Experts Discuss the Effectiveness of Collagen Supplements in Boosting Beauty and Wellness
What is collagen?
Collagen is a crucial protein in the human body that serves as the building block of the skin. It plays a vital role in maintaining the skin’s structure, providing elasticity, hydration, and strength. As collagen keeps the skin from sagging, it directly affects its smoothness and plumpness.
Do we need collagen supplements?
Collagen levels naturally decrease as we age, especially for women entering menopause. This leads to the development of wrinkles and loss of firmness in mature skin. Starting from our early 20s, our natural collagen production slows down by 1-1.5% every year. By age 50, most individuals will have lost about half of the collagen in their skin. Factors such as diet, sun exposure, sleep, stress levels, genetics, and hormones can affect the rate of collagen depletion.
How do collagen supplements work?
Collagen supplements are designed to replenish natural collagen levels and potentially minimize the effects of collagen depletion. However, it’s important to note that collagen supplements do not directly add collagen peptides to the skin. Instead, the collagen peptides act as a feedback mechanism, stimulating the body’s own natural collagen production. This process triggers collagen-producing cells to generate more collagen, resulting in a healthier and firmer complexion over time.
Can collagen be absorbed into the bloodstream?
Collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed into the bloodstream. However, collagen supplements contain hydrolyzed collagen, which means the collagen molecules have been broken down into smaller peptides. These smaller peptides have a low molecular weight, making them more easily absorbed in the gut.
Different types of collagen supplements
When considering oral collagen supplementation, it’s important to look at the collagen source (marine or bovine), the type (hydrolyzed, dipeptide, or tripeptide), the daily dose, and the form of intake (capsule or liquid). Type 1 hydrolyzed marine collagen has been scientifically proven to be the most bioavailable to the body. Revive Collagen is recommended for its high doses of type 1 liquid marine collagen, along with essential vitamins and aloe vera.
Ideal daily dose of collagen supplements
To experience the full benefits of collagen supplementation, studies recommend adults consume between 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen per day. These benefits include improved skin, hair, and nail growth, reduced bone loss, improved heart health, increased muscle mass, and reduced joint pain.
Clinical research on collagen supplements
There is clinical research supporting the effectiveness of collagen supplements. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies are considered the gold standard. These studies have shown increased skin moisture and decreased collagen disintegration after taking collagen for eight to 12 weeks. Absolute Collagen conducted a gold-standard clinical trial, with 100% of participants experiencing improvements in skin quality and reported smoother, thicker, and glossier hair.
When to start taking collagen supplements
A preventative approach is best, so it is recommended to start taking collagen supplements in your late 20s to early 30s. However, the timing depends on your objectives and lifestyle. Taking collagen supplements in your 30s can be beneficial for both enhancement and prevention.
Suitability of collagen supplements
Many collagen drinks are not suitable for vegetarians or vegans as they are derived from fish or pigs. However, vegan alternatives are available, such as SkinGlo Vegan Collagen Support, which has been proven to be more effective than non-vegan alternatives. Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding depends on the formulation of each individual brand.
Assessing the effectiveness of collagen supplements
To determine the effectiveness of collagen supplements, reading about successful trials is helpful. However, personal evaluation is crucial. Technologies like Santi London’s Templar Skin Lab can provide valuable insight by measuring collagen levels and assessing the efficacy of supplements or collagen-stimulating treatments.
The importance of a healthy diet
Collagen supplements are not a replacement for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. While a healthy lifestyle cannot prevent collagen loss, it is essential for overall wellness.
Original Story at www.harpersbazaar.com – 2024-02-07 05:41:48
