Health Benefits and Side Effects of Collagen Supplement
It seems like everyone is talking about collagen supplement and its wonderful effect. Is it really that good? Does it have any side effects? Let’s find out together in this articles.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the main structural protein in connective tissues in our human body. This most abundant protein literally holds the body together. It can be found in vessels, skin, bones, tendons, muscles, hair, and nails, etc. Collagen provides structural support, strength, elasticity and protective coverings to many parts of the body.
The most 3 common types of collagen that is vital for our appearance and body structure are Type I, Type II, and Type 3. Among the three, Type I and Type III play an important role in supporting skin, muscles, bones, hair, and nails, etc. Type II is essential for the formation and operation of cartilages and joints. In short, they not only build our internal structure but also decide our physical attributes.
When we are young, our body can produce enough collagen for the whole body. As we age, the amount of collagen decrease and the production gets slow. That’s why we have wrinkles, sagging skin, joint pain, bad mobility of joint and cartilage, and our skin loses its firmness and elasticity. This is natural process that we can’t get rid of. However, we can slow it down by living healthily, eating nutritional food, and taking collagen supplements to make it up for the collagen loss.
What is collagen supplement?
Collagen supplement is collagen taken from other resource in the nature like cow, pig, chicken, fish, and plants. Collagen supplements can be in pill, powder, or liquid form that is given to the body by ingestion or injection.
Collagen supplements function is to replace the loss amount of natural collagen inside our body. It will help us fight with the sign of aging like skin and joint issues. Although it is not a magical substance that makes us forever young, it lengthens the youthfulness of the body, inside and outside.
The most common use of collagen supplements is as daily dietary supplement. It can also be injected to the body, especially for plastic surgery. As the production of collagen inside our body starts to decrease from the middle of our 20s, it is advised we supplement the collagen loss since the very young age the get the best result. Ideally, the supplements should start as early as 25 years of age or sooner.
Like any other supplement, collagen supplement has its own health benefits and side effects that we need to know before using it. Using it the right way can avoid possible risks and maximize the efficacy.
Health benefits of collagen supplements
Not long ago, we barely know about collagen supplements. Now, everybody is talking about it, even using it. it’s collagen supplements wonderful health benefits that promote it the popularity that quick.
Collagen supplements are said to be able to improve our appearance like skin, hair or nails, as well as our internal structure including bones, joints, and cartilage, etc.
Let’s get to the details below.
Anti-aging
Collagen supplements are getting more and more popular thanks to its reputation as the best anti-aging supplement. It is best known to help reduce wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines. With the complement of elastin and other nutrients, it maintains the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
In the beauty industry, collagen injection to the epidermis layer of skin to fight aging signs and lip augmentation are now popular.
Inflammatory diseases treatment
Studies have proven the role of collagen supplements in the treatment of some inflammatory diseases like arthritis and bone injuries. Collagen hydrolysate provide some degree of pain reduction joint function improving. Collagen supplements when absorbed will accumulate collagen in cartilage, and stimulate cells to create extracellular matrix which fills the space between cells of our tissues that cause pain and other diseases.
Wound healing and repair stimulation
Collagen supplements are not only effective in joint and bone problems but also with wound healing. Collagen triggers the formation of platelets and promote the growth of new tissues. Taking collagen supplements can speed up such processes.
Energy supplement in sports
Collagen supplements can act as energy supplements in sports. They also help maintain muscle mass and prevent excess fat storage. It is vital for sportspersons and athletes to be in shape and never gone out of energy.
Treatment for hair loss and brittle nails
As collagen is one of the key factors that decide the physical attributes of hair and nails, it can surely cure the hair loss and brittle nails which are caused by the weakening of hair and nail structure. Collagen supplements help strengthen the broken structures and make the hair thicker and more shinning, make the nails stronger.
Natural appetite suppressant
Collagen supplements can lessen the desire for snack because they make the body feel full for a longer time. Combining with its effect in decreasing fat, it can be very useful in promoting weight loss in a safe way.
Skin revitalization
Collagen supplements can promote the regeneration of the skin, and keep the moisture for the skin. It reduces skin dryness, and tightens, and pumps up your skin. Many women are using cream with collagen as external solution and oral collagen supplements as internal solution at the same time.
Collagen Supplements Side Effects
Is there any downside to this godly-sound-like substance? Yes. Like any other substance, collagen supplements have its side effects, especially when wrongly used. Check the below content and try to avoid any possible risks if your decide to take collagen supplements.
Appetite suppressant
As fore-mentioned, collagen supplements can cause a decrease of appetite which leads to eating less. For people with good appetite and want to lose weight, it is fine, even good. But for people with small appetite or eating disorders, this is a serious problem that can affect their health badly.
Allergic reaction
Some people are allergic to collagen supplements. Possible symptoms can be skin rashes, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, or skin ulcers, etc. depends on personal condition. When noticing any abnormal reaction after taking collagen supplements, stop using them and go to doctor immediately.
Infected by collagen injection
Potential threats of collagen injection include getting infected from unsterilized syringe, lasting bruises and skin pigmentation, or permanent scars from poorly treated bruises. Moreover, the effect of collagen infection is just temporary. When it is time, lopsided look can be one of the consequences.
Absorbability
Collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed by our body so it has to be broken into optimum size and weight. However, most collagen creams contain large collagen molecules that the skin can’t absorb. Using those is actually useless and money-wasting.
High level of calcium
Collagen supplements may increase the level of calcium inside the body, leading to possible nausea, vomiting, muscles aches and pain in the joints, fatigue or an irregular heartbeat, etc.
Awful taste of oral collagen supplements
Collagen supplements in tablets and pills form can leave a bad aftertaste in the mouth. The pill shell with continuous usage may form a coating on the tongue which alters the taste and leaves a bad breath.
Collagen powder are complained by many people to have a bad taste, even when blended with other flavors or mixed with various drinks.
Conclusion
Any nutrient and substance, even the one that is claimed to have heavenly effect, can be a disaster when wrongly use. So, it is important to understand our problems and needs to choose the best methods. When we want to use any drug or supplement, it is necessary to consult a specialist to make sure what we want to take is what we need and is good for us. The same advice applies to the use of collagen supplements. Go see a specialist to get advice and suitable dosage.
And as any other solution, it can’t do everything on its own. The best result is only resulted from comprehensive set of actions. If you want to get the most out of collagen supplements, avoid factor that boosting collagen loss such as sun exposure, alcohol, drugs, and pollution. You can also minimize your collagen loss by eating more food with antioxidants, vitamin, boned meat or bone stock.
I hope with above information and tips, you can avoid all the side effects and utilize the wonderful effects of collagen supplements to get a more youthful and healthier look and life.
