When it comes to the elasticity of your skin and the good health of your joints, collagen is required. This protein is present in your blood, muscle, bones and skin. It is actually a third of all the protein in the human body as well as present in three-quarters of your skin.
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However, as you get older, the collagen in your body breaks down and it becomes a lot more difficult for your body to create more. Therefore, many people use Glowso Health collagen supplements. These supplements are typically in powder form, however, you can also get them in liquid form and capsules.
Collagen is naturally made by the human body through the combination of amino acids. These amino acids are the building blocks of protein which you can easily obtain through the food you consume. In order to make collagen, your body would require the following:
Vitamin C: This is found in bell peppers and citrus fruits
Zinc: This is found in foods such as cheese, beef, shellfish, seeds, nuts, beans, lamb, lentils, milk, pork, chickpeas etc.
Proline: This is found in asparagus, egg whites, mushrooms, cabbage and dairy products
Copper: This is found in lentils, organ meat, cashews, cocoa powder and sesame seeds
Glycine: You can get this in gelatin, chicken skin, pork skin as well as other foods that are rich in protein
Health Benefits Of Regularly Using Collagen Supplements
Due to the fact that collagen is present in so many important parts of the human body, it is extremely important for good health. With that said, the benefits of actually using collagen supplements are still in contention. Do note that there is evidence that shows that collagen is necessary to reduce osteoarthritis pain as well as improve the hydration of the skin. However, more research on collagen is required, especially when it comes to health benefits such as reducing sugar and blood pressure levels.
Some of the benefits of taking collagen supplements are as follows:
Stronger And Healthier Bones
It is no secret that as you age your bones become more brittle due to the density decreasing. This makes it much easier for them to break and they also take more time to heal. According to studies, when you take daily collagen supplements, this actually helps to increase the density of your bones and also reduces the aging process. This enables your body to create new bones and helps them to be less brittle.
Improved Skin Hydration And Elasticity
Collagen supplements that are taken orally have been found to positively impact older people by improving the elasticity of their skin and their skin hydration levels. It can also reduce wrinkles.
Thicker Hair
It is common for men to go bald as they get older, however, many women also experience hair thinning and hair loss with age. There was a study done on a group of women who used daily collagen supplements and the results showed that they experienced increased hair growth, hair thickness and increased hair coverage on their scalp.
Better Nails
Many people have slow-growing nails or nails that break much more easily. There was a study done on a group of women that took daily collagen supplements and it was found that they experienced less chipped nails and their nails grow faster.
Lower Osteoarthritis Pain
If you suffer from osteoarthritis in your knee then collagen supplements that are taken orally can potentially provide some pain relief as well as improve how your joints work. However, keep in mind that it will take about 3 to 5 months of taking oral collagen supplements on a daily basis to gain these benefits.
Higher Muscle Mass
When you take collagen supplements and do strength or resistance training, this can enable you to gain more strength and muscle.
Possible Risks Of Using Collagen Supplements
It is rare to have any side effects when using collagen supplements. However, if you are breastfeeding or pregnant, then you should avoid using any collagen supplements. This is because there is insufficient research on the effects of these supplements on pregnant women or breastfeeding women.
Alternatives
The advantages, disadvantages and benefits of collagen are still being researched. So, you don’t necessarily have to purchase collagen supplements, but you can eat the right foods that assist your body in naturally producing extra collagen.
So, you will need to eat foods that contain glycines and prolines such as dairy, beans, beef, chicken, fish etc. In order to consume more zinc, vitamin C and copper, you will have to consume foods such as shellfish, whole grains, citrus fruits, leafy greens, tomatoes and nuts.