5 Lesser-Known Health Benefits of Collagen

We've all heard about the huge hype around collagen products. From healthy bones to supple skin, the health benefits seem to be unending. Add it to your coffee in the morning or a post-workout smoothie. It's one of the hottest trends that's surfaced in the past few years.

Collagen is your body’s main structural protein. Comprised of essential amino acids, it is the glue that holds your tendons, muscles, bones, ligaments, hair, skin, nails, and entire skeleton together. Did you know that the word “collagen” even comes from the Greek word for ‘glue’?

Collagen helps your entire inner structure maintain its strength and shape as, especially after 30. That's why many people turn to collagen supplements as we get older.

When we get older we begin to notice visible signs of skin aging and decreased elasticity, as well as less lustrous hair and weaker nails. All of things we take advantage of in our youth, we suddenly see going down hill and want to fix!

This is why supplementing with collagen peptides is now being hailed as potentially the simplest way to  naturally boost aging skin, hair, and nails by reintroducing essential collagen back into the body.

Collagen supplements (like our Multi Collagen) are most often derived from animal cartilage, bones, or skin (especially bovine or marine sources) and preliminary research has shown some promising results so far.

Collagen supplements were largely first introduced into the beauty industry, but recent results have led to collagen being looked at more seriously for its potential wellness-supporting abilities.

There have been  28 different types of collagen identified so far, but  80-90% of the collagen found in our bodies is made up of Types I, II & III. It's helpful to know what type of collagen works best for you, so you can hone in on the perfect product.

Boosting your body’s collagen levels may help  hydrate skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin elasticity, and reveal a clearer, more supple complexion. 

Vanity reasons aside, did you also know that collagen actually plays an essential role in preserving bone and joint health?

With collagen first taking a front seat in the beauty and cosmetics industry, it’s easy to overlook some of collagen’s other very important benefits. This includes building stronger muscle, bones, and ligaments. Collagen supplementation can really be a one-stop-shop for a lot of issues.

A perfect multi-functioning foundation for overall well-being and healthy aging, collagen is a powerhouse supplement that can do so much more than just enhance hair, nail strength, and skin elasticity. This is because the same benefits that enhance hair, skin, and nails also strengthen other collagen-based body parts, including ligaments, joints, and more!

So much of our health and how we feel each day stems from the quality of our gut microbiota. In a nutshell, collagen may help improve digestive health and promote healthy inflammatory response in the gut lining.

Glycine, the most prominent amino acid in collagen, is often called the “gut’s savior” and is commonly used to promote a healthy gut and support any underlying issues.

This is because glycine creates the protective barrier tissues that line your intestinal tract, gut, and colon, and protect the mucosal barrier of your gut (which is often damaged if you regularly deal with discomfort in the intentional tract).

By helping to comfort the gut lining and improve overall gut health, the glycine and glutamine in collagen may help ease symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.

Collagen loss can result in achy, painful joints, mobility issues, and an increased  risk of degenerative joint disorders. That is why when we age, we often become less mobile and have a harder time with our joints.

Collagen increases the proteoglycan content around your joint cartilage, which has been shown to help increase inflammatory response in your joints and prevent future injury or discomfort.

One 2008 study found that athletes suffered from less activity-related joint discomfort after supplementing with a hydrolyzed collagen supplement for six months.

Promising studies like this one make collagen a worthy health investment option if you’re looking to maintain healthy bone mass and joint mobility.

Although more research is needed, some studies are finding a correlation between collagen supplements and a  lowered risk of heart problems.

This may be due to the fact that collagen is an essential component of your arteries, providing structure to the blood vessels that move blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

Without enough collagen in the body,  arteries can grow fragile, weak, and susceptible to heart-related illnesses. 

One  specific study of 31 healthy adults found that supplementing with 16g of collagen each day for six months resulted in noticeable decreases in measures of artery stiffness.

Because collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, it’s absolutely necessary for reaching peak athletic performance and helps  keep your muscles strong and healthy.

One study of 94 collegiate athletes over a 24-week period found that collagen hydrolysate (type II collagen) was highly effective in supporting improved joint performance both while working and at rest.

By strengthening the connective tissues in your body, collagen may lower the risk of athletic injury by improving the health of the muscular support system, as well as help muscles recover faster. Not to mention, it helps build muscle mass and is a major component in mobility.

Collagen may offer great benefits for athletes and those with active lifestyles looking to prevent injury or strain, as well as potentially help  boost muscle mass after exercise.

Glycine, the  most abundant amino acid in most collagen, has been shown in some studies to  improve mood, induce feelings of calmness, and enhance overall sleep quality. 

Studies show that glycine has a  calming effect on the brain that helps improves sleep distress, daytime tiredness, and mental clarity.

It also helps lower core body temperature to help you fall asleep faster and may also inhibit muscle activity during REM sleep to help you stay asleep longer.

More research is needed, but there has even been some preliminary evidence that collagen-rich foods may play a role in supporting brain health and preservation as we age.

Although preliminary studies and real-world results show collagen peptides to be a benefit-packed multifunctional supplement, there is still much to discover about its potential benefits on our overall wellness.

As always is the case with any supplement, collagen is not meant to replace healthy lifestyle habits, and looking after key areas of your health with sleep, hydration, and nutrition is always the best method for supporting any supplement routine.

In other words, although collagen may have many potential health benefits, it’s not a magic cure and still requires a holistic overall approach that looks at all aspects of positive health. 

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