We all know a healthy body is important for maintaining a happy life. When it comes to your body, and your skin in particular, you need to be sure it has all the nutrients and vitamins it needs to stay well.
One important component is collagen. Without it, you risk losing the hydration and support your skin needs and you’re prone to broken bones, along with many other problems. Unfortunately, as we age, we begin to lose our natural store of collagen. As such, many people turn to collagen supplements to maintain the necessary amounts.
What’s the Purpose of Collagen Supplements?
Collagen is an important protein that’s housed in the muscles, bones, skin, tendons, hair, and the digestive system of your body. Collagen works to improve and fortify blood circulation throughout your body, keeps you healthy by healing damaged tissues, and reduces pain in your muscles, skin, and joints.
It also works hard to strengthen your bones giving you less of a chance of breaking them.
Without collagen, your skin will begin to wrinkle, sag, and blemish. It will be hard to keep your hair looking healthy and your nails strong. That ugly cellulite that you wish would disappear is also due to the lack of collagen.
Supplements offer a cheaper, less invasive means of delivering collagen to your body than injections, which can cause some serious side effects.
So, you can see why it’s so important to feed your body the protein that it needs.
What You Should Know Before Using Collagen Supplements
Before venturing out to the store to buy your supplements you should know what to look for. First, you should know that you can purchase supplements in the form of powders, tablets, capsules, infusions, and fruit chews.
If you want to work on improving your bone and nail strength while replenishing your hair and skin, then you will want to look for Collagen Types 1 & 3. If it’s your joints and cartilage that needs the extra support, then go for Collagen Type 2.
You will also want to pay attention to the instructions and know that Types 1 & 3 should be taken with juice or a vitamin C supplement, and should not be taken at the same time with Type 2 Collagen supplements.
Type 2 should be taken at bedtime on an empty stomach and should not be taken at the same time as Types 1 & 3 Collagen supplements.
As with prescription medications, supplements can also cause side effects that you should be aware of. Collagen supplements are known to cause allergies such as hives, bumps, skin ulcers, and nausea. Also, don’t be surprised if you have a bad taste in your mouth or you develop hypercalcemia. You might also notice negative results causing uneven skin or induced skin necrosis.
There are benefits to collagen supplements, but you should know the facts before taking them. Do some research, but more importantly, consult with your doctor before beginning a supplement regimen.
