Proteins are one of the most important components of human health; without them, our bodies would be incapable of several essential functions. The typical source of protein is the consumption of meat and legumes, with some being superior to others in terms of protein concentration.
Unfortunately, some proteins are less common in what we eat and require specialized supplements. One of the most complicated proteins in the human body is collagen, which we initially produce while developing as a fetus. Collagen is responsible for creating several important body parts like skin and nails, but it is a remarkably finicky substance. Collagen deficiencies are a growing concern as more people face cosmetic issues due to reduced collagen concentrations in the body.
The use of collagen as a supplement has become common due to several cosmetic issues relating to the skin and hair. Collagen supplements have become more common in several markets due to their value as cosmetic boosters. While many people have begun to appreciate the benefits collagen can provide, there is a lot of misinformation concerning the extent of its abilities.
Specifically, you might not know what to expect when adopting collagen as a potential cosmetic tool. Managing expectations is an important part of supplementation, so you do not set yourself up for disappointment. Collagen supplementation is not as simple as a "before and after" comparison since several details affect the results. That said, knowing what to expect when using collagen is still possible.
What Can Collagen Be Used For?
Before addressing what results you can expect when using collagen supplements, we must first address why people use them. Collagen supplements are becoming more common because of a growing rate of hair loss and skin damage. While this is seldom a major health issue, it can cause distress for people who take pride in their appearance and want to maintain their youthful look. Part of why collagen supplements are popular tools for dealing with these issues is that they are generally caused by collagen depletion.
When our natural collagen concentration gets too low, our bodies cannot use it to repair the body parts it initially created. Our bodies naturally use the collagen we retain after birth to repair skin, nails, and hair damage. As we age, the amount of collagen we have to draw on is drastically reduced, and our bodies prioritize certain functions over cosmetic repair.
While this deterioration of collagen is a natural part of the aging process, many have taken supplements to counteract it. The problem is that collagen supplementation is only effective in certain circumstances and cannot counteract genetic factors. If you are genetically predisposed to baldness due to your parentage, collagen supplements will not have much effect.
If you have a collagen deficiency causing premature signs of aging, collagen supplements can be used to counteract the effect. Even if you meet the criteria for successful collagen use, you cannot expect it to miraculously undo the effects of reduced collagen. The laws of biology will still bind you, but collagen might provide certain cosmetic and health effects that make you feel more comfortable in your own skin.
What to Expect When Using Collagen For Skin
One of the main uses of collagen supplements is to restore the health and quality of the skin to maintain a youthful complexion. Considering collagen is the primary ingredient in human skin, it makes sense that incorporating more would improve our dermal health. Collagen helps produce the initial layers of skin we are born with and then works to maintain hydration and elasticity in later life. As our collagen levels deteriorate, we develop wrinkles and dry skin that impact our appearance and general comfort.
While this is unpleasant and undesirable, it is generally not harmful to our health. In more advanced ages, this phenomenon becomes more common and is considered a typical symptom of aging. Despite aging being a natural occurrence, people are eager to avoid outward signs of age, and many have begun using collagen.
Collagen supplements can enhance your body's ability to take advantage of its natural supply while having more to draw on. As a result, the extra collagen allegedly enhances the body's ability to resist aging symptoms like wrinkling or drying skin. Studies have confirmed collagen's ability to improve skin hydration and minimize signs of deterioration from age.
There was a review of 11 studies that focused primarily on women who had wrinkling or dried skin. The subjects in the test groups were given 3 to 10 grams of collagen daily over 69 days. The results showed that the test groups had improved skin elasticity and hydration, restoring a degree of youth to their complexion.
It is important to remember that these results are not a fountain of youth treatment, meaning there are limits to what it can do. After taking collagen supplements, you should see reduced wrinkling and better-hydrated skin, but your body will not respond if you produce collagen normally. These supplements apparently stimulate the body to produce more collagen independently to keep up with what the supplements can do.
Therefore, only people dealing with a deficiency can reap the benefits. If you have natural, healthy collagen production, a supplement will have little to no impact on your complexion. At most, you will likely experience additional hydration for your skin.
What to Expect When Using Collagen For Hair
Hair is the second major reason people use collagen supplements and is easily the most common concern for men and women worldwide. Premature balding is a common issue in young adults despite baldness being associated with advanced age. Unfortunately, issues that can impact hair growth in young adults and children cause it to start thinning prematurely. Like with skin, collagen is a primary component our bodies use to manufacture hair and promote growth.
Specifically, collagen contains multiple amino acids our bodies use to produce keratin, which in turn creates hair and nails. Without the initial supply of collagen we develop as fetuses, we would never grow hair, which is only moderately bad compared to not growing skin. Nevertheless, hair loss has led many to seek remedies that will help restore the luster and volume of their hair. The main issue that causes thin hair is damage to the follicles from which hair grows.
Hair follicles are prone to damage and obstruction due to several environmental and genetic hazards that impede their function. One of the most common issues affecting hair follicles is oxidative damage from free radicals, which irritate the follicles and prevent hairs from growing. This damage can stress the follicles, but excessive damage can also damage the proteins in your body and prevent you from enjoying their effects.
Fortunately, collagen is a little more resistant to this because it is an antioxidant, which means it can counteract some of the damage caused by free radicals. The problem is that the collagen you have left might be insufficient for fighting off the damage and restoring the functionality of your hair follicles. Supplementing your collagen levels can help enhance your body's ability to fight damage from free radicals so your hair can grow as it should.
Several test-tube studies were conducted on marine collagen (arguably the best collagen) derived from fish scales. These studies determined that marine collagen has antioxidant properties, making it a capable tool for fighting oxidative damage. One particular study discovered that marine collagen could fight 4 different free radicals that impacted hair follicles.
Additionally, the antioxidants in marine collagen are considered more effective than similar compounds found in several types of tea. While more research is needed to cement marine collagen's place as an antioxidant, collagen's role in creating hair makes it a viable tool to improve your hair's health.
Once again, you must remember that collagen has limits and cannot expect it to reverse baldness. Collagen cannot restore your hair if you are already bald, especially due to a genetic predisposition (usually inherited from your maternal grandfather). It can improve the health of your hair and restore follicles that might be stressed by certain contaminants and free radicals.
What to Expect When Using Collagen For Joint Pain
Joint pain is one of the more frustrating and common injuries that affect modern Americans, especially those who regularly engage in physical activities. Joint pain can be extremely unpleasant, especially when a chronic health condition causes it. Several degenerative joint disorders cause the cartilage between the joints to deteriorate and cause the bones to scrape against each other.
This causes damage to the bones and also induces pain when you move since it causes the bones to scrape against each other. Osteoarthritis is one of the more common degenerative conditions, but others have similar symptoms. Joint pain caused by osteoarthritis can make it difficult to function since you are constantly experiencing symptoms whenever you move the afflicted limbs.
Among the types of joint pain that osteoarthritis patients experience is joint stiffness, which feels like your limbs are too stiff to move. This symptom can be frustrating, but you can take steps to make it manageable. Shockingly, collagen supplements might provide a reprieve from joint stiffness. While supplements are no substitute for certified medical care, especially when faced with a chronic health condition, collagen can help somewhat reduce the severity of the symptoms.
A review of studies determined that collagen was able to reduce the severity of stiff joints and mitigate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. The cause of collagen's benefits for osteoarthritis symptoms is not fully understood, though there is a theory. The prevailing hypothesis is that collagen accumulates in the cartilage and stimulates additional collagen production. As a result, inflammation is reduced, the joints receive additional support, and pain is reduced.
In this context, collagen can be used as a pain management tool for chronic joint pain; however, it might also reinforce your bones. Human bones are made primarily of collagen, making them a valuable resource for our skeletal structure. Our bones deteriorate and lose mass as we age, making them more susceptible to osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Reinforcing our skeletal structure with calcium is common, but collagen can provide a slightly better result since it is crucial to our bones. In this sense, collagen can help strengthen our bones while reducing joint pain. Unfortunately, this falls under the same category as the previous points, and you cannot rely on collagen as a final fix.
When dealing with a chronic medical condition, you should always consult with your primary care physician. Additionally, supplements can make the symptoms manageable but cannot cure the disease. Most degenerative conditions do not have cures, and treatment and supplements can restore your quality of life despite the symptoms. Collagen can be a supplement that makes your joint pain less painful.
Keep it All Natural!
Collagen is an important protein responsible for developing several body parts and cosmetic aspects of the human body. Unfortunately, the idea that taking more of it can undo genetic and biological functions is slightly misleading. While people with collagen deficiencies can take advantage of supplements to restore their appearance, most of collagen's benefits are useless for people with healthy collagen levels.
That said, collagen deficiencies are more common in the modern era because we are exposed to more unhealthy substances and environments. Additionally, genetic issues are better understood, and collagen deficiencies can be identified more effectively. Acquiring a collagen supplement might be a worthwhile investment if you have a collagen deficiency or suffer from a degenerative joint issue. The problem is finding a supplement from a reliable vendor.
We at Bella All Natural have dedicated ourselves to offering natural products designed to improve health and beauty. We have always maintained that the best solutions come from nature, and using collagen as a supplement is a concept we fully espouse. That is why we have cultivated a catalog of products made with natural ingredients, including our Collagen Powder.
Our product is easy to use and can provide you with your daily dose of collagen if you need the boost. We encourage you to visit our website and try it for yourself, but no matter your decision, always remember to keep it All Natural!
