Top 7 Health Benefits of Collagen & How to Get More of It By Dr. Leah Linder

December 1, 2017

Collagen has been found in beauty products throughout the ages, known for its beneficial

effects on hair, skin and nails, but now its making it's way into all sorts of health food

products from energy bars, to teas and coffee. Why?

Collagen is comprised of amino acids, or protein building blocks, that are critical components of

healing the microscopic damage done to tissues in our bodies over time.

Think of collagen as the “glue” that holds your bodies together. There are many different

types of collagen (16 to be exact), but the majority of collagen, up to 90%, is “Type 1”.

Starting at about age 35, collagen production naturally begins to slow, which can have all sorts of negative effects on your body. By age 40, collagen begins to

deplete faster than your body can reproduce it, and by age 60, over ½ of your body’s

collagen has been depleted. That’s why I recommend adding in daily collagen supplement

for optimal health and functioning. So in addition to the external benefits of collagen, what

else can it do for you? You might be surprised.

 

 

1. Helps Repair a Leaky Gut

One of the main reasons I use collagen supplementation in my clinic is to help repair a leaky

gut. When we are exposed to foods that our digestive enzymes can’t break down (i.e., food

sensitivities/allergies), our immune system is forced to respond. It does so by spraying a

bleach-like substance in the food particles direction to break it into smaller pieces.

Unfortunately, our immune system is not as precise as our digestive enzymes, and gut

tissue in the surrounding area is also damaged. Do this a number of times without the right

repair tools (lookin’ at you collagen), and what results are gaps throughout the GI track

where metabolic waste products, and food particles can pass through your intestinal wall;

 

 

this is known commonly as leaky-gut. The amino acids, particularly glycine and proline, in

collagen quite literally, “seal the leak” or perforations by healing damaged cells and building

new tissue.

2. Strengthens and Repairs Hair, Skin and Nails

Hair loss and skin issues can be symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, as well as the normal

aging process. As you age, you may have noticed that your skin has become looser and

less elastic – and there may be wrinkles or creases where your skin was once more smooth

and supple. You might also experience brittle nails, peeling, splitting or breakage. Your hair

may also begin to thin and become dry and brittle.

This is because collagen protein is essential to healthy hair, skin and nails, and as I

mentioned, your natural production of it decreases as you age. Increasing collagen intake

can go a long way to make your skin appear more firm and smooth by renewing and

repairing cells. Recent studies have also shown that supplemental collagen can actually

reverse hair loss in some cases.

Adding collagen to your diet can also help reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch

marks. When skin loses its elasticity and becomes thin, cellulite becomes more obvious.

Collagen can help to increase moisture retention, improve elasticity, and helps smooth out

that dimpled appearance, as well as those fine lines.

3. It’s Anti-inflammatory to Prevent Joint Pain

Much like oil in a car, collagen allows your joints, tendons and ligaments to glide and move

easily. With age, and as your collagen production depletes, your joints can become stiff,

swollen and painful, even causing a lack of mobility. Collagen contains the amino acids

glycine and proline, which can aid in reducing joint pain and help to increase joint mobility

because of their anti-inflammatory properties, similar to those of ibuprofen. A recent study

found that taking collagen can be beneficial for pain associated with osteoarthritis.

4. Supports Weight Management

 

 

Collagen can even help you control your weight. Glycine, the amino acid I mentioned earlier,

forms muscle by converting glucose into energy. Having more lean muscle tissue gives your

metabolism a boost, because muscle burns more calories than fat. Essentially, collagen

helps to turn your body into a fat-burning machine, even when you’re at rest. There is some

evidence to also suggest that supplemental collagen can help suppress your appetite. One

study cited a 20% reduction of food intake following breakfast when collagen proteins were

ingested. The same study showed collagen proteins to be 40% more satiating than other

protein powder supplements.

5. Helps Protect Your Heart

Proline, which is found in collagen, may help to obliterate fat deposits in the arteries and

repair tissue within artery. Collagen has also been shown to help control blood pressure.

Because of this, collagen has been linked to the preventing arteriosclerosis (hardening of

the arteries).

6. Supports Bone Formation, Growth and Repair

Calcium is not the only component for healthy bones. Your bones are ⅓ collagen, which

gives them their flexibility. Your bone cells are constantly turning over, and adding collagen

protein to your daily diet may make bones stronger by increasing bone mineral density.

Several studies have shown that osteoporosis can be prevented and even reversed by

supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen because of its ability to stimulate bone-creating

cells (osteoblasts).

7. Improves Detoxification and Liver Function

The daily toxins we are exposed must be processed by your liver in order to be moved out

of your body. Glycine, which is found in collagen, can help with detoxification and reduce

the damage to your liver from these toxins. Studies have even found that glycine can be

used to help reduce alcohol-induced liver damage. As if all this weren’t enough, glycine can

be very calming and even improve the quality of sleep. It’s one of the reasons I love to drink

collagen powder in my hot tea before bedtime.

 

 

How to Add Collagen into Your Diet Collagen-rich foods such as spinach, kale, tomatoes, beets, fish, and bone broth, are some

of my favorites. I love grass-fed hydrolyzed collagen powder, which I stir into my coffee, tea

or smoothie each morning. It is a great source of protein with 10-12 grams per serving, has

no taste or smell, and can added to just about anything. At minimum, to help repair a leaky

gut you can take 1-2 rounded tablespoons per d=]\

The many beneficial effects of collagen go far beyond ‘skin-deep’ and with ready-to-use

powder, you can easily make it a part of your daily health regimen.