Do collagen supplements work? If you’re involved in the fitness community, you’ve probably heard about collagen. Taking collagen supplements has been a popular trend in the U.S. since the 1980s. While we recommend being skeptical about all fitness trends and “fads”, this one is worth exploring.
Read on to get the facts about collagen and discover the truth about some common collagen myths and misconceptions.
One common concern associated with collagen supplements is that they may push you over your daily protein values by providing your body with excessive amounts of amino acids (the building blocks of protein). However, scientific research has proven this to be false.
Do collagen supplements work without affecting your daily protein values? Here’s what the science says:
“The PDCAAS calculations determined that a level as high as 36% of collagen peptides may be used as protein substitution while maintaining the indispensable amino acid balance and the high protein quality score of the standard American diet (PDCAAS equals to 1.0).”
The studies goes on to say:
“It is beneficial to include functional collagen peptides as part of the daily protein intake, not only for their bioactive properties but also for their rich availability of conditionally indispensable amino acids that may become indispensable under specific physiological situations and life stages.”
Do collagen supplements work when your body produces collagen anyways? It’s a common question, and for good reason. After all, why should we take a supplement if our body already makes collagen for us?
While it’s true that collagen does account for approximately 30% of the body’s protein, collagen levels deplete over time. In fact, you can start losing collagen in your mid-20s. Taking collagen supplements offsets that process, naturally helping you to feel and look younger. While collagen is an excellent choice for older athletes, young adults may want to take supplements early to prevent signs of premature aging.
Do collagen supplements work for boosting athletic performance? It’s true that many people do take collagen to improve the health of hair and nails, but that’s not the only reason.
According to one scientific study, collagen helps to improve skin elasticity and hydration. Collagen is also used to improve bone and joint health, as evidenced by another study that states that collagen is of interest in the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
According to WebMD, collagen works like a glue, essentially holding the body’s skin, organs, muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments together. In fact, the world collagen is actually derived from the Greek word “kólla,” which means glue! So, do collagen supplements work for strengthening your body’s essential functions? Yes—especially for older people with lower amounts of collagen.
As you consider collagen myths and truths while exploring health boosters and fitness supplements, it’s crucial that you stay skeptical and focus on label transparency. The unfortunate truth is that there are a lot of low-grade, potentially dangerous supplements on the market.
When it comes to facts about collagen, this one is crucial: They’re not all equal! The vast majority of collagen supplements are animal-derived, so like food, quality varies widely. Do collagen supplements work? If you want real results, you have to use real, pro-grade supplements.
At LFTD. Lifestyle, our premium collagen peptide supplements are only derived from grass-fed bovine utilizing a special process that ensures that the amino acid chains are broken down into smaller, easily digestible units. These are the same top-shelf supplements used by our founder, Brenton Simmons.
Before taking new supplements, it’s always prudent to do some research. If you’d like to learn more and determine if collagen is right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us to speak with an expert. Do collagen supplements work? Like all of our supplements, they work if you do! Get a great deal on quality collagen supplements at LFTD. Lifestyle.