Everybody wants their skin to look younger, their hair to get healthier, and their nails to stay stronger. But it becomes unachievable with growing age and improper diet. Collagen is a protein that is responsible for maintaining your skin’s elasticity as well as helps with hair and nail growth. However, it is really important to know when to take collagen and here, we’ll be discussing all about it. First, let’s understand what collagen is.
What is Collagen?
The protein collagen plays a crucial role and is found in all the tissues of our body. Collagen helps with wound healing and helps strengthen the skin, hair as well as nails. Apart from this, it also helps strengthen the bones and provide elasticity to the connective tissues like ligaments and tendons. Moreover, it helps maintain healthy teeth.
The most prominent benefit that collagen supplements serve you with is the ability to support younger-looking skin. A lot of people have found a noticeable difference in their skin post collagen supplement use.
Uses of Collagen in Our Body
Now, you must be aware that there are various uses of collagen in our body. From improving the texture of your skin to enhancing bone health, collagen is responsible for it all. Here are some of the most important collagen uses you must know:
1. Skin
It gives strength and elasticity to skin cells by holding them together. Skin collagen can be broken down easily during the ageing process which causes wrinkles on the face or neck area. In addition, it keeps skin cells from separating from each other.
2. Bones
Collagen is a great protein to support your connective tissues. Therefore it reduces joint pain and also supports cartilage repair in between joints. A healthy intake of collagen regularly can prevent osteoarthritis and inflammation of joints as well.
3. Gut Health
Collagen also improves irritable bowel syndrome. Taking collagen supplements has proven to be good for gut health by strengthening gut lining.
4. Hair
Collagen intake has improved hair growth and reduced the thinning of hair in a lot of people. Ageing, thinning, and loss of hair are very common and are seen in men as well as women. Regular collagen intake has proven to be helpful to solve this problem by promoting production of proteins that binds hairs.
5. Muscle Mass
The pairing of collagen intake with Vitamin C makes sure collagen is converted into usable proteins by the body. This improves muscle mass and the energy output in the body.
6. Nails
Protein is the building block of nails. Collagen is the protein that can be included in your diet to maintain strong and healthy nails.
How Much Collagen per Day is Safe?
You have read that collagen is one of the most abundant proteins present in our body. It maintains the elasticity of our tendons, ligaments, and our skin. It is a vital protein in our body, as it not only gives elasticity to our skin but also strengthens our muscles. Other than that, it provides improved joint condition, skin elasticity, an increase in muscle mass, and improved heart health.
But as ageing continues, the amount of collagen naturally produced by our body starts decreasing. That is when we require collagen intake to supply our bodies with the necessary amount of collagen. This can be done by taking collagen supplements. Collagen powders have recently been a popular source of collagen for our bodies. The form of collagen used in these powders is hydrolysed collagen.
This form of collagen is easier to digest and thus shows its effects more quickly. The recommended daily dose of collagen for adults is 2.5 to 15 grams a day. It is very easy to include collagen powder in your daily routine. You can easily add it to your food and beverages and consume it. That will boost the amount of collagen in your body making not only your skin younger and healthier but also your joints and heart healthier.
Taking excess collagen might have some side effects but these side effects are not that harmful. Also, be sure to consult your doctor before you start taking collagen supplements. Before buying the collagen powder be sure to read the ingredient list properly. Also, one should take a dose of collagen as prescribed by your doctor.
Side Effects of Collagen
Like any nutrient or protein, collagen has its own side effects when taken in excess. The good thing is that the negative impacts of collagen are very less or rare. Most of the side effects are because of allergies and excessive collagen intake.
- If you choose to take collagen supplements then you must know how to take collagen powder too.
- You need to check their sources. There are multiple types of collagen, and each type has its own source. For example, Type 1 & 2 Collagen can be derived from Beef, Fish, or egg membrane. If you’re allergic to any of these you might face side effects of collagen intake.
- It is also important to maintain the right amount of collagen intake in the daily diet and prevent excessive intake.
Conclusion
Collagen is a protein that helps your skin maintain the elasticity and strength it needs to stay healthy. Collagen can also help promote wound healing, which is why many people use collagen supplements when they have cuts or wounds.
Collagen is of multiple types and can be derived from multiple sources including beef, chicken, eggs, and animal bones. It is important to know what is the recommended collagen intake and what source of collagen is suitable for you.
