Health Benefits of Collagen, that Help You Lose Weight?

By Allegra Gallian—

There’s a good chance you’ve heard about collagen as of late, since it’s gained a lot of popularity as a superfood. But what exactly is collagen, are there health benefits of Collagen and what are the benefits or risks of taking it over other treatment options?

What is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It’s a protein made of amino acids that connect cells and tissues together to help give structure to our nails, bones, skin, hair, tendons and ligaments. It also helps improve your gut health. Collagen supplements come from cows or fish.

While collagen is a type of protein, it’s different than the typical whey and casein protein powders you see because of the high amount of amino acids. The combination of these amino acids are partially responsible for joint health, muscular growth and strength, and healthy looking skin, hair and nails.

Collagen and Aging

As we get older, we don’t produce as much collagen. You may have noticed that as you’ve aged, your hair isn’t as vibrant, your skin is less elastic and your joints and muscles aren’t as flexible. That’s why including collagen in your healthy diet is highly beneficial to all areas of your body, whether you’re looking to improve your muscle and joint health, you want to look more youthful, you want to feel better, or all of the above.

Health Benefits of Collagen

1. Helps Heal Leaky Gut: If you suffer from stomach/digestive issues like leaky gut syndrome, collagen can help heal this condition as the amino acids are infused into the damaged cells. It also improves the connective tissue to seal the lining of your digestive tract from bad toxins that pass through.
2. Reduces Joint Pain: Do your arms or legs feel more stiff than they used to? That’s, in part, due to decreased collagen production. Increased collagen provides a smoother surface to help your joints move easier and with less pain, which is especially helpful if you suffer from any form of arthritis.
3. Increases Metabolism and Muscles: While your joint pain is decreased, your metabolism gets an increase when you take a collagen supplement because it helps you build lean muscle. Glycine is an amino acid found in collagen that converts glucose into energy to feed your muscles, helping them get stronger and replace fat, which boosts your metabolism. You’ll find you have more energy and that you’re both looking and feeling more youthful.
4. Improves Skin, Hair and Nails: Collagen improves skin elasticity for a smoother, firmer look, and it helps to reduce cellulite and stretch marks as well. Additionally, collagen works to strengthen your hair, nails, and even teeth. There are lots of products available, LivingBetter50.com founder Carol Doyel recommends one she tried called AETHERN®. Its special formula contains 14 ingredients that combines collagen and Hylaronic Acid with the most effective antioxidants, Astaxanthin, Beta Carotene, Zinc, Sellenium, Magnesium, Vitamin E, Lutein, Silicon, and Mediterranean Polyphenols.
5. Protects Your Heart: Cardiovascular health becomes more important as you age. The amino acid proline is necessary for repairing tissues in your arteries, where it protects artery walls by releasing fat buildup, and it helps control blood pressure. Taking a collagen supplement can help reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis and keep your arteries clear of buildup and blockages.

How to Use Collagen

Collagen is most typically found in a powder, just like any protein powder. There are flavored collagen powders, but there are also flavorless ones, like collagen peptides, which can be added to any hot or cold liquid. Many people enjoy adding collagen powder to smoothies, coffee, tea or even water. You could also add it to breakfasts like oatmeal and yogurt. If you don’t want the powdered form, you can also get collagen supplements in pill and liquid form, like AETHERN® that comes in individual drinkable doses.

Fun fact: Cate Blanchett has said that the Aethern advanced skin beauty program is one of her secrets to bright skin.

Another option is to sip or cook with bone broth. Bone broth is either chicken or vegetable stock that’s been cooked for an extra-long time to allow the collagen in the bones to release. You can make homemade bone broth or buy it ready made. Bone broth can be sipped like tea, used as the base for soups or replace traditional stock in recipes.

Bon appetite…for healthier joints, skin, hair and nails!