What are collagen supplements?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It’s responsible for helping our blood clot and offer structure to the skin. Over the years, it has enjoyed special popularity as a natural ingredient and can be found in a range of beauty products including creams, masks, lotions and even hair care. Recently, however, there has been an increase in the promotion and availability of dietary collagen supplements. These are widely available as pills and powders but you can also find pre-made drinks in the form of tinctures or shots. Most of the products contain hydrolyzed collagen which means that the protein is already broken down. As such it is easier for you to digest and absorb. In addition, the powder dissolves easily in both cold and hot liquids. These collagen supplements are often labelled as amino acids or ‘collagen peptides’. This is because, they are actually made up of the building materials that your body needs to make collagen protein.
Most collagen peptide products come from the hydrolyzed form of the protein. This is usually made from fish scales, bones or animal hides. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, there are some non animal derived collagen supplements. However these are usually harder to find and more expensive simply because the majority of collagen is found in animal tissues.
Can collagen plump up your skin and get rid of your wrinkles?
Collagen makes up a substantial component of our skin. Indeed, it plays a huge role in making the skin stronger. In addition it imparts hydration and elasticity on your skin. Unfortunately, our bodies make less and less collagen as you we age. As a result, your skin becomes thinner, loses elasticity, gets wrinkles and dryer.
A number of studies indicate that collagen peptides containing collagen can actually slow down the skin ageing process. According to one such study, scientists assessed whether supplementation could boost skin tissue density. These results indicate that these supplements improve skin structure and hydration. They also hint at the probability that there is reduced skin ageing. In short, this and other similar studies suggest that supplements are safe and can efficiently increase skin hydration, density and elasticity.
Where there is less evidence is whether collagen skincare products also work. At the moment there isn’t any solid evidence for this. Beyond that, whether you decide to take collagen supplements or use collagen skincare, remember one thing. This is not a substitute for the basics! You must always use a good moisturizer, sun protection, and eating a balanced and healthy diet. Any added benefits of supplements or skincare you will just build on that.
Does collagen make your hair grow?
Hair follicle function is quite complicated and involves several aspects that come into play to produce normal hair growth. Despite this, there is some evidence that how collagen can help hair. Firstly, its important to understand that Keratin is a vital hair component that provides strength, structure and protects hair against humidity. Secondly, the process of hair growth requires both essential and non-essential amino acids. The body produces essential amino acids, but you need to get the the non-essential amino acids from your diet. One way to get this is to take collagen supplements as they contain at least three non-essential amino acids that are known to assist with hair growth and Keratin formation. In addition, it is thought that collagen may possesses strong antioxidative properties. This can protect your hair against destructive damage from reactive oxygen species or free radicals. In short, although there is a small amount of evidence that it restricts discolouration, age-associated hair thinning and hair loss.
Can it boost your nails?
Brittle nail syndrome is one of the common health conditions. It is characterized by nail peeling, raggedness and surface roughness. As we’ve already discussed, collagen is an essential component for the normal functioning of the entire body. There is some evidence that consuming collagen could significantly reduce brittle nail syndrome.
What else can these supplements do?
Beyond beauty, there are a number of potential health benefits to taking collagen. One of these is that collagen is vital for maintaining your cartilage’s integrity. This is the rubber-like tissue that protects your joints. As we get older, the amount of collagen available in our body will decrease, increasing the chances of developing osteoarthritis. Several studies show that taking supplements may help reduce joint pain and osteoarthritis symptoms.
Collagen also makes up roughly 1 – 10% of muscle tissue. Generally, your body needs this protein to keep your muscles strong and ensure proper body functioning. Research suggests that supplements can help boost muscle mass. This is particularly the case in people who suffer from muscle disorders such as sarcopenia, which is basically the muscle mass loss that takes place as you age.
With regards to bone, collagen is responsible for providing strength and structure. Bone mass decreases as the collagen levels lower as you age. This can result in bone diseases such as osteoporosis which is characterized by low bone density. Some research suggests that taking supplements could help you limit this age related bone loss.
