Collagen plays a massive role in the human body, well - in any body, actually. It’s prominent in animals and even fish, so it’s no wonder collagen creams, powders and gels are lining the shelves. But do you need a collagen supplement? And if you do, what are the benefits?
Stay tuned for a crash course on what collagen does in the body and why you need it. You’ll find out the benefits of taking a collagen supplement and the best one to choose (spoiler alert: it’s ours!).
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein your body synthesises and transports to cells to make them stretchy, strong, and elasticated. You produce collagen in the fibroblasts, and the protein is then taken to the cells that are responsible for building muscle, tendons, and tissue.
Why do you need a collagen supplement?
After around the age of 25, your collagen synthesis begins to slow. Partly because you’re no longer developing but also because your body can’t absorb nutrients as well as it used to. This is a problem because you need nutrients like amino acids and vitamin C to create collagen. So, when your body struggles to get enough nutrients, it also struggles to produce collagen.
Read more: How To Boost Your Amino Acids For Collagen.
It can be helpful to take a collagen supplement to replenish the protein. A supplement gives you the additional collagen you’re no longer naturally synthesising, so your cells still receive the strength and elasticity they need.
The benefits of taking collagen supplements
You’ve got the 101 on collagen and know it keeps cells firm. But that doesn’t explain the benefits that a collagen supplement can give you. So, what are they?
Minimises fine lines and wrinkles
Everyone knows that you start to get fine lines and wrinkles as you get older. It’s natural! However, one of the significant reasons it happens is because of collagen loss.
When you’re young, your skin is taut, strong, and elastic, like a trampoline. It’s structurally sound, and even when you move on the metaphorical trampoline, it always returns to its original shape. However, this begins to shift when you lose the vital component - collagen.
The tissue and skin cells in your face don’t have the structure to stay bouncy and firm. When your skin moves around (which it needs to in order to show facial expressions), the cells struggle to ‘snap back’ to their original shape. The skin then gently sinks into natural facial creases, like smile lines. As collagen levels decline further, the lines deepen until they become wrinkles.
When you replenish collagen with a supplement, it restores the skin cell’s strength and flexibility. Your tissue has what it needs to spring back, which softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Still need convincing? After only 4 weeks of taking an Arella Collagen Supplement daily, 80% of participants observed a 13% reduction in wrinkles. Will adding extra collagen make skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom? Unfortunately, not, but it can minimise the look of facial creases and smooth out your complexion, which is a win for us.
Nurtures your gut health
Digestive health is crucial for looking and feeling good because when your stomach isn’t happy, none of you is happy! An unhappy gut can lead to bloating, cramping, diarrhoea, and constipation, at the very least. But, it can progress to lethargy, mood swings, and trouble sleeping and may even lead to chronic conditions such as IBS or leaky gut syndrome.
Collagen supports your gut in two ways. Firstly, collagen is an anti-inflammatory, so it calms down swelling in the cells that may be causing discomfort and pain. Secondly, you have a gut lining which keeps stomach acid, undigested food and toxins from getting into your bloodstream.
The gut barrier must be strong and stretchy, which is why it contains collagen. Nurturing your stomach with additional collagen helps the cells create a strong barrier wall, reducing stomach problems and improving overall gut health.
Read more: The Beautiful Benefits of Collagen for Gut Health.
Keeps bones and joints in good shape
Knee playing up again? What about your wrists? Now you have sore knuckles? If it’s not from an injury, the achiness you’re feeling could be from arthritis or generally worn-down joints.
Arthritis is chronic inflammation in the joints and can be very painful. If you read our above section on collagen and gut health, you’ll remember that collagen is anti-inflammatory, which is excellent news if you have arthritis. Consistently taking a collagen supplement can potentially reduce swollen cells and minimise some of the pain. A bit like putting an ice pack on an injury. But what if you don’t have arthritis?
General aches and grumbles may be caused by worn, thinning tendons and muscles in your joints, which lack strength and elasticity. A collagen supplement supports muscle growth and repair to reduce niggling aches. It also gives your joints the mobility to stretch out and return to their former shape without pain. Pair a collagen supplement with a bit of yoga, and you’re taking great care of your joints.
Read more: This Is The Way To Treat Joint Pain Quickly.
Increases your blood flow and heart health
Your blood carries oxygen, vitamins, minerals, and hormone signals around your body through arteries and capillaries. These blood vessels are tube or tunnel-shaped and need to remain strong and open 24/7.
When collagen dips, the blood vessel walls become weak, slowly collapsing inwards and hardening, making the ‘tunnels’ narrower. Blood flow slows down—imagine a backlog of traffic if a road went from a double lane to a single lane. Your heart has to work overtime to push the blood through which puts a lot of stress on the essential organ.
Replacing collagen strengthens and flexes capillary and artery walls so they remain open. This keeps blood flow or ‘traffic’ moving smoothly, reducing pressure on the heart.
Replenish your collagen with Arella Beauty
Arella’s Collagen Supplement is vegan, so it cares for the planet and is liquid for fast absorption. It can increase collagen production by an impressive 134% and doubles collagen in the fibroblasts after just 2 days.* We’ve also packed the supplement with extra nourishing ingredients like retinol, B vitamins and ginseng to support a healthy body. Start today with Arella Beauty.
*According to independent studies.
Read next:
- How Do Collagen Supplements Work?
- What to look for in collagen supplements
- Our Vegan Liquid Sachets: The Best Collagen Supplement For Sagging Skin
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Written by Emma Carey for Arella Beauty.
Emma is a holistic beauty and wellness writer. She has three years of experience in the well-being industry and a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Wellness. Check out her portfolio and follow her on Instagram.
