4 Anti-Aging Effects of Collagen

Would you believe there’s a part of your body that’s stronger than steel? That’s right, we’re talking about collagen. Keep on reading to learn how collagen can help you maintain a more youthful look and feel by supporting your skin, your hair and nails, your muscles, and your joints.

What is collagen? 

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and it helps provide structure and support to so many areas and functions. It makes up about one-third of all proteins in the body and you’ll find it in bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, blood vessels, corneas, and more.

There are over 25 different types of collagen, but about 90% of the collagen found in our bodies is classed as type 1. Type 1 collagen fibrils are gram-for-gram stronger than steel and you can find these densely packed fibers in your skin, fibrous cartilage, teeth, and other connective tissues.

What’s the connection between collagen and youthfulness?

We don't often think about the strength of collagen but rather its fountain-of-youth connection to wrinkle-free skin and pain-free joints.

Collagen does play a key role in preventing joint pain and keeping skin looking plump and youthful, which has led to a ‘collagen craze’ over the past few years. From skincare to shampoos, collagen supplements are big on the beauty scene. But is it worth the hype — and more importantly your money — to add collagen supplements to your wellness routine?

Why you might want to consider collagen if you’re over the age of 30

Our bodies make collagen naturally by using Vitamin C, zinc, and copper — just one more reason why a varied, balanced diet is so important. A diet rich in high-quality protein from foods like dairy, legumes, tofu, meat, poultry, and seafood, should give your body the nourishment it needs to produce this vital protein. But…

You knew there would be a but, right? Between 18 to 29 years old, our bodies begin to make less and less collagen — even when we’re getting the right nutrients. By age 40 it could be around 1% per year. Women actually experience a dramatic decline in collagen production leading up to menopause, which can cause symptoms like dry skin, painful joints, and weaker muscles.

Collagen supplements often have hydrolyzed forms of collagen that have already been broken down into peptides and are more "bioavailable", meaning they are easier for our body to absorb and utilize, and might help mitigate the natural decline in collagen production.

4 ways collagen keeps you feeling young

Improving your skin health

Collagen makes up 70% of our dermis (the middle layer of the skin) and helps maintain elasticity, firmness, and hydration, which can help keep wrinkles and stretch marks at bay. As our bodies begin producing less collagen, dry skin and wrinkles are more likely to form and dead skin cells aren’t restored as quickly. 

Research studies have shown that supplements may help slow down how fast our skin ages by reducing dryness and wrinkles, possibly by stimulating our body's own production of collagen and other proteins that support the skin. A study of more than 1,000 adults taking collagen supplements for 12 weeks found increased levels of collagen in the skin and fewer signs of aging.

Cushioning your joints

Cartilage is critical to protecting and cushioning your joints, and collagen is critical to keeping cartilage healthy. When cartilage is weak, your risk of developing a joint disorder like osteoarthritis is more likely.

Some research shows collagen supplements may help reduce joint pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis. A study of 80 adults taking 2 grams of collagen a day for 70 days found their joint pain greatly reduced and were more able to exercise than those who didn’t take supplements. Researchers think collagen from supplements may build up in our cartilage and stimulate the production of more collagen, which may not only ease painful symptoms but also reduce inflammation and support joints.

Boosting your exercise performance

Collagen makes up about 1-10% of our muscle tissue and is essential in keeping our muscles strong and healthy as well as boosting overall performance in physical activity.

Muscle proteins help produce energy during workouts and researchers have suggested collagen supplements may promote the production of muscle protein, possibly encouraging muscle growth after workouts. Bone health also plays a big role in our ability to exercise, and studies have shown taking collagen supplements daily can help increase bone density and inhibit the breakdown of bone that leads to osteoporosis. One study found women taking calcium and collagen supplements together had lower levels of proteins that break down bone than women only taking calcium supplements. 

Keeping hair and nails healthy

Keratin is a primary protein in hair and nails, and some of the amino acids needed to build keratin are found in collagen. By consuming collagen and other proteins, your body is able to use the broken down amino acids to build up keratin and restore brittle hair and nails.

Research shows collagen may stimulate our hair and nail growth, and help keep them strong, as cells in the dermis (where the root of each hair follicle is located) aren’t rejuvenated as frequently when we get older -- possibly contributing to hair thinning and hair loss late in life.