Collagen powder is considered to bring youthful skin. Is it true? Because it may not act as what you think it does.
Somehow, collagen's just like oat bran in the 1980s. You can find it in everything. Not only does it appear in sports nutrition products but also pops up in plenty of packaged foods and beverages.
The ingredient has ended up to be the most sought-after in the functional food field. Grand View Research showed that its worldwide market would have reached $7.5 billion by 2027 with an annual development rate of 6.4%. Collagen has become a big business. So, it would be a pity if you ignore the collagen craze.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Actually, different amino acids - nutrients that generate this kind of protein - are what you need to focus on. According to Mark Moyad, M.D., the preventive and alternative medicine director at the University of Michigan, these amino acids are the ones you're eventually ingesting no matter what foods or dietary supplements you purchase.
The most lavish amino acids can make up collagen. That greatly impacts muscle building, bone, hair, skin, cartilage, and connective tissue. Your body can use collagen in many powerful ways. As a building block, it works like glue that sticks materials together.
What Is Collagen Powder?
You can find several types of collagen with a few clicks on the Internet. There are more than ten collagen forms, each of which consists of various “peptides" or amino acids.
You must figure out the supplement that is useful for your health. Most collagen peptides include a “hydrolyzed" type-I collagen extracted from hides, bones, or fish scales.
This type is similar to natural collagen in bones, skin, and cartilage. Products containing type-I collagen are usually bioactive ones that are easily absorbed by the body. Your body's natural resilience in supporting connective tissues such as bones, ligaments, cartilage, skin, hair, and nails is significantly reduced after your twenties. That's why collagen powder is a good choice.
Collagen Powder - The Truth Revealed
According to market research conducted by Nutrition Business Journal, in 2020, solely the United States beauty lovers tend to spend $293 million on collagen supplements while the number was just $50 million in 2014. When collagen has explored its way into foods and beverages, the market is estimated to rise by $6.5 billion by 2025.
Although collagen has gained a lot of reputation, questions and doubt still remain. Some strict consumers still wonder if it is genuinely safe and effective.
Don't worry. Mark Moyad, MD, Director of the complementary and alternative medicine program at the University of Michigan Medical Center said that collagen powder does keep its promise.
“Collagen has an extremely high glycine and arginine content. These two amino acids may boost your hormone growth. Collagen can be related to other growth factors and tissue repair, as well," - said Donald K.Layman, professor emeritus in the department of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois.
Effectiveness Of Collagen
Skin
Accounting for 70% of the skin structure, collagen determines your skin’s absolute firmness, elasticity, and smoothness. The dermis is composed of type III collagen fibers that help to keep the skin supple. On the other hand, the layer of skin beneath the dermis contains type I collagen, making the skin tense and stronger.
With an average aging rate of 1-1.5% per year, the remaining collagen is not enough to meet cells’ needs, especially skin cells. Therefore, signs of aging such as wrinkles, crow's feet, darker skin color gradually appear, leading to sagging and vulnerable skin.
Some 2019 studies concluded that short and long-term use of oral collagen supplements gives promising results. Specifically, it enhances skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal collagen density when testing with 805 targeted objects.
Blood Vessels
Collagen is responsible for blood vessel production. Therefore, this outstanding ingredient is suitable for those with weak blood vessels that are easily ruined.
Besides, collagen effectively prevents blood vessel diseases such as hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure. It has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of cerebral arteriosclerosis and myocardial infarction.
Bones And Joints
Collagen benefits for the skeletal system are no less than for the skin. Because the collagen amount adds up to about 80% of the bone structural components, collagen binds these components like calcium to create a strong and sustainable skeleton.
By accounting for 50% of the cartilage composition, collagen dramatically affects bones and joints’ function. Lack of collagen will make bones less tough and resilient. When this deficiency occurs, the joints’ friction becomes more significant, causing deformities in bones and cartilage.
Therefore, collagen supplements prevent and minimize joint diseases, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and avoid low back pain, disc herniation, and bone and cartilage diseases.
For example, there is a Penn State research. It included 147 male and female gym-goers. While 50% of them took 10g of collagen hydrolysate, the other half had a liquid placebo. Consequently, the collagen group suffered less joint pain during workouts compared to the other group.
Hair And Nails
Collagen provides nutrients to support the activities of keratin in hair, nails, and toes. Hence, if you are fulfilled with an adequate amount of essential collagen, your hair and nails will be healthy, soft, and shiny.
Eyes
There is a lot of collagen in the crystalline form in your eye cornea and lens. When encountering a lack of collagen, the eyes will inevitably be affected. Worse, corneal activities will get low. Aging amino substances obscure the lens, eventually resulting in a cataract that directly affects your eyesight.
The Immune System
Collagen also enhances resistance and increases immunity when creating a suitable environment for the development of beneficial bacteria.
Preventing Cancer
This is an effect that few people would expect. Scientific studies suggest that using extracted collagen can prevent the transformation of embryonic stem cells (also known as ES cells) into cancer cells.
The Top Pick Of Collagen Powder
The more abundant the collagen, the stronger and youthful your skin acts. Therefore, choosing a collagen supplement may be a real concern. After 25 years of age, the body’s collagen amount is eliminated each year from 1-1.5%. It is advisable to supplement collagen from day to day not to cause a deficiency of this nutrient. If you're ready to try a collagen powder for yourself, Doctor's Best Collagen Types 1&3 is recommended.
The product does not cause any side effects, according to The Department of Health's Food Hygiene and Safety. Its raw materials are certified for health and safety due to European standards. The ingredients include vitamin C (calcium ascorbate), sodium, collagen type 1&3, cellulose, stearic acid, sodium croscarmellose, and magnesium stearate. There are no ingredients that affect your health.
You will see the effectiveness of Doctor's Best Collagen Types 1&3 after 4-6 months of using the product regularly. Because you lose a collagen amount every day, preserving and generating collagen in the body to slow down the aging process, improve your health and skin beauty is essential.
References:
WebMD Health News
US News
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