Collagen peptides may have more in store for your body than making your skin look good.
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Collagen Peptides: What They Are and What They Can Do for You
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are small chains of amino acids that make up proteins. They are a popular component in many supplements, creams, and treatment therapy these days thanks to their small size and adaptable nature.
What Are Collagen Peptides?
Collagen peptides are simply collagen that has undergone hydrolysis.
Hydrolysis Definition: The process of breaking down amino acids into smaller molecules to make them easier for the body to absorb
Collagen peptides, otherwise known as collagen protein powder, are hydrolyzed collagen proteins that contain several benefits for joint, bone, and skin health.
What Are the Types of Collagen?
There are three main types of collagen:
- Type I – Makes up the skin, tendons, organs, blood vessel walls, cartilage, and connective tissue. It is the most common type of collagen, comprising up to 90% of the body.
- Type II – Present in elastic collagen and joints
- Type III – Abundant in the muscles and intestines
What Are the Benefits of Collagen Peptides?
1. Healthy Skin
Your body makes less and less collagen once you hit your 30’s. This results in duller, less elastic skin vulnerable to sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Taking collagen supplements helps support the body’s collagen production levels and keeps skin plump. Studies even say this can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
2. Helps Strengthen Joints and Bones
Collagen peptides help in keeping bones and joints strong and resilient. According to research, hydrolyzed collagen powder helps in reducing joint pain after bouts of exercise and boosting joint density to make it more flexible.
What’s in Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder?
The premise of collagen protein powder is similar to whey protein powder: taking it after workouts helps with muscle repair, recovery, and improvement of performance over the long term.
Collagen supplements are usually made from chicken cartilage, beef bones, animal skin, and the scales of fish. If they take the form of hydrolyzed powder, it only means the collagen has been broken down further for optimal absorption into the body.
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How to Get More Collagen in My Diet
Eating more collagen-rich foods is a great way to sneak more collagen into your diet. These types of foods include:
- Eggs
- Bone broth
- Salmon
- Pork
- Chicken skin
- Tendon
- Tripe
- Oxtail
Eating foods high in vitamin C can also help boost and support your body’s collagen production. This is because vitamin C plays a big role in collagen synthesis.
Of course, collagen protein powder is an easy and foolproof way to add more collagen into your diet. Add it to your smoothies, coffees, soups, or morning oatmeal.
Collagen peptides have been touted beneficial for the body by multiple research. While that is the case, recovery and gains are possible only when you ensure your body is getting enough nutrition.
If you need more assistance on medically prescribed peptides, feel free to reach out to LIV Health.
How do you increase your body’s collagen? Do you take supplements or eat collagen-rich foods? Share your preference with us in the comments section below!
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