It's rare that a supplement could be recommended to virtually anyone and everyone. But unlike other dietary supplements that you may or may not be deficient in, and that you may or may not be able to absorb, every human and mammal for that matter needs collagen. Collagen is already the most abundant protein in the body. It's in nearly every connective tissue from the muscles, to the skin and joints. But despite it being the most abundant protein, our bodies can't produce collagen at a steady rate forever. No matter where you are at in life (age and health-wise) here are some reasons why you could probably benefit from boosting your collagen levels.
As a structural protein, collagen has a hefty role. It joins with other collagen molecules to provide a network of "scaffolding" that supports the structure of the muscles, blood vessels, skin, joints, bowels, and more. One perfect example that illustrates the role of collagen is in skin health. When we are young, the skin is bouncy, firm, and smooth. Up until age 25 or so, the body produces collagen at a steady rate. From here, the amount of collagen our body can store and produce begins to drop. The result is sagging, thin, and wrinkled skin. This drop in collagen production also causes the other connective tissues to become thin and worn, which can cause joint pain, muscle atrophy, arterial stiffness and Atherosclerosis, and losses in bone mineral density.
The best way to combat collagen decline is with an oral collagen supplement. Luckily, collagen is not just produced by the human body. Collagen supplements can be made from the skin, cartilage, ligaments, and joints of other animals such as chickens, cows, and fish. In order to "extract" pure collagen, it is heated through a process called "hydrolysis" which breaks its triple helix structure into smaller molecules, which are easier for your body to absorb. The result is pure hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides, delivered in the powdered form!
Even though the human body can produce its own collagen, oxidative stress can damage it and inhibit collagen production. Unfortunately, unlike many other vitamins, collagen is not readily available in food sources. Aside from bone broth, the only reliable source of collagen is a supplement. When we consume collagen, it goes through a process to make it usable by the body. After consuming collagen, it breaks down into its amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Rather than depositing pure collagen into the body, these amino acids then stimulate the body to produce new collagen.
Number studies have shown that collagen helps to decrease joint pain, boost muscle mass, improve skin health, and more. Here are the many positive effects of collagen supplements that can improve your overall health
You may also read our other article about the amazing benefits of collagen.
Essentially, because collagen is produced naturally by the human body, you don't run the risk of an allergic reaction. However, consuming collagen in excess amounts may cause side effects such as stomach upset. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the collagen supplement industry which means that if you do not buy from a trusted source, you could risk contamination. At the very least, many brands add artificial sweeteners and flavors to their supplements which can taint the purity of the product. If you're interested in adding collagen to your diet, consider meeting with a dietitian to find the regimen that is right for you!
The Collagen Complex Capsules by 1 Body are filled with 100% pure collagen. They are natural, non-GMO, and manufactured in the USA at a cGMP lab to ensure the highest purity possible. The 1 Body formula contains types I, II, III, V, and X to help support your overall health from all angles.
The Collagen Complex Capsules by 1 Body are filled with 100% pure collagen. They are natural, non-GMO, and manufactured in the USA at a cGMP lab to ensure the highest purity possible. The 1 Body formula contains types I, II, III, V, and X to help support your overall health from all angles.
