Collagen is an essential component of your body. Collagen is found in your joints and allows you to bend, stretch and flex. As you age, your skin and mobility may be affected by decreased collagen production. Supplements such as collagen supplements can benefit your skin, hair and joints.
Collagen supplements are gaining popularity due to their many health benefits. Collagen supplements can reduce aging, improve hair texture, promote joint and bone health, and help with hair loss.
But are they that effective? What is the time frame for seeing results? This article will answer these questions and explain collagen supplements side effects and benefits.
Why should you take collagen?
The body’s fibroblast cells produce collagen. This production decreases as we age, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Collagen supplements are highly recommended for this reason. These supplements will help you keep your skin healthy and beautiful for a long period. They are then broken down into easily digestible collagen.
Collagen supplements are often found in powdered form. They are also known as collagen hydrolysate (hydrolyzed collagen), collagen peptides (collagen peptides), or gelatin.
Collagen has many benefits. These benefits are listed in the next section.
Collagen has health benefits.
Could Reduce the Signs of Premature Aging
As we age, our skin’s collagen density decreases. This can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and decreased skin elasticity. Collagen products could help with this. Studies have shown that collagen products may benefit wound healing, skin elasticity, and skin hydration.
It may help maintain joint flexibility.
With the aging process and reduced collagen, joints may lose their elasticity. This can cause rigidity and pain in the joints, which makes it difficult to move and may lead to joint inflammation. Oral collagen supplements can help alleviate these symptoms and improve all joints’ mobility and flexibility. A study at Penn State University found that collagen hydrolysate supplements can help with joint pain in osteoarthritis patients.
May Heal a Leaky Gut
People with inflammatory bowel diseases were found to have lower levels of type IV collagen. Leaky gut might be treated with oral collagen supplements. More information is needed in this area.
It may increase muscle strength.
Taking collagen supplements daily, combined with resistance training, has increased muscle strength in the older generation. It may also help heal wounds and repair damaged tissue.
May strengthen your hair.
Collagen is found in different tissues, including your hair. Collagen supplements are believed to increase hair strength. This is a topic that requires more research.
How long does collagen take to act?
Below are the times that collagen takes to provide a particular benefit.
- Improved skin appearance and health: 1-to-3 months
- Increased strength and muscle mass: 3 months
- In a matter of days, you will notice a reduction in soreness from physical training.
- Improved joint health in 4 to 6 months
- Three to six months for better tendon support, combined with strength exercises
- Better bone density: 12 months
- Stronger nails: 6 months
It varies in how long collagen takes to work on certain tissues within the body.
It can take collagen up to 12 weeks for its effects on the skin to manifest, while it may take anywhere from twelve weeks to six years to see any effect on the joints.