Using collagen protein supplements to support health and wellness is becoming increasingly popular among both fitness and beauty enthusiasts. It seems as though collagen gained a full following overnight. But what is collagen protein? Let’s dive into the facts about collagen and consider why you may want to add more collagen to your health regiment.

What is Collagen Protein?

Collagen is a structural protein; it’s one of the most prevalent proteins within the human body. In fact, over one-third of the total protein within the body is collagen. This is a structural protein found within bones, cartilage, connective tissues, eyes, and blood vessels. It acts a bit like glue within our bodies, literally holding us together.

How Does Collagen Protein Work and What Does It Do?

As we age, the body produces less of its own collagen. These proteins are essential to maintaining a healthy gut, helping build strong bones and joints, and maintaining strong hair, skin, and nails. Collagen helps maintain heart and liver function and can also help with healthy weight management.

These proteins work as the building blocks needed to help improve the body’s overall strength. By supporting the health of your skin, bones, muscle tissue, and tendons and by fighting inflammation, collagen protein plays an essential role within the human body.

What are the Top 5 Reasons You Should Add It Into Your Diet

There are many reasons to actively maintain healthy collagen levels in your body. If you’re looking to improve your health and wellness, adding collagen to your diet is a great place to start. Collagen proteins have been shown to offer incredible benefits like:

  • Improving Heart Health– Collagen protein has been reported to help prevent the buildup of plaque within the arteries and aid in lowering the body’s bad cholesterol levels while raising the good cholesterol levels. Collagen adds support to your arteries, helping to keep them strong.
  • Helping Build Strong Bones– Of the protein within bones, collagen is the most prominent. Taking collagen can help repress bone breakdown and help to maintain healthy, strong bones.
  • Aiding in Healthy Skin, Hair, and Nail Maintenance– Collagen adds more hydration and elasticity to the skin and strengthens the hair and nails. By adding collagen protein to your diet, your body will absorb the vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain healthier looking hair, skin, and nails.
  • Promotes Gut Health– Low collagen levels have been linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and leaky gut symptoms. To protect your gut against inflammation and promote gut health, try increasing your collagen intake.
  • Help Alleviate Joint Pain– Collagen protein has been reported to help alleviate joint pain and repress osteoarthritis symptoms. Taking collagen supplements, such as powders, you can help your body rebuild cartilage and stimulate the natural growth of collagen.
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How Can You Add Collagen Into Your Diet?

There are many ways you can incorporate collagen protein into your everyday life. Commonly sold collagen supplements include:

  • Collagen Powder– Adding collagen powder to drinks and food is a great way to ingest more collagen. Learn more about collagen protein powder here.
  • Collagen Capsules– Capsules offer an easy and convenient way to add more collagen to your diet, especially when on the go.
  • Topical Serums– Applying collagen serums may help you keep your skin, hair, and nails looking strong and healthy.

Another option is to alter your diet to include more collagen-rich foods. To increase your collagen intake, focus on foods like:

  • Bone broth,
  • Fish and shellfish,
  • Eggs,
  • Avocados,
  • Green vegetables,
  • Garlic,
  • Chia seeds, and
  • Berries

Adding any of these foods to your diet can make a significant difference in your body’s collagen levels. Eating foods rich in collagen also have additional nutrients that are known to help the body absorb collagen more efficiently.

So, while taking supplements is recommended, it’s equally important to maintain a well-balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals. Before making any drastic changes to your diet, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor.

Collagen Protein and Your Health

Once you understand collagen’s function and benefits, it’s pretty easy to see what the hype around collagen supplements is all about. By simply adding this one protein to your diet, you can potentially improve your heart, bone, joint, gut, and skin health.