The Collagen Hype Train; Is It The Real Deal?

The Collagen Hype Train; Is It The Real Deal?

You’ve heard it said a million times by health experts and maybe even a family member or two. Collagen  is the new “it thing” everyone is talking about, and it can now be found in just about everything — from beauty products to powders, supplements and everything in between. Well folks, this may be one instance where the hype train is actually warranted.

Collagen is indispensable to your health and is the most abundant protein in your body. Collagen is available in your muscles, skin, blood, bones, cartilage, and ligaments.

Collagen:

• promotes skin elasticity
• holds together your bones and muscles
• protects your organs
• provides structure to joints and tendons

The good news is that your body produces collagen on a regular basis. But, it does slow down with age. Other lifestyle habits that can bring collagen production to a screaming halt include an unhealthy diet, too much sun exposure and smoking.

Enough with the explanations, what may be the benefits?

1. Taking Collagen May Increase Joint Health

As your cartilage weakens and deteriorates with age, you may start to feel stiff, achy joints.  It’s possible that upping your collagen intake may help reduce joint pain and help maintain joint health.  Taking collagen supplements such as Neocell Collagen+C may reduce inflammation and stimulate your body into making collagen.

2. Collagen May Contribute to Healthy Looking Skin

One of the most well-known benefits of collagen is its ability to promote radiant, healthy looking skin. This essential protein provides elasticity to the skin, helping it to appear more youthful. Collagen plays a role in strengthening the skin, plus may benefit elasticity and hydration.

So what if you increase your collagen intake with supplements?

Some products may improve skin elasticity with use.  You can even drink a beverage mixed with a collagen supplement like Orgain Collagen Peptides and results may include increased skin hydration. 

3. Helps build muscle and burn fat

Between 1–10% of muscle tissue is composed of collagen. This is the protein necessary to keep your muscles strong and functioning properly. Collagen is a major component of muscle tissue. Researchers have suggested that taking a collagen supplements like Country Life Maxi in a cup of cold water once a day may increase muscle growth, strength and even promote the creation of muscle proteins such as creatine, which provides muscles with the fuel needed to push through a workout.

4. Collagen supplements may increase bone mineral density

Your bones are made mostly of collagen, which gives them structure and helps keep them strong.  As you age, collagen in your body deteriorates, as does bone mass. Studies have shown that consuming collagen supplements may have certain effects in the body that help inhibit bone breakdown. Collagen has the potential to help increase BMD (bone mineral density) and lower levels of proteins in the blood that stimulate bone breakdown.

5. Collagen may improve the appearance of cellulite

Besides keeping your skin healthy and glowing, collagen may also help improve the appearance of stubborn cellulite. Cellulite is when the layer of fat under the skin pushes up against the connective tissue, creating a dimpled or lumpy appearance on the skin. Collagen supplements like YouTheory’s Collagen Type 1 may help improve skin texture and cellulite waviness.

6. Collagen May improve digestive health

Collagen is in the gut’s connective tissue and can help support and strengthen the protective lining of your digestive tract. So, the current theory from researchers is that by increasing your intake of collagen such as Universal Nutrition Collagen; you could help build up the tissues that line your gastrointestinal tract and promote better gut health.

7. Taking Collagen May Promote Heart Health

Researchers have speculated that taking collagen supplements may help reduce the risk factors associated with heart conditions, and may increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. 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 may become weak and fragile.

So, What’s The Word Bird On Collagen?

Whether or not taking additional collagen supplements will help what ails you is based off of your individual situation and lifestyle. Research appears to support collagen being consumed by anyone who needs potential relief from joint pain or would like to improve skin health.

The bottom line is taking collagen is associated with a number of health benefits and very few known risks. Collagen supplements are generally safe, quite easy to use and definitely worth trying for their potential benefits.

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