The Importance of Taking Collagen Supplements
Even though it’s the largest organ, the skin is also one of the most neglected parts of the body. Although these days more and more of us are giving our best to develop healthy skin and beauty care routines, approaching the ‘problem’ from within is what needs to be done. After all, the food we eat directly affects the health and state of our skin. And in addition to a balanced diet, taking some healthy food supplements can also help you in achieving the wanted results.
Why We Need Food Supplements?
The simplest explanation for this is that the purpose of any food supplement is to add a little extra of the needed vitamins, minerals and proteins. Their goal is to ensure that your body is getting the needed amount of all essential nutrients and make up for the poor nutrient intake.
And when it comes to skin health, the best supplement you could take is collagen. It is said that collagen is the most neglected protein in the body which is responsible not only for having glowing and elastic skin but also for having healthy joints and bones.
Collagen is naturally created in our body and can be found in the bones, muscles, ligaments and skin. Although extremely important for our well-being, unfortunately, collagen can break down over time. And it also doesn’t help that when ageing, the body can’t produce more collagen and people start to face a lot of problems. In order to avoid this, you can take collagen in the form of a supplement and make up for its deficiency on time.
Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements
Improved Skin Health
No matter how you pamper your skin, if you’ve come to an age where the collagen in your body starts to break down, reaping the benefits from health food supplements is the only option you have in order to compensate for the decreased collagen. By investing in the proper dietary supplement, you will help your skin gain back its elasticity, glow and appearance.
With the right dosage, you can help your body to produce collagen on its own. And this can help slow down skin ageing by reducing the appearance of dryness and wrinkles. It’s also said that taking collagen orally can promote the production of some other proteins in the body like fibrillin and elastin.
Besides improving the condition of your skin, collagen can also increase the strength of your nails and hair and promote their growth. According to some people, collagen can also improve gut and brain health and can promote weight loss and a faster metabolism. What you need to know is that none of these things has been 100% medically supported because more research is needed.
Bone Loss Prevention
Just like collagen breaks down over time, the same happens with bone mass. Unfortunately, the loss of collagen in the bones can lead to a condition well-known as osteoporosis which is associated with bone fractures. Luckily, there is a chance for this condition to be prevented by taking supplements.
Reduced Joint Pain and Inflammation
Another great benefit of taking collagen is its ability to maintain the cartilage (the connective tissue) that is designed to protect the joints. In other words, taking collagen can also reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen synthesis in the body which, on the other hand, can promote pain relief among people with joint disorders.
Improved Muscle Mass
Considering the fact that between 1 – 10% of the muscle tissue is composed of collagen, having it in the needed amount in the body is crucial for helping the muscles work properly. Studies have shown that collagen supplements can also boost muscle mass in people who have lost lots of muscle mass with age.
Reduced Risk of Heart-Related Problems
Because collagen provides structure to the arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body), it is said that without it, the arteries could become weak and fragile which is not good at all. According to medicine, weak arteries can lead to atherosclerosis which is a disease that narrows down the arteries. Unfortunately, this is a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
However, this condition can be prevented by taking collagen regularly and in the right dosage. It’s said that collagen can prevent or reduce artery stiffness and reduce the chances of developing heart-related conditions in healthy adults. Although a food supplement, you should certainly consult with your health provider if you want to take collagen as a precaution against atherosclerosis or any other heart condition.
As you can see, taking collagen supplements can aid you in many ways, however, you should always consult with your health provider before taking them or any other health supplement. This is essential so your doctor could make an evaluation first and recommend the needed dosage.