Although collagen is necessary for the maintenance of strong bones, healthy skin and more the body produces progressively less collagen as we age.
Fortunately, collagen supplements can fend off many of the issues related to a collagen deficiency, and do so cheaply and reliably.
Below our team of experts have compiled their list of the 19 most significant benefits of collagen supplements.
19 Benefits Of Collagen Supplements
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, but we produce less and less as the years pass. Collagen supplements can fill the gap and produce a variety of related benefits.
1: Collagen supplements make your skin look and feel better.
As we age, our bodies ratchet back collagen production for reasons that are still not well understood. As a result, our skin becomes sallow and dry. Women often use collagen supplements to enhance the look and feel of their skin. And for good reason. There is plenty of science to support the idea that collagen supplements can reverse the effects of age-related collagen loss (1).
2: Collagen supplements may help prevent bone loss.
Collagen is a foundational element in most types of tissue, including bone. Just as decreased collagen production has a negative effect on the skin, it also undermines the size, strength, and flexibility of our bones. This age-related bone loss is a major contributing factor to bone fractures in the elderly. Collagen supplements may help reverse this bone loss trend (2).
3: Collagen supplements are good for your heart.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and plays a fundamental role in the health and integrity of the heart and arteries. As we age and our bodies produce less and less collagen, the arteries often suffer from atherosclerosis (3). Atherosclerosis is a contributing factor in many heart attacks. Collagen supplements can both prevent and treat atherosclerosis (4).
4: Collagen supplements can reduce arthritis pain.
Collagen is fundamentally linked to all manner of tissue health, including joint and bone health. As age-related reductions in collagen production set in, our cartilage, joints and bones become more susceptible to the ravages of arthritis. Collagen supplements can help reverse this trend, and in doing so, reduce the pain associated with arthritis as well (5).
5: Collagen supplements help you build stronger nails.
Collagen is everywhere in your body, including your nails. One of the reasons fingernails become brittle as we age is because our bodies produce less collagen. Taking supplemental collagen can help you keep your nails looking and feeling great. Collagen has also demonstrated the ability to treat an array of finger and toenail issues that stem from collagen disorders (6).
6: Collagen supplements may promote hair growth.
Though quality research is lacking, collagen has demonstrated an ability to produce thicker, more supple hair. This does not mean it is a cure for baldness, but it may help stop the natural thinning process some people experience as they age. It will take time, and it will not work for everyone, but considering collagen’s safety profile and its ability to improve the dermis where hair grows from, it’s worth a try.
7: Collagen supplements can help prevent stretch marks.
Stretch marks have many possible causes but not a lot of known treatments aside from topical creams. More and more women are discovering that regular collagen supplementation can reduce the number and severity of their stretch marks. Though there have not been any large scientific studies on the topic to date, the anecdotal evidence is compelling.
8: Collagen supplements may help balance hormone levels.
Amino acids are known to play a significant role in hormone regulation (7), and it just so happens collagen is rich in amino acids. But as we age and collagen production decreases hormone levels suffer and imbalances create a multitude of physical, mental, and emotional problems (8). Collagen supplements provide the amino acids necessary to right the hormonal ship.
9: Collagen supplements make for more effective workouts.
Collagen is a protein, and proteins are the building blocks of muscle. Collagen supplements can help the athletically inclined enjoy more productive workouts and build larger, stronger muscles (9). Because of all the other benefits that can be derived from collagen supplements, a person may want to consider replacing their protein shake with a shake based on collagen powder.
10: Collagen supplements can boost metabolism.
Fat tissue is inert and burns fewer calories than muscle tissue. Muscle tissue, on the other hand, is well-vascularized, and constantly in motion, so the metabolism picks up the pace to meet the demand. A faster metabolism is one that will use more of the food you eat right away, with less of it being stored as fat. Since protein intake is a well-documented strategy for weight management, collagen supplements can help you meet your needs.
11: Collagen supplements may help alleviate anxiety.
Recent events have driven most people’s stress levels through the roof. And many are looking for safe and effective ways they can relieve that stress. Collagen supplements are rich in glycine, an important amino acid that has shown remarkable clinical versatility, including the ability to calm the nerves and help people achieve deep, restful sleep. One animal study also found reduced anxiety-type behavior and improved neurogenesis after collagen supplementation for 4 weeks (10).
12: Collagen supplements promote a healthy gut.
Collagen plays a key role in strengthening the walls of the arteries, as we have seen. It is also instrumental in bolstering the integrity of the lining of the digestive tract. Collagen damage or deficiency leaves the lining of the digestive tract vulnerable to a range of troubling conditions, including leaky gut syndrome (11) and inflammatory bowel disease (12).
13: Collagen supplements can help promote wound healing.
When you cut yourself, or suffer some other form of flesh injury, untold numbers of skin cells are lost and need to be replaced. Collagen plays a critical role in this process because skin contains more collagen than any other protein. How much or little collagen is available to facilitate the healing process will influence how fast a wound heals and whether you wind up with a nasty scar or a discreet blemish.
14: Collagen supplements may help regulate blood glucose levels.
Collagen provides a wealth of benefits, but maybe the most surprising is its ability to regulate blood glucose levels by influencing insulin sensitivity (13). More research is needed to verify the early clinical results, but the data gleaned so far presents interesting treatment possibilities for diabetics going forward.
15: Collagen supplements may help reduce cellulite.
Collagen is one of the things that gives youthful skin its smooth, firm character. Cellulite is caused when underlying layers of fat push against the outer layers of skin. Connective tissues in the skin pull on the fatty tissue and it becomes lumpy. The less collagen in the skin, the greater the lumpiness. Studies show that collagen supplements can improve the appearance of cellulite (14).
16: Collagen supplements may help you lose weight.
As we mentioned earlier, collagen supplements can help you have more effective workouts and boost your metabolism through increased muscle mass. That faster metabolism will manifest itself in numerous ways. For one, all that well-vascularized muscle tissue will burn calories even while you are watching TV or working at your desk. As a result, you will have an easier time losing weight and keeping it off. The added protein intake will also help you manage your calorie intake and improve satiety, both of which significantly influence weight (15).
17: Collagen supplements may reduce inflammation.
While the research is still in its infancy, there is enough data available now to suggest that collagen supplements may be able to reduce inflammation (16) and lessen the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and joint injuries. Besides reducing inflammation, it can also strengthen the bones and cartilage of the joints, further reducing pain while promoting flexibility.
18: Collagen supplements can help you sleep better.
Collagen powder typically contains generous amounts of glycine. Glycine is an amino acid that has an important role to play in maintaining a healthy nervous system. Studies have demonstrated that glycine can help people get to sleep quicker and sleep longer and better (17). Best of all, there are no adverse effects from collagen.
19: Collagen supplements can help slow down the aging process.
Perhaps not literally, since nothing can stop the passage of time, but in other ways. Studies show that when people look and feel older, they act older (18). Collagen supplements can help restore tone and luster to your skin, thicken your hair and strengthen your nails; all telltale signs of youth. And with stronger bones and less painful joints, you will feel younger too.
Conclusion
Collagen supplements can help ensure strong bones, health hair and nails, effective workouts, better muscle tone, quicker healing, stable blood glucose levels and more. If you are a man or woman (particularly a woman concerned about osteoporosis) over 30 you should consider taking collagen supplements.