplement. There are a lot of factors when it comes to skin aging, such as sun exposure, genetics, whether or not you smoke, your diet, and more. Everyone will experience signs of aging as we grow older, but it may be less severe depending on how you take care of your body. People are often bothered by their wrinkles and fine lines, but they shouldn't be. Aging is natural. However, we understand wanting to look and feel your best. Rather than turn to solutions like Botox and filler, collagen is a more natural solution that can help you look and feel your best. Collagen and elastin are essential components that are responsible for skin elasticity, and making the skin appear full and plump. Collagen supplements help with skin hydration, which plays a role in keeping the skin dewy and glowing. It can also help prevent acne, because your skin won't need to produce excess sebum (which clogs pores). Type 1 collagen is the best for skin's overall health, but you can still see results from other types. Kalumi BEAUTYfood contains 12 grams of hydrolyzed marine collagen, which is more easily digested and absorbed, and can therefore give you results more quickly. They contain 15 grams of protein, and ingredients that actually help to boost our natural collagen production. Marine collagen is also a type 1 collagen. Another thing to consider is eating foods that boost your natural collagen production in order to strengthen the skin internally as well. Foods that are high in Vitamin C, are rich in antioxidants, and foods that already contain collagen such as bone broth, fish, and meat, are all things that can help your body to produce more collagen. Collagen is also great for helping with nail growth and strengthening hair. It helps correct brittleness in both hair and nails, as well. Also relating to the skin, collagen has been used in dermatology to promote wound healing for things such as burns and cuts.

Relieves joint pain

Collagen is essential for joint health. It works to maintain the structure of your joints. It is possible that collagen supplements may accumulate within our cartilage, which would then lead to a reduction in pain and inflammatory issues, such as osteoarthritis. It can also help with everyday aches and pains, as well as improve overall joint function. Even if you don't have issues now, it can work to prevent future issues from developing, especially if you're at risk.

Prevents bone loss

Collagen is also important for bone health. It is part of what makes up bones- the part that helps them with their structure and strength. With a decrease in collagen, your bones become unable to strengthen over time. This becomes increasingly important as we age. It's possible that collagen helps to improve our bone mineral density.

Boosts muscle mass

Another benefit of collagen is that it can help to boost muscle mass. This is because it is a protein that is naturally occurring in our bodies, and taking it as a supplement is essentially like taking a protein supplement as well. When you are trying to build muscle, or decrease the amount of fat on your body, protein is essential for making these changes. Increasing your protein intake helps to burn more fat and build more muscle. Glycine (an amino acid) is part of what makes up muscle tissue. It also helps to increase muscle strength, much like you would do with resistance training at the gym. Many people like to make pre or post workout smoothies that contain collagen powder as a way to get extra protein.

Promotes heart health

Collagen helps support our blood vessels. When your collagen levels are sufficient, there is less risk of plaque buildup in your arteries, and less risk of deterioration. If you don't have plaque, you have a significantly lower chance of having heart attacks, strokes, and other heart-related issues.

Gut health

Collagen has also been shown to help with our gut health and gut function. It does this by supporting and strengthening the gut lining. This is due to the amino acids found in collagen- the same ones that line our digestive tract. So if you have issues like leaky gut syndrome, or other such GI issues, collagen may be a great way to help relieve the symptoms related to those issues. Even if you don't have a more serious issue, it can help to keep everything running smoothly in your digestive tract.