If you’re trying to boost your health, you may have started thinking about using collagen powder. However, especially if you’re a beginner, you may not know exactly what collagen powder is, what normal sources of collagen are, or how to use collagen powder in your regular life. Doing research is a great way to better understand what is going into your body.
If you want to learn more about collagen powder and how to add it to your diet safely, you’re in the right place. We’re about to break down everything you need to know about collagen powder, including how it should be used and a few of the benefits of regular use. If that sounds helpful to you, please continue reading.
What is Collagen?
In general, collagen is a protein that is extremely common in humans and animals of many different varieties. In the human body, collagen is extremely common in joints, arteries, skin, and bones, as well as many muscles. Approximately 33 percent of the proteins in your body are collagen proteins. In particular, collagen is responsible for supporting structures in your skin and bones, as well as elasticity and strength in a number of arteries and joints.
Higher densities of collagen can be found in fish, chicken, and bone broth, and these are frequently used to make collagen powder and other collagen supplements. However, the human body generally acts as its own source of collagen until we reach older ages, meaning you may not need to supplement unless there are medical reasons for doing so. Unfortunately, there are no vegan or vegetarian-friendly sources of collagen or collagen powder.
How Should You Use Collagen Powder?
If you’re planning on implementing collagen powder into your regular diet, you likely want to know how much you should be taking and how often you should take it. Additionally, you may want to know if you are in a particular medical group that should be supplementing with collagen powder.
As humans age, our collagen production slows down. This can lead to issues in our joints, heart, skin, bones, and other parts of the body. However, some studies have found that collagen supplements may encourage collagen production in the body to increase.
While having collagen powder has many potential benefits up its sleeves, it may not be necessary for everyone to take it. While there are no issues scientifically connected with taking collagen powder, you may not fall into a group that would especially benefit from taking the supplement. Additionally, some collagen powders are made with common allergens like eggs and shellfish, so be sure to read the ingredients labels and cross-contamination warnings if this might affect you.
If you want to use collagen powder as a supplement to support health as you age, you may want to consult a doctor for their recommendations. While many studies have found that ten grams of collagen powder taken daily have been helpful for many individuals battling health issues, this amount may need to be increased or decreased to be completely effective.
Collagen powder may be a helpful supplement, especially if you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and a number of heart conditions. If you have questions about supplements or your health, please consult a medical health professional.
What are the Benefits of Collagen Powder?
If you’re thinking about adding collagen powder to your diet, you may want to know what benefits this supplement offers. In fact, collagen powder can support your health and offer a number of benefits to your body, including the following:
- Increase bone strength: Collagen powder may help boost strength in our bones, and it’s been theorized that taking the supplement might encourage the body to increase collagen production.
- Improve skin elasticity and hydration: Collagen powder is commonly taken to boost elasticity in the skin, which many have claimed can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne.
- Grow thicker hair and nails: Collagen powder is also well-known for boosting protein production that helps hair and nails grow thicker, faster, and stronger.
- Reduce joint pain: A few studies have found that collagen powder can also help reduce joint pain. By increasing the presence of collagen in certain areas, you may reduce strain and boost strength in affected areas.
- Add muscle mass: Using collagen powder may also help increase muscle mass, as collagen is a common protein in many skeletal muscles.
Many studies have shown that collagen powder has the potential to improve health, especially if it is taken over long periods of time on a daily basis. If you think collagen powder may be helpful for you, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor and do careful research based on your personal needs.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in boosting your health, learning more about collagen powder is a great way to get started. Collagen powder can be extremely supportive to your overall health, especially if you have a family history of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, or various heart conditions. However, we are not here to offer medical advice, and we strongly encourage you to consult a medical professional if you have any questions. We hope you found our breakdown helpful and wish you luck on your health journey!
