The Benefits of Hydrolyzed Collagen
We all want to look and feel better, especially as we grow older, overcome injuries, and put our bodies through tough workouts. That’s why it’s vital that we eat well, exercise, and replace the nutrients we lose through age or good old wear and tear on our bodies.
One of the things we lose as we age is collagen.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein produced by our bodies and found mainly in our bones, in cartilage, in our skin, in tendons, and even in our teeth. It plays a vital role in the well-being and health of our cells, blood vessels, tissues, and more.
Almost 30 types of collagen have been identified, but types I-V are the most common. Type I gives strength to our skin, our bones, our tendons, and our ligaments. Type II is found in cartilage and helps make it more flexible. Type III is usually found in muscles, in skin, in blood vessels, and in internal organs. Type IV is in some of the skin’s layers. And type V is in the corneas of our eyes, in our hair, and in some layers of the skin.
As we age, we begin losing collagen. In fact, according to Verywell Health, “Collagen loss starts between the ages of 18 and 29—and after age 40, the body can lose around 1% of its collagen per year; at around age 80, collagen production can decrease by 75% overall in comparison to that of young adults.”
That’s a significant loss—and it’s why many people take a collagen supplement. When looking for a collagen supplement, be aware that hydrolyzed collagen is the best form.
Hydrolyzed collagen is a collagen that’s broken down into smaller particles that are easier to process and thus more easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore, you get the maximum benefit from this collagen.
How is hydrolyzed collagen beneficial?
Hydrolyzed collagen—also referred to as collagen peptides—can help with numerous health problems. Studies have shown that it can help reduce wrinkles, improve bone health, and even help alleviate joint pain.
Why does it help with these things? Because collagen contains amino acids (mainly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline), which are the building blocks of protein. In fact, an article published by the National Library of Medicine calls collagen the “most important protein produced by the human body.” Since it’s that important, we must make sure we replace what we’re losing.
Research has found that collagen makes up approximately 70% of our skin. When we lose the collagen in our skin, it becomes drier, it loses elasticity, and we see an increase in wrinkles. Recent studies have shown that hydrolyzed collagen can help slow down these signs of aging and even help improve the look of skin.
Hydrolyzed collagen is also beneficial for bone and joint health. Dozens of studies have shown that it is effective in reducing the damage to joints, in helping osteoarthritis, and even in improving osteoporosis—or the loss of bone density. In fact, “A 2018 study in postmenopausal women found that treatment with 5 grams of collagen peptides per day for a year increased bone mineral density and improved markers indicating increased bone formation and reduced bone degradation.”
That’s great news for women, as a fall and broken bones can be devastating.
Verywell Health also reported that in a study of 250 subjects “with osteoarthritis of the knee, participants were given 10 grams of HC daily for six months. After the study, there was a significant improvement in knee joint comfort.”
And that is great news for those suffering from joint pain.
For all those dealing with the effects of diminished collagen, there is hope.
Collagen’s origins
In order for our bodies to produce collagen, we need proline, which can be found in foods like dairy, mushrooms, and egg whites. We also need vitamin C, which can be found in bell peppers and citrus fruits. We need zinc, which can be found in foods like various meats, shellfish, lentils and beans, and dairy products. We need copper, which can be found in cashews, sesame seeds, and lentils. And we need glycine, which can be found in the skin of meat like pork and chicken.
Having a balanced and healthy diet is vital for our bodily systems to work properly. But food doesn’t always get us to the levels we need. And, let’s face it, sometimes we just don’t make a habit of eating enough healthy foods.
That’s why supplements can be a huge help to our daily diets. The collagen that is found in supplements usually comes from animal sources, but it can also come from marine life, shellfish, or even algae. This is one of the reasons why you should read labels, especially if you have food allergies or other health concerns. You don’t want to accidentally ingest something made from shellfish if you have a shellfish allergy. And, of course, anytime you begin a new supplement, you should check with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.
Because we know that we can’t get all the collagen we need from food sources, Performance Inspired has created two amazing supplements.
PI’s collagen supplements
PI’s collagen supplements come in two different forms, so you can choose which fits your life and routine the best.
Our Collagen Peptides contains types I and III collagen to help support healthy joints, hair, skin, nails, and digestion. It comes in an unflavored powder formula that you can mix in a beverage or sprinkle on food. It’s that easy!
Our Beauty Support Collagen is a capsule that contains 5,000mcg of biotin, silica, 200x aloe vera concentrate, hydrolyzed collagen peptides (types I and III), 250mg of MSM, 3mg of hyaluronic acid, and the perfect mix of vitamins.
Both help replace the collagen that we naturally lose, and either would be a great addition to your daily health regimen, especially if you’re experiencing joint or bone pain or finding that your skin has become drier and has begun to lose elasticity.
So take a look at your skin, reflect on your bone and joint health, and make a promise to yourself that you will help repair your body. You will literally feel the difference!
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