The global collagen market is growing dramatically — it was worth $4.27 billion in 2018, and it’s on track to become a $9.4 billion industry by the year 2023. It doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, either.
With growth like that, there’s a good chance you know at least one person who takes collagen supplements on a regular basis.
Have you ever wondered what the big deal is with collagen? Is it really as important as everyone says?
The truth is that it’s a pretty powerful supplement, and there are a lot of benefits of collagen consumption, especially when it’s paired with a healthy diet and other healthy lifestyle practices.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of collagen and why you ought to take it.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein found throughout the body. It plays an important role in the formation and health of various tissues, including the ligaments, tendons, bones, nails, hair, and skin.
Our bodies produce collagen naturally. When we get older, though, that collagen production tends to decrease.
As a result, all of the tissues that rely on collagen start to lose some of their strength and luster. The skin may be more prone to wrinkles, the hair and nails may be more prone to breakage, and joints and ligaments may be more prone to injury and take longer to heal.
Collagen supplementation can help to make up for the decrease in collagen production associated with aging.
Collagen high amounts of amino acids — including proline, glycine, hydroxyproline, and arginine — that are essential for healthy skin and other tissues.
This specific amino acid profile makes collagen supplements different from other proteins, such as whey or casein.
Benefits of Collagen
There are many reasons why you might want to start taking collagen supplements on a regular basis. Some of the greatest benefits of collagen include:
Reverse Signs of Aging
Collagen is perhaps most well-known for the positive impacts it has on the skin. That’s why it’s a key ingredient in so many anti-aging products.
You can experience the skin-improving benefits of collagen by taking it as a nutritional supplement, too.
Many people find that, when they begin supplementing with collagen, the elasticity of their skin improves. They also notice a reduction in fine lines, increased moisture, and tighter, firmer skin.
Improve Health of Hair and Nails
Collagen is also great for the hair and nails, too.
If your hair is very dry or prone to breakage, collagen can help to restore moisture and reduce your risk of breakage. Some people also find that their hair grows faster when they start supplementing with collagen.
Collagen is a great tool for those whose nails break, chip, or peel often. It helps to strengthen the nails and can help them to grow faster.
Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite
Oh, cellulite. It’s the bane of nearly every woman’s existence. Collagen may not be able to eliminate cellulite altogether, but it can reduce its appearance.
Cellulite occurs as the result of weakened collagen fibers in the body, so it makes sense that supplementation could help to smooth things out.
The results of one study showed that six months of collagen supplementation resulted in a clear improvement to the texture and appearance of the skin.
Reduce Risk of Bone Loss
The loss of bone mass is a serious problem among older adults, especially older women. By supplementing with collagen when you’re younger, you can reduce your risk of bone loss as you age.
The bones are made mainly of collagen, so supplementing can help to keep them strong and prevent the development of conditions like osteoporosis.
Collagen appears to be especially beneficial for bone loss prevention when it’s paired with adequate calcium (a mineral that is crucial for bone health) intake.
Improve Heart Health
Collagen supplementation may be good for the heart, too.
Researchers have theorized that this is the case because collagen helps to provide structure to the arteries. The arteries carry blood away from the heart and deliver it to the rest of the body.
A decrease in collagen production could lead to weakened arteries and a condition known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis increases one’s risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack.
Reduce Joint Pain
Collagen is also well-known for its ability to reduce joint pain and promote stronger, healthier joints.
Collagen helps to keep the cartilage (the tissue that protects the joints) healthy and in-tact.
By supplementing with collagen, you can maintain good cartilage and joint health while also reducing pain and inflammation.
Collagen supplementation is beneficial to athletes and active individuals who may experience stiff or achy joints on a regular basis. It also appears to be helpful for those who suffer from inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Improve Digestive Tract Health
Finally, collagen may also help to improve the health of your digestive tract.
The amino acids in collagen supplements help to strengthen the lining of the digestive tract. This, in turn, can help to minimize the symptoms associated with intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut syndrome).
Intestinal permeability allows particles to pass through the digestive tract and into the bloodstream.
This increases inflammation throughout the body and can result in a variety of health problems, including digestive distress, skin conditions, and even autoimmune diseases.
Start Taking Collagen Today
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits of collagen for your joint health, as well as the health of your skin, nails, hair, and even the lining of your gut!
Just about anyone can benefit from adding this wonder supplement to their routine.
Are you ready to start taking collagen on a regular basis?
If so, head to our online store to check out our different collagen products. Our Collagen Complete Powder, which contains 10,000 milligrams of hydrolyzed collagen in every scoop, is a great product for first-timers to try.
Whether you want to try collagen or one of our other supplements, you can do so risk-free. We offer a 30-day guarantee on all our products, no questions asked.
