Collagen offers many benefits to the body. It can improve both our health and fitness. Collagen is not a commonly talked about supplement in the fitness community. However, it has been receiving a lot of buzz within the last few years.
In this article, we are going to discuss some of the amazing benefits of collagen and why collagen supplementation is important if you are over the age of 25.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a source of protein our bodies produce in large quantities. It accounts for roughly 30% of the body’s protein. Collagen contributes to bodily structure including hair, skin, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Many animal sources of protein are rich in collagen. You can also get collagen in the form of a powdered substance.
Collagen Can Make You Look Younger
After the age of 25, your body’s natural collagen production starts to decline, which can make you appear older than you really are.
By becoming conscious of your collagen intake, you can rejuvenate your cells, improve your skin elasticity, and reduce visible wrinkles. This will give you a more youthful appearance in your 30s and 40s.
There is also evidence to support that collagen supplementation can prevent acne and other skin-related conditions.
Collagen Can Improve Joint Health
Collagen helps support the strength of your cartilage, which is a rubber-like tissue that protects your joints. This is important for the mobility of body parts such as the knees, ankles, and elbows.
The aging process naturally depletes your body of collagen and therefore puts you at risk for joint-related diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Many studies have shown collagen supplementation to be effective at reducing inflammation, which can reduce the risk of joint disorders.
A 6-month study was published in the National Library of Medicine examining the effects of collagen supplementation on athletes who were complaining of activity-related joint pain.
Participants were broken up into 2 groups. One group was given 10 grams of collagen per day. The other group was given a fake pill every day.
The group of athletes that were given the collagen reported significantly less joint pain by the end of the trial compared to the placebo group.
How Collagen Affects Your Bones
Another unfortunate reality of getting older is the loss of bone density and mass. Many people don’t know this but the bones in the human body are made from collagen. If you lose too much bone from aging, you put yourself at risk of developing Osteoporosis. It is a bone disease associated with the thinning of bone tissue and loss of mechanical strength.
Several research studies were conducted on women who combined collagen supplementation with calcium supplementation. The results of the studies showed the women who added collagen to their supplement regimen had far less bone breakdown than the women who did not add collagen to their supplement regimen.
Collagen and Heart Health
A collagen deficiency can put you at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The structure of your arteries is supported by collagen. The arteries keep blood flowing to and from the heart. A lack of collagen can lead to weak and fragile arteries.
Research has shown that daily collagen supplementation increases levels of HDL Cholesterol or good cholesterol in the body. This is important for reducing the risk of developing serious heart conditions.
Collagen Can Help You Lose Weight
Collagen is a protein supplement. You can use it as a tool to assist with your fat loss efforts. If you are in a caloric deficit and you are having trouble getting sufficient protein in your diet, you can use collagen to help you hit your nutrition numbers.
Many collagen supplements are low in calories. You may invest in a supplement that only has 80 calories per scope and gives you 18 grams of protein per scope. That is a lot of protein for such a small caloric investment.
A good quality collagen supplement can:
- Help you hit your body’s protein needs while staying in a calorie deficit.
- Keep your satiety hormone Leptin elevated in a caloric deficit.
- Ensure you retain muscle as you lose body fat.
Collagen supplementation is very powerful for weight loss.
How Collagen Can Increase Muscle Mass
Between 1% and 10% of your muscle tissue is made up of collagen. It is imperative for maintaining functional strength.
Research has suggested that collagen works in partnership with creatine in promoting muscle protein synthesis. This affect occurs after a heavy resistance training session.
A 3-month study was published in the National Library of Medicine to examine the effects of collagen supplementation on skinny men in their mid-late 20s. These men were place in a 12-week daily exercise program that included heavy resistance training.
25 men were divided into 2 groups. One group was given 15 grams of collagen peptides per day. The other group was given a 0-calorie placebo every day. By the end of the study, the collagen group had significantly more muscle mass and strength compared to the non-collagen group.
Best Sources of Collagen
The best sources of collagen will come primarily from the skin and tissue of animal products.
These animal products include:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Pork
- Eggs
- Fish
If your diet is vegetarian or vegan, your body is not going to have anywhere near the collagen production as someone on a traditional meat and dairy diet. Collagen protein contains a unique set of amino acids that is found only in animal parts.
Unfortunately, these amino acids are not naturally produced in plants. However, if you are vegetarian or vegan, you can still encourage collagen production in your body by eating plant-based foods that are high in Vitamin C.
Collagen Protein vs Whey Protein for Digestion
Whey protein is by far the most popular protein supplement on the fitness market. It is a complete protein, so it contains all 9 essential amino acids. It is one of the 2 main proteins found in milk.
If you are someone who prefers not to use a protein supplement, particularly a whey protein supplement, it could be because of digestive issues associated with it.
Some individuals consuming whey protein may experience digestive issues such as:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
These issues may be due to lactose intolerance or sensitivity to certain ingredients found in whey protein.
Even though collagen protein may not contain all the essential amino acids, it is still:
- Easier to digest.
- Effective at building muscle
- Not as chemically processed.
Whether you choose to supplement with whey protein, collagen protein, or both, it is important to consider your digestive health.
We will discuss in greater detail the differences between collagen protein and whey protein in a later article.
Kino Collagen Protein
If you are looking for a great quality collagen supplement, Kino Collagen Protein is highly recommended. You can purchase kino collagen Protein from kinobody.com.
Kino collagen does a great job at:
- Supporting Muscle Protein Synthesis
- Promoting Satiety on a Lower-Calorie Diet
- Promoting Healthy Skin
- Promoting Healthy Nails
- Strengthening the Joints
A serving of kino collagen is only 80 calories and gives you 18 grams of protein.
What exactly is in Kino Collagen Protein?
Kino collagen protein contains all natural ingredients. It’s 3 main ingredients are:
- Pasture Raised Collagen – This promotes heart health, improves muscle mass, improves training recovery, and may increase metabolism.
- MCT Powder – This ingredient can help promote heart health, increase energy, control blood sugar levels, and promote fat loss.
- Bovine Gelatin Hydrolysate – This ingredient acts as an antagonist to low collagen levels in the body, it may decrease visible signs of aging, and improve overall skin health.
How to Use Kino Collagen Protein
kino collagen protein can be a very versatile recipe ingredient.
You can use it in:
- Hot water
- Tea
- Coffee
- Yogurt Bowls
- Healthy Pancake Recipes
The great thing about using kino collagen in a healthy pancake recipe is that it can be used as a substitute for bleached-processed white flour.
Click here to purchase kino collagen Protein. Use Discount Code: DEVONE69602 and receive 10% off your purchase.
Conclusion
Collagen has many benefits that go behind building muscle, retaining muscle, or losing fat. It is great for your joints, hair, skin, nails, and heart. There is nothing wrong with taking whey protein as a supplement, but if you want more of a healthy bang for your buck, collagen supplementation is the way to go.
If you want to learn more about different forms of supplementation, check out this article 5 Best Natural Supplements for Fat Loss and Muscle Gain.
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