How Supplementing with Collagen Benefits Your Health

By Susan Dickson

How Supplementing with Collagen Benefits Your Health thegearhunt.com

Collagen is important to your health. You have heard it from experts time and time again and the fact that it is the most abundant protein in your body. Collagen has quite a few important functions, such as strengthening your bones and providing the structure for your skin. There are 16 different types of collagen but the majority of them are grouped into categories known as Type 1, 2, and 3. These days, many people are taking collagen supplements to help increase their health in the ways that only collagen can increase it.

In this blog, we will talk about the benefits people get from taking collagen supplements, the reasons that you should consider it, and some of the side effects and things you might not have known about collagen as well as some tips on choosing the right collagen supplement for you. With that in mind, follow us as we delve into our blog on how supplementing with collagen can benefit your health.

Benefits of Collagen Supplements Revealed

There are many different reasons to supplement with collagen out there. Below, we will go into a few of the benefits to help you determine if it is indeed the right choice for you.

Improves the Health of Your Hair

Collagen is a major substance when it comes to the composition of your hair. If you have ever noticed there are a ton of shampoos out there that claim to have collagen as an ingredient to ensure that your hair is shiny and grows fast. However, it has been proven that applying collagen isn’t going to promote shiny hair and hair growth, you need to take it orally for it to help. That is why so many people are using collagen supplements today.

Strengthens Nails and Teeth

Everyone wants strong nails and strong pearly, white teeth. You get that with a collagen supplement. If you want strong teeth and nails that aren’t brittle and broken, adding collagen to your diet might be the best way to make that happen.

Supports Digestive Health

If you suffer from IBS or leaky gut syndrome then supplementing with collagen can help you quite a bit. The amino acids in collagen are known to reduce inflammation in the gut, aid with digestion and even help with the secretion of stomach acids.

Heals Bones and Joints

If you are having back pain, joint pain or any type of diseases that hampers the bones and joints, collagen supplements might very well be what you need to starting healing. It has even been known to have healing properties to those who suffer from osteoporosis.

Other Benefits of Collagen Supplements to Consider

Improves liver function

Reduces cellulite
Is known to be a metabolism booster
Can be used as a detox

Can promote healthy relaxation
Improves wound healing
Reduces inflammation

These are just a few of the top health benefits of supplementing with collagen. Now, we will go into the known side effects that have been reported about collagen supplements as well.

Side Effects of Taking Collagen Supplements Revealed

While collagen supplements are all the rage in the health and beauty world right now, there are some reports of their being quite a few side effects from the supplements as well. Below, we will go into a few of those side effects so you are educated on both the benefits and the drawbacks of taking this supplement.

Temporary Stomach Discomfort/Digestive Problems

The most common complaint about taking collagen supplements is that they cause people’s stomachs to become upset and end in digestive problems. Gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation are some of the most common complaints associated with this supplement. This seems to happen most often in people who are taking larger doses, so if it happens to you, you might want to cut down on the dose you’re taking. If the problems continue, however, you need to see your doctor and stop taking the supplement right away. Your doctor should be able to tell you if you are taking the right amount and whether you should be taking a collagen supplement at all as well.

High Calcium Levels Found

One of the possible side effects of taking collagen supplements is that calcium levels can get too high. While calcium is good for you, so that doesn’t sound like it would be too bad of a side effect to have, it actually can be. It’s good for you, but not in extremely high amounts. If your calcium levels are too high, it can cause constipation, vomiting, bone pain, fatigue, and nausea. Think about it, those are some rough symptoms for taking something that is good for you. It’s important to make sure that you are taking the right amount of collagen so that you won’t get sick.

Becoming a Hypersensitive/Allergic Reaction

If you have an existing allergy to shellfish or any type of seafood, then it possible to have a reaction to a collagen supplement. The same holds true if you are allergic to eggs. Make sure that you check the packaging of the supplement you buy extremely carefully, as some of the ingredients found in them could cause you to have a reaction if you are allergic.

These are just a few of the reported side effects of taking collagen supplements. There very well may be more that have not been reported yet. It is important to do your research before taking any type of supplement, just as it is important to talk to your primary health care provider before taking them as well.

This sums up our sections on the benefits and the side effects of collagen. In our next section, we will go into some tips for choosing the right collagen supplement for you.

Tips for Choosing the Right Collagen Supplement

While the benefits and side effects can seem a little confusing and overwhelming, below we can give you a few tips to help you find the right one to suit your needs.

Choose a Supplement with as Few Simple Ingredients as You Can

The fewer ingredients there are in the collagen supplement you choose, the less likely you are to have an allergic reaction.

Avoid the Flavored Versions of Collagen Supplements

While it may be tempting to go for the flavored versions of these supplements, they can have added sugars and chemicals that might cause stomach upset. It’s better to stick with the plain versions of these and then just add sugar and flavoring yourself, so you know what you’re getting ahead of time.

Talk to Your Doctor First

The very first thing you should do when choosing a collagen supplement is to talk to your primary health care provider and see if he can help you find the one that suits you the best. While they do have great benefits, it is important to know how your body will react to any type of supplement before you go “whole hog” on it.

A Few Things You Should Know About Collagen Supplements

There are also a few things that you might want to know about collagen supplement as well before you go running out to stock up on them. Those things are listed below.

There Are Different Types of Supplements

One of the most important things to know is that there are different types of collagen supplements out there to choose from. In reality, there are more than a dozen different types out there, with different amino acids or peptides. The type you choose should be according to what you need and your doctor should be able to help you make that determination.

The Most Research has been done on Joint Health

As far back as the 1990s, collagen research has shown that the supplement can help with joint health and pain associated with arthritis. There is debate as to whether the supplements are actually improving joint health or just reducing the inflammation associated with joint diseases. Either is good, but more needs to be known. Still, the best and most research on collagen has been done on joint health.

These Supplements Are not FDA Regulated

Perhaps one of the biggest concerns out there about collagen supplements is that they are not FDA regulated. This means that the FDA does not keep a watch on collagen powder to be sure that it is safe. For this very reason, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and do your research before stocking up on this supplement.

These are just a few of the things that you need to know about collagen supplements before you decide to start taking them. Of course, there are going to be myths out there about these types of supplements as well, so below we will dispel a few of those myths for you.

Myths Associated with Collagen Supplements Revealed

Should you eat Collagen? Should you inject it directly into your skin or perhaps you should just lather it on? There are many, many questions about collagen out there and many other myths that need to be dispelled. If you have any questions or just plain don’t know what’s true about this supplement and what isn’t, read on below to find out what we know about the myths.

Myth: There is Absolutely no Scientific Proof that Collagen Supplements Work

Busted:

There have actually been many studies done that point to the fact that collagen supplements do work for a number of different things. The jury is still out on some, but those are being researched as well.

Myth: It Takes a Super-Long Time to See Results

Busted:

In some cases maybe, according to what you’re looking to see results of. When it comes to improving the skin, research has shown that people who drink a collagen supplement have seen results in just four weeks.

Myth: All of these Supplements Taste Horrible

Busted:

Many people who drink collagen supplements say that if you get the flavored drinks they actually taste good. If you instead choose to purchase the unflavored drinks, make sure that you flavor them with sugar and whatever else you like to make them taste the way you would want them too.

Myth: All Collagen Supplements Are Created Equal

Busted:

No, all collagen supplements are not created equal as there are different types and different brands to choose from.

These are a few of the myths that are out there about collagen supplements that have many people scratching their heads in confusion. The best thing to do is deep research on the products and what they can and can’t do for you.

Should You Try Supplementing with Collagen?

This is a question that is brought up often and the answer isn’t all that simple, as you can probably tell from the information in this blog. Do your research, weigh the pros and cons carefully, and visit your primary health care provider before making any concrete decisions. While the supplements do have many great health benefits, they also have a few possible side effects that could hurt you. So, you should be careful about using them until you know what is in them and how they will affect you. The old adage, better to be safe now than sorry later is perfect for this situation.

This concludes our blog on how supplementing with collagen can benefit your health, but also how it can hurt you as well. Hopefully, we answered enough of your questions and concerns for you to make an informed decision on whether to supplement with collagen or not. Don’t forget to ask your doctor before making a final decision and you should be fine!