Collagen Supplements for Skin, Bone, and Tendon Support — What to Look For?
Collagen Supplements for Skin, Bone, and Tendon Support — What to Look For?
Can collagen come to the rescue? If so, what role does it have to play?
If You’ve Only Got 30 Seconds...
- Collagen is the main connective protein found in the human body. It features four key amino acids: Arginine, Glycine, Hydroxyproline, and Proline.
- In the past decade, collagen use has increased by at least 10% in Europe, 18% in the USA, and 28% in Asia.
3 Key Benefits of Collagen Supplements
➡️Collagen for Skin Care
➡️Collagen for Bones
➡️Collagen for Tendons and Joints
➡️Is Collagen for Anti Aging, Too?
What Types of Collagen Supplements Are There?
➡️Collagen with Hyaluronic Acid
➡️Collagen with Vitamin C
➡️Collagen vs. Gelatin — Which Is Better?
➡️Collagen Supplement vs. Powder
How Long Does It Take for Collagen Supplements to Work?
➡️Collagen Supplements Before and After — Reviews
FAQs
➡️Do Collagen Supplements Work?
➡️Why Do We Need Collagen with Amino Acids?
➡️Can Collagen Supplements Cause Weight Gain?
➡️What’s the Best Collagen Supplement for Sagging Skin?
FULL ARTICLE
3 Key Benefits of Collagen Supplements
Like with most remedies and therapeutics, there are often raving fans and nay-sayers.
Ultimately, the same can be said for collagen. But what’s clear is that hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of people worldwide are reaping the benefits of collagen supplements for skin health and wellness uses.
At the most basic level, we’ve got to think:
If collagen didn’t work, why would people keep buying the stuff?!
And looking at the statistics of collagen use over the past decade or so, we can see its popularity is ascending:
When you break this down by continent, the data shows that collagen use seems to be increasing around the globe:
Collagen use by continent.
Quite remarkable growth, I’m sure you’d agree!
But what’s causing customers to come back for more? Let’s do a little digging and explore the potential benefits.
Collagen for Skin Care
Reducing the signs of skin aging is, arguably, the most recognised benefit that collagen supplements and powders offer.
A study in the journal, Clinical Interventions in Aging, revealed that 60-day use of collagen supplements for skin brought noticeable reductions in:
An image of nasolabial folds.
Source: Medical News Today
What’s more, at the 12-week mark, supplement-users experienced a significant improvement in skin firmness and collagen density.
Hard to argue with that, right?
Collagen certainly isn’t an overnight “cure”, but even within 8-12 weeks, physical changes to the skin have been observed.
SUGGESTED READING: Nutravita's EFSA Backed Products: Hair, Skin & Nails
Collagen for Bones
Supplementing with collagen can help with bone metabolism. Specifically, this means that bone formation is promoted, rather than breakdown.
Oral use of collagen may assist in supporting a healthy bone mineral density (BMD).
This is important because low BMD in the body can lead to weak bones and disorders such as osteoporosis.
Particular advantages of supplementation are possible for women, whose BMD improved post-menopause when taking collagen peptides.
Collagen for Tendons and Joints
Encouraging data has emerged in terms of collagen for tendons and joint health.
A research review looked at whether hydrolysed collagen has therapeutic effects for those with joint disorders, such as osteoarthritis.
The researchers found that supplementing with collagen was:
a)Safe for participants who took it, and
b)Able to provide significant improvements in protein synthesis and measures of pain for people with arthritic conditions
And for the sports enthusiasts out there, a 24-week study showed that 10g of hydrolysed collagen per day significantly reduced joint pain in athletes.
Is Collagen for Anti Aging, Too?
Anti-aging is a somewhat controversial topic, as you’ll know. But let’s not shy away from it!
The question of whether supplementing with collagen for anti-aging comes down to this, the way we see it:
Is collagen going to turn you into a bionic, immortal human?
Definitely not!
But in clinical trials, types of collagen have been shown to help with reducing deep wrinkles and increasing skin hydration, when the supplement was taken for more than six weeks.
Obviously, wrinkles are a sign of aging that a lot of people worry about. So in this sense, there is scope for scientists to state that collagen has anti-aging effects.
What Types of Collagen Supplements Are There?
Collagen supplements come in many different types and forms.
For a start, you’ve got type I, type II, and type III collagen.
Type I is the one you’ll probably hear the most when it comes to collagen supplements for skin health and appearance.
Whereas, with another type like type III, this may be more beneficial for blood vessels and organs.
And as for forms…
Research has shown that hydrolysed forms of collagen may be best-absorbed by the body. This compares with gelatin and raw forms of collagen.
Collagen with Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is needed to lubricate almost every cell in the body, especially within your connective tissues.
Connective tissues?
Think of “spongier” places like adipose (fat) tissues, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons — where the body has to stay elastic and flexible.
Combining collagen with hyaluronic acid makes a lot of sense. Together, it’s been suggested that they’re better able to regenerate tissues and heal skin damage faster.
Collagen with Vitamin C
A 280+ article review found that pairing vitamin C with collagen improves the rate of type I collagen synthesis and bone healing, as well as reducing oxidative stress.
Or, to put things a little more simply…
Vitamin C allows collagen to be produced (and used) more effectively.
Collagen vs. Gelatin — Which Is Better?
Gelatin is referred to as a “degraded” form of collagen.
Hmm, that doesn’t sound too nice, does it?
But this means that the body has an easier time digesting gelatin due to its shorter amino acid structure.
There’s no need to get too lost in the science here, though…
Because hydrolysed collagen (the form found in some leading collagen supplements) is even less hassle for the body to digest than gelatin.
Collagen vs. Gelatin — The Differences
Source: Healthline
Collagen Supplement vs. Powder
Really, this one’s going to come down to personal preference...
Do you prefer powders to mix into drinks or smoothies?
Powder might be for you — but they tend to be messier and come in larger containers, taking up more storage space.
Supplements, meanwhile, are quicker to take, simpler to store, and inoffensive to the taste buds!
Marine Collagen with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C & E
How Long Does It Take for Collagen Supplements to Work?
We’ve spoken about studies that have shown collagen supplements for skin can reduce wrinkles, dryness, and folds after 60 days.
Reason for cheer, then!
But depending on the type of wellness cause you’re buying collagen for, it’s best to take a look at the reviews. This can give you a birds eye view of what customers who’ve taken a supplement themselves have said about it.
Collagen Supplements Before and After — Reviews
Type “collagen supplements” into Amazon and you’ll find that Nutravita’s Marine Collagen is one of the top-ranked.
In fact, as of March 2021, it’s been voted as Amazon’s Choice (please see below).
Marine Collagen 1000mg — Made in the UK
You’ll notice there are 2,760+ reviews, with a 4.5* average rating. But what are some of the before and after stories?
We won’t bombard you with too many reviews! So let’s stick to three or four:
“After six weeks the ‘age spots’ on the back of my hands had disappeared.”
— Katie, 4 February 202
“These are simply a godsend to help with the pain I get in my joints now the colder weather is here!”
— Blackjynx, 22 December 2019
“I have already reordered another batch… Absolutely love the care that NutraVita has with their products.”
— Catarina, 26 May 2020
"I’ve only been taking these for a week and im happy with them, i feel my skin is brighter not as spotty.”
— MISS F., 24 November 2019
Thanks for your time 😊
So, we’ve gone on a whistle-stop tour of the benefits of boosting your collagen levels. What did you think?
There’s certainly a wealth of encouraging evidence and results if you’re looking to take a collagen supplement for skin, bone, or tendon health.
Hydrolysed forms of collagen seem to be most effective, which is why we choose to lead with this in our skin, hair, and nails range.
Feel free to have a browse through the range if you get a spare minute.
Or, if you need to ask us any questions, you can head over to our contact page. Speak with you soon!
To healthier days
NEXT READ: Vitamin D3 and K2 — Why Is Their Nourishing Partnership So Good for the Body?
FAQs
Do Collagen Supplements Work?
Seeing as collagen is the most widely found protein in the human body, there’s good reason to suggest that supplementing depleted collagen stores may have wellness benefits.
The top six noted benefits of collagen supplements include:
Why Do We Need Collagen with Amino Acids?
19 different amino acids are contained in collagen. But the most dominant of these acids are alanine, glycine, hydroxyproline, and proline.
They’re essential to the body because they act as building blocks for connective tissues, and activate cells found in areas such as the skin, hair, and nails.
Can Collagen Supplements Cause Weight Gain?
Collagen is not thought to cause weight gain. Rather, collagen tends to be viewed as one of the most satiating types of protein — which can help to ward off hunger for longer.
One thing to pay attention to when taking a collagen supplement is calories. For example, certain powders can be higher in calories, which may lead to an increase in body weight.
What’s the Best Collagen Supplement for Sagging Skin?
Medical publishers have noted that hydrolysed forms of collagen (collagen hydrolysate) may have the most promise for skin health.
The benefits of supplementation can include increased collagen density for skin hydration and wound healing.
P.S. Use the social buttons at the top of this page, if you want to share the article with any friends or family who may be interested in skin or joint health. Thanks!
Co-written by Declan Davey
Declan is a Health Copywriter with a professional background as an NHS therapist. His previous roles include work with mental health services and disability charities in London, UK.
**Disclaimer: Nutravita’s blog content is for informational purposes only. It should not be viewed as a substitute for professional medical advice or guidance. If you are worried about your health, we recommend that you contact your doctor. Please do not ignore your doctor’s advice because of any information on https://www.nutravita.co.uk/.
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