If you have thought about taking supplements that help with your skin, hair, joints, and overall health & wellness, you most likely have come across collagen peptides. The term seems to be the latest buzz in the health industry; so what are collagen peptides, and how do they work to support health and wellness? To fully understand the extensive list of benefits that coincide with collagen supplements, let’s look at the science behind what collagen is and take a look at studies that suggest these supplements can be used to support wellness.
Table of Contents
What is Collagen?
Collagen is one of the proteins that make up cartilage, bone, and skin; as we age, our body’s natural production of amino acids and proteins – such as collagen- begins to decrease, which is why people seek out collagen hydrolysate and other collagen supplements. Think of collagen as an intracellular “glue” or adhesive that connects all the fibers in our tissues, bones, and ligaments, essentially holding our body together to keep it strong and healthy. It is needed for the growth and repair of every cell in the body. In addition to supplementation, collagen can be found in a number of foods and can be just as effective when it comes to its health benefits. A collagen-rich diet might contain some of the following foods: fish, chicken, berries, red & yellow bell peppers, garlic, cashews, tomatoes, beans, avocados.
Collagen Peptides for Gut Health & Joint Health
Supplementing your diet with a collagen supplement such as Collagen Peptides or Collagen Hydrolysate has proven to be beneficial for your skin, joints, and wellness. Aside from its anti-aging properties and overall health and beauty benefits, many studies have been conducted that show the benefits that it may have on your gut health. As you may or may not know, gut health is essential to overall health and often determines the state of a number of bodily functions, including brain health, metabolism, and your immune system.
The connection, or relationship, between the gut and the brain, is something that has been acknowledged and studied extensively. Some people believe that the key to many ailments is to simply improve gut health. Although improving your gut won’t happen overnight, many individuals start by making small changes to their diets and lifestyle. Collagen contains the amino acids needed to rebuild and strengthen the digestive tract lining, so supplementing your body with collagen peptides may be essential to overall gut health if taken regularly.
Additionally, collagen acts as a digestive aide to your gut. After it is ingested and begins to move through the GI tract, collagen helps to break down proteins and carbs to help food pass through the tract more easily, which directly supports digestive health.
When it comes to overall health, we must not forget joint health and mobility. Our joints allow us to do everything that involves moving, and collagen acts as a lubricant for our joints, but production decreases as we age. Healthy mobility works by allowing your body to move freely and efficiently. It builds on flexibility but also involves strengthening the muscles, balance, and coordination of your body for optimal range of motion. Supplements that contain collagen peptides may support healthy cartilage and joint function which can make a significant difference when it comes to healthy mobility.
Collagen Peptides for Immune Health
As mentioned before, a healthy gut leads to more restorative bodily functions, including your immune system. Taking collagen supplements regularly can help to boost your immune system because it contains glutamine – an essential amino acid that contributes to a strong immune system. The amino acid also helps to repair immune cells for quicker recovery as well. Supplementing your diet with collagen can strengthen the connective tissues that line our GI tract, which, in turn, is needed to prevent harmful bacteria that may cause sickness.
Collagen Peptides for hair, nails, skin
In recent years, collagen supplements have gained a lot of popularity because of their anti-aging properties and other beauty benefits. There are studies that suggest collagen supplements can help address skin hydration, elasticity, and density which can lead to younger, healthier-looking skin.
Often called collagen peptides or collagen hydrolysate, these supplements were created to assist your body with collagen production, having 8 of the nine essential amino acids, which also help to produce keratin – the fibrous protein that forms the basis of your hair and nails. Regular use of collagen hydrolysate can help your body’s natural ability to grow longer, shinier hair while strengthening nails.
Collagen Peptides vs. Gelatin Supplements
If you are considering trying a new supplement that will continue to support your overall health and wellness, a collagen peptides supplement may be a good starting point. The benefits of collagen supplements work from the inside out, supporting a healthy gut, immune system, and joint health while also supporting healthier and stronger hair, skin, and nails.
When discussing collagen, people often compare the supplement with gelatin, which is traditionally associated with culinary ingredients or thickening agents. What some people don’t realize is that gelatin can be used as a supplement too. Gelatin supplements contain a form of collagen called gelatin that shares almost an identical nutritional profile as collagen – they are both byproducts of collagen proteins. They have very similar health benefits when it comes to supporting your overall health and wellness. The supplements for both are odorless and highly versatile when it comes to consumption. Collagen supplements and gelatin supplements can be used in beverages or to cook or bake. One of the main differences between the two is that gelatin has thickening properties.
The need to choose between the two supplements will depend on their purpose, but keeping both on hand for different purposes seems to be the best solution. Both offer essential nutrients and amino acids that support healthier skin, joints, nails, and gut health. The critical difference lies in how they react to liquids and whether or not a person wants their supplement to dissolve (collagen) or thicken (gelatin).