Collagen – More Than Just Skin
Collagen is known as the go-to supplement for firm, flawless skin thanks to its use in various beauty products and treatments. Being a natural nutritional powerhouse, it also provides a galore of health benefits to your overall well-being.
Improves Skin Health
30% of protein in your body is collagen. It holds skin cells together, ensuring the bond of the inner and outer part of your skin remain strong. Studies shown collagen helps to:
- Provide a noticeable enhancement in elasticity, moisture and dryness levels1.
- Increase collagen synthesis in as little as four weeks.
- Improve skin hydration levels in eight weeks1.
Improves Digestive Health
Stress, poor diet, lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle could affect the gut’s natural balance. Collagen helps to:
- Reduce inflammation in the stomach lining, protecting it from further damage5.
- Hold water in the intestines, helping food to move through the gastrointestinal tract more smoothly.
Supports Joint and Bone Health
If you lead an active lifestyle or if your job requires sitting or standing all day, you may experience joint pain due to wear and tear at some point in time. Collagen helps to:
- Support and protect joint health especially in those showing early signs of joint inflammation2.
- Slow down joint deterioration and reduce knee pain and stiffness to support joint comfort, flexibility and mobility3.
- Build bone density, encourage healthy bone formation and strengthen bones.
Promotes Hair and Nail Health
Our hair and nails require collagen to gain strength and elasticity. Collagen helps to:
- Promote diffusion of nutrients in the scalp to support moisture levels of hair and reduce split ends for lustrous hair.
- Rebuild the structural integrity of the nails so they grow healthily for stronger nails with reduced chipping.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Stiff and clogged arteries have been connected to higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Studies found that:
- An amino acid, proline, in collagen helps artery walls remove fat accumulation in the bloodstream, minimising build-up4.
- Collagen supplementation helped to reduce cholesterol ratio and cardio-ankle vascular index, which tracks arterial stiffness, enhancing heart health4.
References:
1. Yuzo Fujimoto, Miho Itomura, Yoshihiro Terashima, Kozo Yatagai. 2007. A Study on the Usefulness of Orally Administered Collagen Peptides Derived from Edible Marine Fish Scales on Human Skin and Hair. Fragrance Journal May 2007 Issue.
2. Moskowitz RW. 2000. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2000 Oct;30(2):87-99. Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease.
3. Elisângela Porfírio. Gustavo Bernardes Fanaro. Collagen supplementation as a complementary therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Rev. Bras. Geriatr. Gerontol., Rio de Janeiro, 2016; 19(1):153-164
4. Tomosugi, N., Yamamoto, S., Takeuchi, M., Yonekura, H., Ishigaki, Y., Numata, N., … Sakai, Y. (2017). Effect of Collagen Tripeptide on Atherosclerosis in Healthy Humans. Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, 24(5), 530–538. http://doi.org/10.5551/jat.36293
5. Koutroubakis, Petinaki, Dimoulios P, Vardas E, Roussomoustakaki M, Maniatis AN, Kouroumalis EA. 2003. Serum laminin and collagen IV in inflammatory bowel disease. J Clin Pathol. Nov;56(11):817-20.
