Does Collagen Supplementation Live Up to the Hype?

Collagen is a very trendy supplement on the market right now. I’ve seen it in powders (my favorite), tablets, capsules, and even as an ingredient in energy bars and gummi bears!

What is collagen and why is it so popular?

Collagen is a protein that is essentially a framework for our tissues and we break collagen down faster as we age. Less collagen means we get wrinkles and our injuries take longer to heal. Without plentiful collagen, we have less scaffolding to support new, healthy tissue growth and repair. The amino acids that create collagen come from animal products are hard to come by for vegetarians or vegans, so these dietary restrictions often make for even slower tissue repair.

Collagen as a supplement has gained popularity because people want younger-looking skin and a younger-feeling body. A supplement that contains collagen peptides is going to be more easily used to create collagen in the body.

How does collagen work?

When you take a collagen peptide (or hydrolyzed collagen) supplement, your digestive system breaks that collagen down into amino acids. After the broken down collagen is absorbed into your bloodstream, your body can use it to repair skin, joints, tendons, etc.

It’s important to note that collagen can be effective when taken as a supplement but will work even better if the people taking it are exercising and have other collagen supportive nutrients on board. There is no magic pill or powder that’s going to fix every issue that inevitably comes along with aging.  What’s really needed to offset the effects of ageing is an excellent diet, exercise, a targeted nutrient and supplement regimen, and an excellent naturopathic physician who can help you navigate your personal health challenges.