Benefits of Collagen 30.05.2016

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There are different products in the market today that promote collagen. These have been taken for granted, some people just shrug their shoulders, missing these products to be added on their shopping list. To help you decide, we will discuss how collagen can help your body, especially when habitually taken.

Protein makes up around 20% of the body’s mass and 1/3 of it is collagen. It is normally found in the skin, bones, muscles and connective tissues, and it aids in providing strength and structural support. It is full of conditional amino acids like glutamine, glycine, arginine, and proline. Under normal circumstances, these amino-acids are produced by the body. In particular, proline and glycine play a major role in ensuring that the body is functioning well. Proline helps the artery walls release fat buildup in the bloodstream, reducing the fat in the arteries and lessening fat accumulation.

On the other hand, glycine helps to ensure proper cell functioning by building healthy DNA strands. It promotes healthy muscle growth and enhances energy production during workouts. Poor health and stress can hinder the body on producing these acids on its own. Collagen also helps form a fibrous network, upon which new cells can grow in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. It is needed for the replacement and restoration of dead skin cells. It also functions as protective coverings for delicate organs in the body such as the kidneys.

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While young, the body continuously creates collagen but its production eventually declines with age, reducing skin elasticity that leads to its sagging, formation of lines and wrinkles, and weakening of cartilage in joints. A dramatic reduction is highly observed in women after menopause. By the age of 60, our body undergoes a considerable decline in collagen production. This is the perfect time to include products that have collagen on your shopping list.

Other than age, there are also other factors that contribute to depleting collagen levels namely:

• High sugar consumption
• Smoking
• Ultraviolet rays in sunlight
• Antibodies caused by autoimmune disorders

However, by taking preventive measures as we get older, it is possible to avoid deterioration in collagen levels. Collagen treatment can originate from human, bovine, porcine and ovine sources. Collagen supplements are almost available everywhere and there is no reason not to include it on your shopping list, so you could maintain your youthful appearance.

In general, collagen supplements in any form have numerous benefits. As we age, our healthcare practitioners may highly recommend that we include intake of these supplements in our regimen. If taken properly with other supplements that support absorption, formation and use of collagen in the body, such as amino acids and vitamin c, it may yield the following effects:

• The increase in collagen levels can help skin cells renew and repair normally. When skin loses its elasticity as a result of aging, cellulite becomes more visible. Collagen intake helps improve smoothness in the skin and helps it look firmer.
• It helps joints move more easily, reduce joint pain, and even reduce the risk of joint deterioration. It was also found that this is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. It was observed that collagen hydrolysate helped decrease painful symptoms of osteoarthritis significantly while improving joint function.
• It aids in treating leaky gut syndrome, a condition where bad toxins are able to pass through the digestive tract. It helps break down proteins and soothes the gut’s lining, heals damaged cell walls and infuses it with healing amino acids. It also helps in the absorption of water, keeping the digestive tract healthy.
• It helps in maintaining a good metabolism. Glycine, found in collagen, helps pump sugar into the body’s tissue to increase energy levels. It also aids in muscle development.
• Collagen protein is also the building block of our fingernails and teeth as well. It helps keep nails strong and teeth healthy.
• Glycine, an element of collagen is extremely helpful in detoxification. It helps minimize the damage our liver goes through when it absorbs foreign substances that shouldn’t be passing through it.
• It promotes wound healing and provides a platform for the growth of new tissue.