If one was expected to name the most important protein for the human body, it will have to be collagen. It is the protein most abundantly present in the body. There are two types of collagen – endogenous collagen and exogenous collagen. The first type is produced within the body while the second one is consumed mainly for aesthetic purposes.

Collagen and Its Miraculous Benefits

Collagen is the key component of the extracellular matrix – an array of cells that holds tissues together. About one-third of the protein content of human bodies is collagen.

Let us look into various health benefits of collagen:

1. May slow down the effects of aging

The first and one of the most important magical benefits of taking Collagen is that it can help reduce the effects of aging, Collagen is naturally present in the body and has the function of holding various kinds of tissues together. Unfortunately, it can break down and deplete due to various types of health problems or simply aging. Moreover, the body stops producing this protection as you age. Thus, the only way of reducing the impact of aging is to consume collagen.

2. A rich source of Protein

As mentioned earlier, collagen is a type of protein and as such, any collagen you buy from the market and consume is a rich source of protein – not only that, it is also much earlier to consume than many non-vegetarian sources like chicken or beef as collagen present in its marketed supplements is hydrolyzes and requiring fewer efforts from your digestive system. Proteins, particularly collagen are desirable for people wanting to get or stay fit – it helps build the muscles that become a part of lean body mass.

3. Collagen does wonders for human skin.

The biggest reason why collagen is considered a cosmetic product is that it can increase the aesthetic appeal of human skin. One of its biggest perks is that it increases the elasticity of the skin, Moreover, it can help ensure that the skin will retain hydration better. The wrinkles on the skin may also be reduced. All these perks combine to give one younger and fresher-looking skin.

4. Collagen May Buoy Your Heart Health

Cholesterol and other buildups in artery walls are the biggest causes of many heart diseases. Regular consumption of collagen may have reduced these buildups while also strengthening the walls of blood vessels (which may break due to pressure formed by such buildups with severe consequences). Here, it must be noted that a person suspected of such health conditions must also take some other measures for optimum results and should not depend on collagen alone.

5. No more of that pain in joints and better bones

Joint pain is a big menace in the life of many people trying to exercise more. Collagen can be one’s great friend in such a situation as it can reduce inflammation and help repair the cartilage. That also means that you are a lot less likely to get diseases relating to collagen. Collagen is also known to maintain and restore bone density. Collagen is also used in the treatment of bone problems like osteoarthritis.

6, May help you lose some weight

If combined with cardio exercises and a balanced diet, the consumption of collagen can also improve metabolism and thus help one lose weight. Additionally, it can also add to lean body mass so that one is not only slim but fit.

7. Good for gut health

Some studies have also suggested collagen is great for gut health. People with gut conditions or inflammatory digestive health conditions are known to get better with regular consumption of collagen.

8. Effective against scars

The last but not the least important benefit of consuming collagen is that it can also be effective in removing the impact of any scars that may form on the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several questions about collagen. The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s) :

Question: What are some of the things to be kept in mind while consuming Collagen?

Answer: Collagen is mostly considered safe but it is prudent to consult a healthcare practitioner before adding it to one’s diet – it is doubly the case if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman or have sensitive health or a heart condition. Another thing that you should keep in mind is that collagen is not cheap and may add significantly to the grocery bill of those using it. Additionally, the best benefits of collagen are only derived when its consumption is combined with several good lifestyle choices including good sleeping habits, balanced diets, drinking sufficient amounts of water, and daily cardio.

Question: What are various ways of consuming collagen?

Answer: Collagen powder can be easily added to a number of recipes. Being dissolvable in water, it can also be added to smoothies and beverages.

Question: What causes collagen loss?

Answer: Several factors can contribute to lead to collagen loss in human bodies resulting in lower collagen levels. These include:

• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy,
• Hormonal changes due to menopause,
• Some health conditions,
• Oxidative stress when the same is caused by metabolic processes and lifestyle choices, such as poor diet or smoking
• the natural process of the human body’s aging slows down the production of collagen.
• Excess exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet rays
• Reduced levels of ascorbic acid or vitamin C, which might also lead to scurvy

Question: What are some of the ways of maintaining collagen without eating collagen supplements

Answer: The following are some of the other things that can help:

• Consumption of food items rich in Vitamin C. Several citric fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C.
• Wearing sunscreen and avoiding unnecessary exposure to sunlight.
• Avoiding bad lifestyle choices like smoking.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them here.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that collagen is good for health though expensive. If it fits within one’s budget and as long as one has the approval of an expert, one should go for it.