Collagen is essential to general health and wellness. Collagen, which is considered a structural protein, is found in the body’s connective tissues such as cartilage, bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin. Blood vessels and digestive tract organs also have an abundance of collagen.
Considering its uses all across the body, it’s no wonder many people use collagen supplements to help maintain their overall health. While the body naturally produces collagen on its own, production slows with age, starting when you hit your mid-twenties. Also, lifestyle habits such as smoking and having a high-sugar diet can lower collagen levels in the body.
Collagen Explained
To understand the importance of collagen, you can think of it like a glue that holds the body together. Scientists have identified 28 types of collagen that each have different molecular structures. However, the first three types are most important:
● Type 1 – Makes up the majority of collagen in the body, primarily found in bones, tendons, cartilage, skin, and teeth.
● Type 2 – Composed of loosely packed fibers and thus found in tissues like elastic cartilage.
● Type 3 – Provides structure to arteries, organs, and muscles.
5 Health Benefits of Collagen Protein
Now that you know what collagen is and wherein the body it’s found, you may be wondering what the concrete health benefits of collagen protein are. If you’re thinking about adding more collagen to your diet or taking is as a supplement, consider the following possible benefits and talk to your doctor about proper usage.
1. Better Skin, Hair, and Nails – As you age, you’ll likely start to see wrinkles form and notice drier, sagging skin. This results from the body’s slowed production of collagen. Studies show that both short-term and long-term collagen use can help hydrate your skin and maintain its elasticity. Collagen also promotes hair and nail growth and strength.
2. Stronger Bones and Joints – If your bones and joints give you grief, increasing your collagen intake can offer relief. Because collagen intake can help accumulate cartilage, it has shown promise for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. Collagen also helps increase bone density, making collagen supplementation a great way to help treat osteoporosis.
3. Heart Health – Studies suggest that collagen helps to prevent the accumulation of plaque in your arteries. Type 1 and Type 2 collagen significantly contribute to the strength and elasticity of arterial walls.
4. Digestive Health – The villi that line your intestinal wall are largely made of collagen. Collagen provides the amino acids needed to repair and rebuild the intestinal wall. Also, glycine, the main amino acid in collagen, can help treat inflammatory diseases.
5. Brain Benefits – While more studies need to be conducted, research has shown that collagen may help slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by protecting the brain from amyloid-beta proteins. This kind of amino acid has been found to attack neurons in Alzheimer’s disease patients.
Incorporate Collagen Into Your Daily Routine
The benefits of increasing collagen in your body are numerous, and so are the many different ways you can add supplemental collagen intake to your everyday life. You can consume collagen as a powder that easily mixes with the food and drinks you already consume. Or, you can alter your diet to include more collagen-rich foods like bone broth, chicken, and egg whites. However you decide to add collagen use to your daily routine, you’ll likely start to see great improvements to your overall health.
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