From gummies to body lotions, the addition of collagen to different products is not uncommon nowadays. Collagen is an essential protein that constitutes a third of all the protein available in the body. About 75% of your skin’s support structure is collagen made. There are about 16 different collagen types, with the first four being the main ones.

The structural protein forms the skin, bones, muscles, teeth, tendons and ligaments. Think of it as the bricks of a wall without which it wouldn’t be able to stand. Unfortunately, with time the amount of collagen produced in your body starts to decline. This drop in collagen levels is evident in the way your skin starts by becoming less firm as you age.

Can You Boost Collagen Production?

Though collagen production begins its downward trek once you cross 18, the signs aren’t visible until you touch 30. As your teen years reach an end, collagen content starts lowering by 1% each year. No one even likes to entertain the idea of growing old to have saggy skin. Fortunately, there are ways you can increase the quantity of collagen in your system.

There are plenty of collagen supplements available. One of them is from a renowned company BioTrust. It is called BioTrust Ageless Collagen. Due to the massive role that collagen plays in your body it has become a buzzword in the health industry. You can easily get your hands on a collagen pill or powder which can do its job well with little to no side effects. There’s not much research out there over the effectiveness of collagen supplements, but many experts say they work.

The best part is that consuming a collagen supplement can actually stimulate the natural production of collagen. This means not only your skin’s wrinkle formation process is slowed down, but your hair and bones benefit as well. If you’re more of a keeping-it-natural person, know that you can get your collagen through organic sources such as bone broth, fish, Aloe Vera, vitamin C foods, etc.

Health Benefits Of Taking Collagen

There are also some other health benefits which have been associated to collagen but not much research backs them. Some studies show that collagen supplements can improve nail and hair growth and strength. There’s also a belief that collagen use treats leaky gut syndrome. Some people claim that consuming collagen supplements has had a positive impact on their brain health.

They are of the view that collagen can improve mood as well as reduce anxiety. Another quality attributed to collagen is that it can supercharge metabolic activity. By doing so, it can help with weight loss. If there’s any evidence showing these benefits to be true, it’s minimal. For optimal metabolism, you can check out Metabolic Greens Plus by Pure Health Research.

An increase in the amount of collagen in your body can benefit your health greatly. This is because collagen is crucial for many bodily functions. Let’s take a look at some of the ways it can improve your health:

1 – Improves Your Skin

Collagen can improve your skin’s texture by hydrating, strengthening, and tightening it. Lack of collagen can make your skin dry and wrinkly. Collagen makes skin more elastic and also supports the production of other structural proteins including elastin and fibrillin. 

One study showed that a woman who consumed collagen’s peptide form for 8 weeks noted a 20% decrease in wrinkles. Another proved the same as it showed that collagen supplementation for 12 weeks reduced wrinkles and significantly hydrated the skin.

2 – Boosts Joint Health

Collagen forms the cartilage tissue which cushions your joints and prevents friction. As your collagen content lowers with age, the cartilage tissue weakens exposing joints to wear and tear damage. This causes degenerative joint diseases, an example of which is osteoarthritis.

A study showed that people who used collagen supplements for 180 minutes experienced reduced stiffness and pain. Scientists have also noted that collagen supplementation can stimulate the production of collagen in the cartilage. It can also lower inflammation.

3 – Supports Heart Health

Though more research is required in this area, researchers have theorized that collagen addition can reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions. How does collagen supplementation do that? Basically, collagen forms the structure of your arteries.

These are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Less collagen quantity may make arteries weak. This can narrow the arteries and lead to a condition called atherosclerosis which in turn can cause heart attack and stroke. It can’t be said with certainty that whether you can get sugar balance with collagen supplements or not.

4 – Eases Back Pain

A huge portion of the population struggles with lower back pain, a typical cause being endless hours spent sitting at work. Collagen can help soothe the pain in your lower back as it builds the muscles, bones, and tendons present there.

A study comprising of 200 participants showed that over 20% of those who took 12mg of collagen every day for six months noticed an improvement in their backache. So, if you are someone who spends countless hours sitting which translates to backpain, consider collagen pills.

5 – Builds Muscle Mass

Up to 10% of your muscle tissue is constructed by collagen. The protein keeps muscles strong as well as promotes their functionality. Some people experience loss of muscle mass as they climb up the age ladder. This condition is called sarcopenia.

Collagen supplements could boost muscle mass in such individuals. One study showed that men who consumed 15mg of collagen for 12 weeks while exercising gained more muscle mass than those who didn’t. However, more studies need to explore this benefit for confirming it. 

Key Takeaway

Collagen is an important protein that makes up your skin, bones, muscles, and tendons. However, with age its production in your body goes down. Don’t fret though, you can always add more collagen to your diet through natural sources or supplements. This collagen addition can benefit your heart, joint, skin, and muscle health. It can also significantly lower pain and inflammation.