How Can Collagen Peptides Benefit Your Body?

If you’re a frequent magazine or blog reader, social media browser, or you just like to stay up-to-date on the newest trends, chances are you’ve heard of collagen peptide supplements. But what do we really know about them?

This article will give you inside information on collagen peptides, how to use them, and their benefits.

What Are Collagen Peptides?

This supplement can help you replenish the collagen that you’ve lost over time due to aging or a less than healthy lifestyle. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body. It plays a huge role in the elasticity of your skin and the health of your connective tissue, bones, and joints. Overall, it’s the key to keeping your body and organs strong and healthy.

Like a lot of things that are naturally occurring in your body, collagen levels deplete over time. Starting in your 20s collagen levels start to decline. Skin becomes less elastic and bones and joints are more easily injured.

Using collagen peptides is an effective way to boost your collagen levels. Physician Lim Sock Ling says, “Collagen peptides are more bioavailable than plain collagen, so they can be absorbed into the bloodstream more easily.”

What Can Collagen Peptides Do For You?

Collagen peptides may improve your skin’s texture, increase muscle mass, prevent bone loss, offer you a much-needed energy boost, and so much more. The good news is that supplementing your regimen with collagen peptides is fairly simple. If you try collagen drinks and powders, you’ll be feeling refreshed and renewed in no time.

Here’s a rundown of the major benefits.

Refreshes Skin Tone

Factors such as smoking, excessive sunlight, environmental pollution, alcohol, and drug abuse, and nutrient deficiency can accelerate the skin’s natural aging process. They increase your skin’s loss of collagen, causing prematurely dull, dry, and wrinkled skin. Fortunately, a 2019 study found that skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density improve with regular intake of collagen peptide powder.

Improves Joint Pain

Collagen may improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce overall joint pain when used consistently. One study of 66 women who took 5 grams of collagen daily for 12 months found that the supplement increased their bone mineral density by up to 7%, compared with those who didn’t take collagen. Another study from 2021 found that supplementing your diet with collagen peptides may help manage bone and joint pain.

Promotes Gut Health And Weight Management

A 2018 study found that when combined with a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise, collagen peptides can have positive effects on weight management. Collagen peptides work to help reduce the accumulation of fat and help regulate your metabolism. So, if you’re looking for a supplement to include in your pre or post-workout routine, this is one to consider.

Strengthens Muscles And Bones

Collagen peptides contain essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. They play a vital role in maintaining joint and tendon health because they help regulate, strengthen, and regenerate connective tissues tendons and ligaments.

Improves Brain Health

Collagen peptides help protect brain function. “About a third of collagen is made of glycine, which is an amino acid necessary for brain health,” says Physician Lim Sock Ling. One study found that when 30 participants aged 49 to 63 consumed 5g of collagen peptides daily for four weeks, they registered positive changes to the brain structure, language skills, and cognitive function. In addition, says Physician Lim, “According to a paper published in The Journal of Cell Biology, collagen peptides may protect the brain from schizophrenia by promoting the formation of neuronal synapses.”

Natural Ingredients With Collagen Peptides

For a boost of collagen, try adding these beneficial Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) supplements to your diet: bird’s nest, peach gum, sea cucumber, and snow fungus. Fish maw and bone broths are two protein and collagen-filled ingredients that are also tasty and easy to find in stores. Goji berries also provide a collagen boost – and they go well with green salads and make great yogurt toppings.

How To Boost Your Collagen Intake

There are some nutrients that can help you boost your collagen level when taken as supplements or eaten in moderation. For example, supplements and foods that are rich in vitamin C, zinc, copper, silicon, omega-3 fatty acids, and the amino acids lysine and proline help collagen synthesis. This means that your body can absorb all the goodness of collagen peptides more easily when you consume these nutrients.

Vitamins A and C, iron, zinc, and copper are also necessary for proper collagen production. If you are looking for plant-based sources, try sesame seeds for zinc, and sesame seeds and almonds for copper. 

Other plant-based derivatives that support collagen health are hops for silicon, hemp seeds for omega-3 fatty acids, Ejiao for amino acids (lysine, glycine, and proline), and seaweed, which is rich in proline and glycine.

As stated before, it is best to consume these ingredients in moderation and with guidance from a TCM or medical professional. Women with gynecological conditions should avoid taking Ejiao. The same applies to women who are menstruating or have a weak digestive system. Individuals with thyroid conditions should consume seaweed with caution. Hemp seeds promote bowel movements and should be avoided by those with loose stools or stomach conditions.

How Long Until You See Results?

Results from collagen peptides vary from person to person. Typically, you can expect to see changes in your skin, hair, and nails and feel the results physically in two months, or even earlier.

For long-term changes, you want to consistently take in collagen peptides. By adding products like Nanollagen into your diet, taking collagen supplements will feel effortless.

Collagen is a great supplement to add to your regimen! Combined with a healthy lifestyle, you’re sure to see great results. Will you be giving these highly beneficial supplements a try? Save this article or share it with a friend who might need a boost of collagen too!