By Adam
Perhaps one of the most enlightening aspects of modern medicine is how a return to ancestral practices is giving many of us new leases on life.
For instance, the revival in consumption of fermented foods and the reintroduction of probiotics into our guts is helping restore many people to full health.
Along with probiotic use, the re-introduction of collagen-dense foods is helping people restore their health: Here are 4 reasons that supplementing with collagen may help you to feel 100x better.
How Collagen Can Heal and Restore a Broken Body
Collagen supplementation has come a long way in the past several years.
Back in the early 2000’s collagen was used primarily by plastic surgeons to help improve the appearance of skin.
Recently, oral collagen supplements have become quite popular, and with that many people have demonstrated that they have remarkable healing power.
1 – Collagen Helps Improve Digestive Function:
Collagen is a rich matrix of proteins that help to form the lining of the gut. Many people’s guts are damaged because of exposure to toxins as well as exposure to harmful food ingredients.
When a person takes collagen the introduction of these proteins can help to reform the surface of the gut, which prevents food particles from leaking into the bloodstream (a condition known as leaky gut.)
Thousands of people have reported great success with collagen supplements in helping to restore their gut function.
2 – Collagen Can Help with Heart Health:
When a person consumes collagen, the proteins begin to go to work immediately improving the structure and function of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
This improvement can help to boost cardiovascular function as well as protect the heart. Without enough collagen in the body, your arteries can grow weak and fragile which puts a strain on the heart.
Studies support collagen supplements for improved heart health.
In a study of 31 healthy adults taking collagen researchers observed that their arteries become much less stiff than at the beginning of the study. These improvements are associated with better heart health.
3 – May Help to Strengthen Bones:
While minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are essential for strong bones, so too are protein-matrixes like collagen.
In fact, our bones are made mostly of collagen, the minerals listed above simply form around the bone structure to add strength.
Multiple studies indicate that age-related bone deterioration can be halted or reversed by taking collagen.
For instance, in a study of women, it was determined that when women took a calcium supplement combined with 5 grams of collagen intake their bone strength was markedly better than women who took calcium only.
Studies like this have been repeated several times, and in almost every instance, increased collagen led to more bone strength.
4 – Collagen May Improve Muscle Mass
When collagen supplements were first released on the market, manufacturers were careful to say that even though collagen is a protein powder, it doesn’t necessarily help build muscle.
New research may help show that to be false.
As Brianna Elliott, RD writes:
“Studies suggest that collagen supplements help boost muscle mass in people with sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass that happens with age.
In one study, 27 frail men took 15 grams of collagen while participating in an exercise program daily for 12 weeks. Compared to men who exercised but did not take collagen, they gained significantly more muscle mass and strength.
Researchers have suggested that taking collagen may promote the synthesis of muscle proteins such as creatine and may also stimulate muscle growth after exercise.”
Collagen Does This and Much More
Increased Collagen intake has been associated with quite a few other improvements in health.
The most important thing about supplementing with collagen is getting a high-quality brand that only sources from the healthiest animals.
Consider getting grass-fed and always look for third-party certifications.
