The global collagen market was over 4.25 billion in the last year and growing still. Collagen has been around for a long time, but in the past few years, its popularity has grown.
It’s not used for fillers or injections anymore. Research shows there is a wide variety of benefits collagen for skin, hair, nails, and health. Let’s take a look at what the big deal with collagen is about.
What is Collagen Anyway
Collagen exists in the human body and is the protein responsible for binding tissues together, healing joints, repairing tendons and bones, and helping in injury recovery. Once you reach a certain age, your body begins to break down collagen way faster than it replenishes.
Ingestable collagen is an animal byproduct. Like humans, mammals produce collagen as a protein in their tissues. Collagen is taken from the cartilage, tissues, and bones of animals and ground into a fine powder or made into gelatin. This powder or gelatin have a number of uses.
Then Vs Now
Collagen popularized in the 1980s as a filler for lip and facial injections. Used to smooth out wrinkles and age lines, collagen was a notable option. Over time, research showed that collagen was not the best option for fillers as it faded quickly, caused allergic reactions on the skin, and didn’t absorb well.
Collagen exists in gelatin, yogurt, ice cream, soup and even in cakes. It’s been an ingredient of these items for decades. Most people are unaware of their consumption, so using it today is not a big leap.
Today, it’s on the market for other reasons. No longer is it used as just an injectable or filler, but can directly be ingested for health benefits.
The Risks and Benefits
Collagen has a myriad of benefits for your body. It is responsible for keeping the elasticity in your skin supple and youthful.
Consuming collagen increases the amount of collagen in your body, it and simultaneously stimulates the growth of new collagen.
Collagen For Skin
One of the biggest benefits you receive from taking collagen is what it does to your skin. When you have collagen in your system, it increases your skin’s elasticity, leading to minimal or fewer wrinkles.
The aging of your skin does not reverse but slows because the formation of wrinkles ceases. It also helps with adding hydration back into dry skin.
Though not backed by research, the word is that collagen may also help with acne prevention and eczema. Likely a side effect of oil imbalance evening out with the hydration of the skin.
Collagen for Joint Health
Your skin is not the only thing that benefits from ingesting collagen. Your joint health is also increased by strengthening your cartilage.
If you’re suffering from pain from arthritis, collagen may help decrease joint pain and the progression of symptoms. Collagen has the ability to lubricate joints and hold inflammation at bay, providing easier engagement with exercise.
Collagen for Bone Strength
Osteoporosis, a common condition associated with low bone strength and density, halts by taking collagen.
In a recent study of 66 women who ingested collagen supplements on a daily basis for a year, they found an increase in their bone density by a whopping 7%. The collagen helped with mineral and vitamin retention in the bones, limiting the development of the disease.
Collagen for Muscle Growth
Collagen isn’t just good for your skin, joints, and bones. If you want to get buff, collagen is your friend! It aids in muscle growth because your muscle tissues are comprised of up to 10% collagen.
Collagen contains protein and the trend is work out fiends are starting to replace their whey and other protein powders with collagen because of its many benefits besides just muscle growth. While it doesn’t contain the high amount of protein whey does, it is still a great option.
Collagen for Organ Health
Don’t worry – collagen has benefits for your organs too! Your heart benefits the most from taking collagen as it reduces the risk of heart disease.
Collagen is responsible for keeping your arteries thick and durable, making them unable to collapse or narrow. The verdict is still out, but research suggests it also assists in increases HDL levels and decreasing LDL levels.
Risks of Taking Collagen
The benefits far outweigh the risks of ingesting collagen. There are few risks, and it hasn’t been studied for long enough to know if the risks are detrimental.
Allergic Reactions
Those that have allergic reactions to foods like eggs or shellfish may react negatively to ingesting collagen. It varies from person to person, so the only way to know is to try.
Taste
Some say collagen leaves a bad taste in the mouth after ingestion, but high-quality supplements fix this issue. With collagen, it truly is you get what you pay for. The process of creating collagen makes it a high price point, so going the cheap route is not suggested.
Other Types of Collagen
We’ve talked a lot about ingesting collagen, but collagen does have other forms. Collagen for skin exists in creams, lotions, and oils. If you aren’t interested in ingesting collagen, you’re able to apply it to your skin for optimal absorption.
You can also take it in the form of a vitamin if you don’t like the taste of the powder.
To Take or Not
As you can see, collagen for skin, joints, bones, organs, and muscles has many benefits. Taking collagen addresses weaknesses in these systems, stimulates the growth of new collagen in the body, and prevents life-threatening diseases.
Research in this field is new, but many studies prove that collagen is a supplement that assists the body in a positive way. Negative side effects have not been shown, besides a lingering distasteful flavor, and some allergic reactions for those susceptible to other allergies.
If you’re interested in ordering some collagen to try, reach out to us on our website and place an order today.
