Collagen is a protein that is responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity. It is found in bones, muscles, and blood, and comprises three-quarters of your skin and a third of your bones. Collagen supplementation provides a variety of health benefits, including:
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Improved skin health: Collagen plays a role in strengthening skin, as well as in elasticity and hydration. As you age, your body produces less collagen, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles. However, several studies have shown that collagen peptides or supplements containing collagen may help slow the aging of your skin by reducing wrinkles and dryness.
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Relief of joint pain: Collagen is a major component of cartilage, which cushions your joints. As you age, your body produces less collagen, leading to joint pain and stiffness. However, some studies have found that taking daily collagen supplements could help improve joint mobility and decrease joint pain, such as with osteoarthritis or in athletes.
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Prevention of bone loss: Collagen is a key component of bones, and as you age, your bones become less dense and more brittle, breaking more easily and taking longer to heal. Some research has found that taking daily collagen supplements could help make your bones denser, slowing the aging process that makes them brittle and helping your body to produce new bone.
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Boosting muscle mass: Collagen is a major component of muscles, and some studies have found that taking collagen supplements could help boost muscle mass.
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Promoting heart health: Collagen helps keep the shape of your arteries and blood vessels. When you lack collagen, your arteries may weaken, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A small study done on healthy people found that collagen powder kept arteries healthier and helped reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
It is important to note that after you take a collagen supplement, your digestive system breaks it down into amino acids, which are then absorbed by your body. While collagen supplements are associated with several health benefits and very few known risks, there is scant evidence to support collagen’s purported effects on weight loss or gut or brain health.
