Skin and connective tissues like tendons and ligaments comprise the protein collagen. It’s the body’s most prevalent protein. However, your body’s collagen degrades as you grow older, making it much harder to replenish.
Collagen is an essential structural protein for your skin and bones. Joint pain may also be alleviated. Supplements containing collagen powder are increasingly popular due to the potential health benefits. This powder is generally hydrolysed, which means that the proteins in it have been divided up, making it easier for the body to metabolise.
Benefits to Health
A broad range of functions is supported by collagen, from skin repair to bone strength. Your muscles, bones, soft tissue, ligaments, organ systems, and skin are held together by collagen’s multifaceted fibres. Let’s study each of the benefits in detail:
The following are the many health benefits of collagen:
Skin Health Improvements
When it comes to maintaining your skin’s elasticity and moisture, collagen is vital. Your body’s collagen production slows as you get older. The result is drier skin and more wrinkles.
In addition to reducing dryness and wrinkles, collagen could help slow ageing. Skin elasticity appears to be significantly improved in studies, which means wrinkles or fine lines may be reduced. Skin hydration and overall appearance may also be enhanced by collagen supplementation.
Joint Pain Reduction
The body’s cartilage is made stronger by collagen. Cartilage, a spongy tissue between your joints, acts as a shield. As you move, healthy cartilage reduces wear and tear on your joints by reducing friction.
Osteoarthritis risk rises with age due to decreased collagen production in the body. Osteoarthritis sufferers may benefit from taking collagen supplements, such as collagen powder, to alleviate joint injuries and discomfort in joint function.
Strengthening Your Muscles
Muscle health and function depend on collagen. Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass due to ageing and inactivity, is made more likely as collagen levels in the body decline with time.
Supplementing collagen and resistance training can help people with sarcopenia gain muscle mass. Increasing collagen powder also can improve muscular strength and motor coordination.
Decrease in Loss of Bones
The bulk of your bones is made up of collagen. They can maintain a healthy level of collagen. Bone mass loss is more likely as collagen levels drop with age. Osteoporosis is a condition that can lead to broken bones or cuts, especially in women, and is known as such. According to studies, collagen appears to slow bone loss in people with osteoporosis and thinning bones.
Enhanced Cardiovascular Health
Your aorta and blood vessels stay in good shape thanks to collagen. Your arteries may become weaker if you don’t get enough collagen in your diet. Atherosclerosis, which can result in a heart attack or stroke, is made more likely by weakening the blood vessels. Atherosclerosis risk can be reduced by using collagen, according to research.
Thicker hair: Hair loss and thinning are problems affecting both men and women. Regularly taking collagen supplements led to significant increases in hair volume, scalp coverage, and overall thickness in a study of women with thinning hair. They also help in maintaining your hair’s health.
Risks to Your Health
Taking collagen has not been linked to any adverse health effects. To avoid ingesting a supplement that contains common food allergens like oysters or eggs, it’s best to learn about the ingredients in advance. But,