Collagen peptides are becoming increasingly popular, and it may have you asking - should I be taking a collagen supplement too?
Before you can decide if collagen is right for you, it’s essential to understand what is collagen, as well as the different types of collagen and their benefits.
What is Collagen?
Simply put, collagen is a protein. It is the main structural protein in our body, and you can find it in your skin, hair, nails, joints, ligaments, connective tissue, gut lining, to name a few. Collagen is quite literally the “glue” that holds everything together. In fact, the word collagen comes from the Greek word ‘kólla,’ which means glue.
How important is collagen? Well, given that it makes up one-third of the entire protein composition in your body, I’d say it’s pretty vital. We need collagen for our body to function properly and if we want to support our overall health.
How is Collagen Made?
Your body makes collagen naturally by combining amino acids. I won’t get into the nitty-gritty science of it all, but in summary - when you eat protein-rich foods, your body breaks down the dietary protein into amino acids. These amino acids then become the building blocks for collagen. Beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy are all examples of protein-rich foods that contribute to collagen production. If you don’t consume animal protein, you must receive adequate protein from sources such as grains, beans, and vegetables, which will give you the amino acids required to form collagen.
Taking a Collagen Supplement
I know what you’re thinking - if my body makes collagen naturally, then why should I consider taking a collagen supplement?
As you age, collagen production slows down, which directly impacts your hair, skin, joints, bones, and overall health. Incorporating a collagen supplement into your wellness routine may help boost collagen production and allow you to experience the benefits of adequate collagen.
Regardless of the supplement form you choose - liquid, powder, or capsule - it’s important to understand the collagen types and their benefits.
The Types of Collagen
There are many different types of collagen, but not all of them are available in supplement form. Most supplements contain one or two types of collagen. There are, however, supplements that offer up to five types of collagen.
You want multiple types of collagen, as they each have different functions within your body. Here is an overview of the five types of collagen:
Type I: The most researched and abundant collagen present in skin, hair, bones, tissues, and cartilage.
Type II: The main form of collagen found in cartilage. Cartilage is the connective tissue that protects our joints, which is why Type II collagen is essential for good joint health.
Type III: Works in tandem with Type I collagen and is most commonly found in tissues with elastic properties such as skin, muscles, lungs, and intestinal walls.
Type V: Although produced in small quantities, Type V collagen plays a significant role in the development of connective tissues that are rich in Type I collagen, such as skin, hair, and bones.
Type X: Generally present in cartilage, joints, and bones, Type X collagen plays a crucial role in new bone formation and joint health.
If you need to improve a specific aspect of your health, such as joint mobility, it may be better for you to take a supplement that focuses solely on joint health, and in this case, it would contain only Type II collagen.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to improve your overall health, consider taking one that includes multiple collagen types, such as the BeautiBe Multi Collagen Complex. Our all-in-one collagen supplement gives you all five types of collagen in one convenient capsule.
The Benefits of Collagen
As collagen is present in so many different parts of our body and plays a variety of roles, it should come as no surprise that collagen offers many benefits. Let’s take a look at what are referred to as the most common benefits of collagen:
Skin & Hair
Collagen types I and III are essential for optimal skin and hair health. Although your body produces collagen naturally, as we age, production slows down, and thus, we begin to see signs of aging. We start to experience subtle changes such as loss of skin firmness, development of fine lines, and even hair loss.
Research suggests that introducing a collagen supplement may boost collagen levels and, as a result, improve skin elasticity, increase hydration, and slow down wrinkle formation.
Joints & Bones
Another reason to include a collagen supplement is to improve joint and bone health. Since bones are made mostly of collagen, Type I, to be specific, it makes sense that a high-quality collagen supplement would positively impact bone health by providing strength and preventing conditions such as osteoporosis.
Furthermore, taking a supplement containing type II collagen, which is found in cartilage, has shown to improve joint function and alleviate pain associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Gut & Digestion
When it comes to the benefits of collagen, gut, and digestion are often overlooked. However, some practitioners believe that collagen can improve digestion and even heal a leaky gut. We know that collagen is a crucial component in repairing the intestinal lining, and supplementation may play a positive role in healing a damaged gut.
There have also been studies that show that individuals with digestive imbalances have lower levels of collagen. This leads us to believe that supplementation with collagen may provide relief for symptoms associated with a weak or inflamed digestive tract.
The Takeaway
There’s no doubt that collagen plays a vital role in our body and overall health. However, when it comes to collagen supplements, it is important to approach it with an open mind and inquisitive nature. Although there are many benefits of taking a high-quality collagen supplement, more research is required. That said, they are generally safe, easy to incorporate into your routine, and worth trying.