What are the benefits of taking a collagen supplement?

Collagen is a key structural protein found throughout the body and plays an essential role in supporting the structure and function of the body. You have probably seen or heard about many different collagen supplements on the market. You may wonder: does taking a collagen supplement provide any real benefit, or are the proclaimed benefits of collagen all hype and no substance? The truth is collagen plays a very important role in supporting various aspects of health and beauty and taking a collagen supplement has been shown to provide specific benefits in various tissues throughout the body including skin, joints, bones, muscles, and tendons. This article will focus on skin health, because it is one of the main reasons people take collagen. It will also discuss some things to consider when searching for a quality collagen supplement.

Collagen and Skin Health

Collagen peptides have been shown to help support various aspects of skin health. Collagen makes up a large portion of the proteins found in the body and comprises about eighty percent of the dry weight of our skin! As we age, our body starts to lose its ability to maintain the same level of collagen production that it did when we were younger. This is due to both external and internal factors. This can then lead to the typical signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture, and diminished radiance.

There are many different studies that measure the effects of collagen peptides on skin health. One placebo-controlled study focused on the effects of collagen peptides on eye wrinkle volume. Using just 2.5 grams of collagen peptides, the study participants saw a significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume. In this same study there was also a significant increase in two important skin proteins — collagen and elastin — which help provide structure and support to the skin.

There have also been studies that examine collagen peptide benefits for skin texture. One study used a blend of ingredients that included collagen peptides and showed an improvement in skin texture. Many subjects also said that their skin felt more hydrated, smoother, and less damaged.

What to look for in a collagen supplement

Because there are so many different collagen supplements out there on the market you may be wondering if there are specific things you should look for when choosing the one that is right for you. The answer is yes, because not all collagen is created equal!

The first thing to look for is to make sure you are getting collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen in your product instead of regular collagen. The native collagen protein is very large and not as well digested or absorbed as collagen peptides. Collagen peptides are broken down sections of amino acids taken from the larger collagen protein. These peptides are more easily digested and are better absorbed and utilized in the body. So make sure the product you are looking at either says hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides. Keep in mind that the quality of the collagen peptides depends on the average molecular size, which can vary based on the method used in the process of developing the ingredient.

Another thing to consider is whether the source of collagen peptides has been well studied for safety and efficacy at the dose provided in the product. Make sure the collagen supplement you choose has the appropriate amount of collagen peptides to provide the benefits you are seeking, supported by clinical studies. You should also look for a product that provides a unique blend to deliver more comprehensive benefits in addition to what you get from the collagen peptides. Another factor that you may want to consider is the delivery format, because many people prefer to take collagen as a drink supplement, instead of just a pill. The best kind of supplement is the one you remember to take and the one you can enjoy taking consistently.

Dietary sources of collagen

Dietary sources of collagen can include foods such as bone broth, which is generally made through boiling animal bones and connective tissue for long periods of time. The process allows the collagen from the bone and tissue to break down into the broth liquid. Other sources include the skin on fish, pork, and chicken meat. Because there are not a lot of dietary sources of collagen, people look to collagen supplements as a convenient and easy way to get extra collagen.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of what collagen supplements are and how they could potentially provide benefits. Not all collagen supplements are the same, so be sure to remember the things discussed in this article to help guide you to find a great collagen product. One such product that meets all the criteria mentioned is the new Beauty Focus Collagen+ supplement from Pharmanex, which focuses specifically on providing skin health benefits.

Beauty Focus Collagen+

Beauty Focus Collagen+ is a skin care supplement that is clinically proven to help support multiple important areas of skin health. It helps reduce visible fine lines and wrinkles, maintain normal hydration and moisture levels, and can help support collagen and elastin production in the skin. Be on the lookout for a future article that will go into depth on this new product to tell you exactly what it is and why you will love it.