Collagen is well known for the role it plays in fighting wrinkles and helping us have younger looking skin.
While we 100% applaud the work collagen does to keep us away from costly cosmetic procedures, the truth is that collagen peptides do a lot more than just keep us glowy and young looking.
Collagen is the main component of connective tissues found in your skin, ligaments, joints and muscles, and they play a vital role in several body functions.If you’re not sure that you need collagen peptides in your life here are some things to know about this unique protein.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY SEVERAL TYPES OF COLLAGEN
Some types of collagen are decidedly more common than others and together they impact several of your body systems and functions.
Collagen is found in your connective tissue, joints and intervertebral discs.It is found in skin and blood vessels as well as in your kidneys, inner ear and eye.
The various types of collagen impact your body in different ways and may all be utilized in different ways to support your overall health and wellness.
COLLAGEN MAY MAKE YOUR SKIN HEALTHIER
We’ve all heard about the miracle work that collagen can do for our skin.Collagen is a major component of our skin and plays a significant role in maintaining the strength, elasticity and hydration of our skin cells.
Having sufficient levels of collagen in our bodies allows our skin to maintain its youthful glow by warding off the drying and thinning that happens naturally as we age.Numerous studies support the use of collagen supplements to help slow the visible aging of our skin.
Countless face creams include collagen and tout the benefits they provide for reducing wrinkles and increasing elasticity.While they may help you maintain hydration and find your way toward a more youthful appearance, it’s important to note that collagen is not as easily absorbed through the skin.
Getting your collagen orally, through collagen supporting foods and supplements, may be a more effective way to experience the benefits it may provide, internally and externally.
YOUR JOINTS MAY BENEFIT FROM MORE COLLAGEN
Collagen is found in every joint within the human body.
It is particularly important for the health of your connective tissues and muscular-skeletal system.
Collagen peptides play an important role in keeping your joints strong and healthy.As you age, cartilage between joints tends to wear down. This deterioration can often lead to pain and may even lead to various degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis.
Finding ways to increase the collagen in your system with diet and supplementation may help improve your overall joint function.
COLLAGEN CAN HELP YOUR BONES GET STRONGER TOO
Our bones are made primarily of collagen.It’s what gives them strength and density.
Similarly to muscle mass, as we age, we tend to lose bone mass as well.This is because the amount of collagen in your body decreases as you age, allowing for the development of degenerative bone issues and diseases like osteoporosis.
Often people will take calcium supplements to support continued bone strength, but combining calcium with collagen might be a better solution.Higher bone density helps prevent loss of bone strength and general deterioration related to age.
Studies have shown that combining calcium and collagen supplements can more effectively support the maintenance of bone density, particularly in older women who often struggle more with degenerative bone issues.
COLLAGEN MAY HELP YOU GET THOSE GAINS YOU’VE BEEN WORKING FOR IN THE GYM
Even before degeneration becomes a nagging concern, collagen can play a role in helping to build muscle mass.Because collagen is one of the most prominent proteins in our bodies, it definitely plays an important role in the formation of muscle.
Research has indicated that taking a collagen supplement can assist with the development of muscle growth and strength following exercise.If you’re trying to reach certain muscle growth and strength related goals, adding collagen supplementation may have a positive impact on your efforts.
VEGANS CAN BOOST THEIR COLLAGEN TOO
Though collagen is usually found in animal products, like bone broths and gelatin, those who live a vegan lifestyle can help increase their body’s natural collagen production by choosing certain foods.
Ensuring your diet contains foods rich in vitamin C, zinc, and copper will help your body work better to produce collagen.
Make sure your diet includes plenty of beans, oranges, red and green peppers, tomatoes, whole grains, broccoli, and nuts. All of these foods are vegan friendly and good sources of natural collagen.
Because most collagen supplements are made with animal proteins, sourcing your collagen from food may be the best answer to ensure a balance intake of it in your diet.
However you get your collagen, those who add collagen to their diets through food and supplementation can expect to reap this unique protein’s benefits both inside and out.
