First, let’s get things straight–I promote a diet high in nonstarchy vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and complex carbs. Eating a balanced diet full of antioxidants and nutrients is the main focus to living a healthy lifestyle. But what are the benefits of collagen?
Collagen may be beneficial to a healthy diet because it is a no added sugar/fat protein source, may promote skin elasticity, hair and nail growth and reduce inflammation.
So why use collagen?
Collagen is one of the major components of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It’s sort of the “connector glue” that holds things together. Your body makes procollagen by combining two amino acids: glycine and proline and by using vitamin C. Your body needs high-quality protein that contains the amino acids needed to make new proteins. Protein sources including beef, pork, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, legumes and tofu are all excellent sources of amino acids as well.
Possible benefits of collagen supplementation
There are emerging studies and research regarding collagen supplementation, many showing benefits in the following areas:
Gains A.K.A Muscle Mass
About 1-10% of muscle tissue is made up of collagen. It is a necessary component for preserving strong muscles (1). In a recent study collagen supplementation paired with resistance training improved body composition and strength. It also suggested taking collagen may promote the synthesis of muscle proteins such as creatine, and may also stimulate muscle growth after exercise (2).
Wrinkle Free for Me Please
As we age, your skin can lose some of it’s strength, elasticity and hydration causing wrinkles, dullness, poor turgor. Multiple research studies have shown that collagen may help slow the aging of your skin by improving wrinkles and dryness (3, 4, 5, 6). The effects of supplementation help with your body’s ability to produce collagen that can promote elastin and fibrillar (skin’s building blocks).
Hair and Nail Repair
I’ve noticed significant changes in my hair. Supplementing with collagen may may reduce brittle nails and stimulate hair and nail growth (7).
Keep Joints Healthy
Cartilage protects your joints. Guess what happens as we age? The amount of collagen and cartilage decreases which is linked to degenerative joint disorders such as osteoarthritis (8).
The thought is that supplementing with collagen may stimulate your tissues to make collagen. This process could reduce inflammation and joint pain. (9).
Athletic Performance
Collagen is a source of amino acids
Collagen protein powder is ideal for post-workout nutrition due to its high amino acid content that supports the body’s protein needs during and after exercise. Further Food Collagen contains 18 amino acids and 8 of the 9 essential amino acids that cannot be made by the body and must be consumed through dietary proteins (9).
Muscular contraction during exercise is dependent on creatine, a molecule made of 3 amino acids – glycine, methionine, and arginine. Science has also linked oral arginine intake to increased athletic performance. A study showed that oral intake of 1g of arginine and ornithine for five weeks can increase strength by stimulating the release of growth hormone (10). Two servings of Further Food Collagen provides 1.3 grams of arginine, which may supports improved athletic performance.
Reasons I use Collagen:
1.) It’s an easy protein/amino acid source to add to my coffee and blends perfectly without clumps or taste! There also is a matcha that’s a delicious way to start your morning.
2.) Low calories, no added-sugar or fat. I can read all the ingredients…there’s only one!
3.) I workout often in the morning and sometimes I don’t get enough protein in my diet for muscle recovery. The travel packets are lifesavers.
4.) I believe there is promising research showing positive results. For those of you that know me, my hair has never been this long or strong!
COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
- Flavorless & Odorless
- Mixes Easily into Liquids
- 20g Collagen Protein
- 1 Simple Ingredient
