The collagen craze is hard to ignore, and the craze continues to sweep across the country. That explains why consumers wonder if the promoted benefits really live up to the hype or not. While you may be planning to up your collagen intake, know these facts about it.
Health Shots contacted Dr. Kashish Kalra, Head of Department of Dermatology at Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi for some facts about collagen supplements.
What is collagen?
Collagen as a protein is found in abundance in our bodies. It is the main component that makes up our bone, muscle and ligament structure.
Collagen is of various types, but these are the three most common ones that you should be aware of.
Type 1 – This type makes up most of the collagen in our body. It is made of fibers that are densely packed and are necessary for teeth, bones, ligaments, skin, and connective tissue.
Type 2 – This type is present in our elastic cartilage that provides support to the joints.
type 3; This type is present in the structure of arteries, organs and muscles.
As we age and grow, our bodies begin to produce less collagen, which can lead to skin aging and wrinkles. Some lifestyle factors, such as smoking or excessive sun exposure, can also damage collagen production in our body.
as long as there is benefits of collagen supplementswe must also be fully aware of the other side of the story.
Facts About Collagen Supplements
In an age where people easily consume supplements, there is a lot of buzz around collagen supplements. It sounds very fascinating to take a pill and wipe a few years off your skin. But it’s true? Let’s find out through the answers to some frequently asked questions from Dr. Kalra.
1. Are all collagen supplements the same?
Few studies claim that marine collagen is better than bovine collagen. But in reality, what matters most is the form of the collagen, that is, if it is in a hydrolyzed form or not. A collagen molecule is a large molecule and must be broken down into amino acids to be absorbed, so the hydrolyzed form is best no matter what the source.
2. Collagen can reverse the signs of aging
Much has been said for and against this, but few randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have concluded that taking collagen improves skin elasticity. However, there were no effects on wrinkles and aging.
3. Are collagen supplements regulated?
One of the biggest concerns is that collagen supplements are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and manufacturers do not have to prove that they are safe or effective before putting them on shelves or marketing them.
Also read: If You’re Losing Collagen, Turn To These 7 Foods To Get That Healthy Glow Back
4. Should we take collagen supplements or not?
Collagen supplementation is not harmful, but it may not be worth it. Our body can synthesize collagen from amino acids extracted from vegetable or animal proteins. The richest source is bone broth or any meat that contains connective tissue. An adequate protein diet is sufficient to maintain collagen in the skin and joints.
5. So what is the best way to produce collagen?
The best way to induce collagen production in your skin is to apply the right active ingredients instead of eating collagen powders and gummies. Procedures such as microneedling, ablative and non-ablative lasers, radiofrequency devices, and HIFU induce collagen much more efficiently than oral supplements.
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