What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. The main components of connective tissues that make up for several body parts include tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles.
Collagen has many important functions including providing skin with structure and strengthening the bones.
Recently, collagen supplements have become popular. Most are hydrolyzed, which means the collagen has been broken down to make it easier to absorb. These supplements come primarily in powder form but are also available in capsules. The types of collagen found in supplement may vary, some may contain one or two types, while others contain up to five.
Several foods may naturally increase the collagen intake, including pork skin and bone broth.
Foods that contain collagen
Foods that contain gelatin, such as bone broth, provide collagen. Gelatin is a protein substance derived from collagen after it is cooked.
Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animals like chicken skin, pork skin, beef and fish sources of collagen.
Vitamin C is prominent for collagen synthesis, so one should also be sure to eat foods rich in this vitamin, such as citrus fruits, broccoli and bell peppers.
Health Benefits of Collagen Supplements
- Improves skin health
Collagen is a major component of your skin. The supplement may work by stimulating the body to produce collagen on its own. Also, collagen supplement may promote the production of other proteins that help structure the skin, including elastin and fibrillin.
- Relieve join pain
Collagen helps in maintaining the integrity of the cartilage, the rubber like tissue that protects the joints. Collagen supplements may help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce overall joint pain. Supplement collagen may accumulate in cartilage and stimulate the tissues to make collagen, this may lead to lower inflammation, better joint support and reduced pain.
- May prevent bone loss
Bones are made of collagen that gives them structure and strength. As the collagen in the body deteriorates with age, so does bone mass. This lead to conditions such as osteoporosis, which is characterized by low bone density and a higher risk of bone fractures.
Taking collagen supplement had significantly lower the blood levels of proteins that promote bone breakdown than those who took only the calcium.
- May boost muscle mass
As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is an important component of skeletal muscle. Collagen supplement help boost muscle mass in people with sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass that happens with age.
- Promote heart health
Collagen supplement may help reduce the risk of heart conditions. Collagen provides structure to the arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Without enough collagen, arteries may become less flexible and elastic.
- Other health benefits
Collagen supplement have other health benefits as well
- Hair and Nail
Taking collagen may increase the strength of the nails by preventing brittleness. Additionally, it may help hair and nails to grow longer and healthier.
- Gut health
Although no scientific evidence supports the claim, some health practitioners assert that collagen supplements can treat leaky gut syndrome.
- Weight Loss
Proponents believe that collagen supplements may promote weight loss and faster metabolism. However, no studies support these claims.
