Benefits of Ingesting Collagen Powder

      I get asked pretty often why I take collagen powder on a daily basis and what the benefits truly are. So I figured it was time I write a quick blog post about this! Let's start from the beginning. What is collagen? Collagen makes up about 30-40% of the protein in our body, and about 70% of the protein in our skin alone! We've all seen beauty products claiming to be good for your skin because they contain collagen. Our body produces collagen on it's own, although as we age, production steadily declines. This is what is partly to blame for sagging skin and added wrinkles we see as we age. 
 
     When we consume collagen powder, our body breaks down these proteins into useful amino acids that are helpful in collagen production throughout the body. Collagen helps heal our body from within. I love to use this collagen powder every day. It mixes easily in hot or cold liquids and is tasteless. Not to mention, it is a protein source in and of itself, so it helps keep you full! There are many benefits and we will touch on the major ones so you can get an understanding of why collagen powder is a great choice for your health. You can also buy in bulk (6 or more) and save... click here!
                   

       Collagen powder is rich in the amino acid glycine. This amino acid is super beneficial for helping build muscle mass and also preventing muscle loss. Glycine also supports metabolic function, can help increase your metabolism, and also aids the body in detoxification. Arginine is another powerful amino acid present in collagen powder. This boosts the body's ability to make protein from other amino acids, thus helping assist in repairing muscle tissue and also healing wounds. Some research even suggests that arginie may help increase blood flow in the arteries of the heart. 

               Collagen also supports joint health. Since collagen is the major component of connective tissue, it makes sense that ingesting collagen would benefit the longevity and health of our joints. Ingesting collagen may even help decrease some of the discomfort caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This is great news for those who may have sore joints yet desire to continue exercising into their later years. ​

               Healthy skin - here's a big one. Collagen is responsible for strengthening, plumping, smoothing and giving elasticity to our skin.  This is why people like to buy face creams with collagen in them. But why not ingest it and get the benefits from the inside out? Some research argues that enzymes in the stomach break down collagen and prevent it from ever reaching the skin, but there is conflicting data on this. I personally find that ingesting collagen has had positive effects on my skin, and I am a fan. It can even  help diminish cellulite and stretch marks. This is why collagen is one of the best natural skin care products you can invest in! 

           Collagen has also been said to help heal "leaky gut" - this is when toxins and large protein molecules are able to pass through the lining of the digestive tract causing unpleasant symptoms in some people. This can cause inflammatory reactions to occur. Collagen can help soothe the gut lining and heal the damaged cell walls from within, thus preventing further damage. 

                  Some research claims that ingesting collagen can help thicken hair, give you better nails, boost immune system, help balance blood sugar, regulate sleep, assist in wound healing and even help decrease inflammation. That sounds like a whole lot of positives! What are the drawbacks? Not really much that I can see! A small amount of people do complain of some GI upset when taking collagen powder, but not many. To me, it is an easy way to get some great benefits from an all natural source. I put 2 Tablespoons in my coffee each morning, and some days add another dose to a smoothie later in the day. It is said that vitamin C works well together in the absorption and use of collagen in the body, so for best results you may want to ingest collagen with some form of vitamin C.