What Are the Top Benefits of Collagen?

Next time you walk down the beauty aisle of your local pharmacy and grocery store, pay attention to how many products contain collagen. More and more products are relying on this important protein. Some of the benefits of collagen include helping maintain luxurious hair, optimizing the smoothness and suppleness of your skin, and supporting strong, beautiful nails.

However, did you know these are just a few of the benefits of taking collagen? It’s true! The health benefits of collagen reach far beyond its beauty-boosting abilities. It also supports gut, heart, and joint health. Nowadays, you can find collagen beyond the beauty aisle. For example, it’s now in protein bars, tea, and even coffee. Collagen protein powder has become quite popular. 

Despite this warm welcome into our foods and beauty products, finding a clean source of collagen can be tough. With this in mind, I formulated my own collagen protein powder sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised beef.

We’ll get into my physician-formulated supplement later. Let’s start by looking at the health benefits of collagen and why I recommend taking it daily.

What Is Collagen?

Think of collagen as the “glue” that holds your body together. In fact, the word collagen comes from the Greek word ‘kolla’ – meaning ‘glue.’ It’s the fibrous protein found throughout your body. It’s in organs, muscles, skin, hair, nails, teeth, bones, blood vessels, tendons, joints, cartilage, and your digestive system — basically everywhere! 

There are many different types of collagen that do different things. In fact, there are 16 types. However, up to 90% of collagen is “Type 1”. Like a superhero, it’s even stronger than steel (gram for gram!) It’s in your skin, bones, organs, eyes, and digestive tract. (1)

Starting at about age 35, collagen production naturally begins to slow. Consequently, there can be all sorts of negative effects on your body. Then, by age 40, collagen depletes faster than your body can reproduce. Finally, by age 60, over ½ of your body’s collagen has been depleted. (2)

In addition to aging, many other factors impact collagen levels. These include:

• genetics 
• smoking 
• pollution
• excessive sun exposure
• nutritional deficiencies 

Luckily, adding a collagen supplement such as collagen protein powder to your daily regimen can help you continue to reap the benefits of collagen as you age.

Surprising Health Benefits of Collagen

Now you know about the external benefits of collagen — what else can it do for you? You might be surprised to learn the many amazing benefits of taking collagen.

1. Collagen Helps Repair Leaky Gut

Nearly 80% of your immune system is in your gut. When your gut becomes leaky, toxins, food particles, and infections tear through your intestinal wall. Next, they enter your bloodstream, causing inflammation. Over time, this chronic inflammation can lead to autoimmunity.

Thankfully, your intestinal wall has microscopic folds or “villi.” These are made of collagen. When I see a patient with a leaky gut, I use supplementation to increase the production of collagen-produced amino acids. These little compounds literally “seal the leak” in your intestinal lining. They also promote tissue growth and cellular health.

If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or thyroid condition (the vast majority of which is autoimmune), you likely have a leaky gut. So, you could benefit from adding collagen to your diet.

2. Collagen Improves the Appearance of Hair, Skin, and Nails

This is definitely one of the most popular benefits of collagen! As you age, you may have noticed that you’re not seeing as many collagen benefits as you used to. 

Your skin may have become looser and less elastic. You may have more wrinkles and creases where your skin was once more smooth and supple. In addition, you might experience brittle nails, peeling, splitting, or breakage. Your hair may also begin to thin and become dry and brittle. Make it stop!

This happens because collagen protein is essential to healthy hair, skin, and nails. As I mentioned, your natural collagen production decreases as you age. Consequently, increasing collagen intake can go a long way to make your skin appear more firm and smooth. Collagen can also benefit the appearance of your hair’s fullness and shine. (3)

Many people don’t realize that adding collagen to your diet can also help reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. The thing is, when skin loses its elasticity and becomes thin, cellulite becomes more obvious. One of the benefits of collagen is that it increases moisture retention, boosts elasticity, and helps to smooth out that dimpled appearance.

3. Collagen Impacts Joint Health

Collagen benefits your joints, tendons, and ligaments. It allows them to glide and move easily — much like how oil benefits a car! 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. These amino acids help to support joint mobility and a healthy inflammatory response.

4. Collagen Supports Weight Management

One of the most amazing benefits of collagen is that it can even help you manage your weight! Glycine, the amino acid I mentioned earlier, forms muscle by converting glucose into energy. As a result, more lean muscle tissue gives your metabolism a natural boost. This is because muscle burns more calories than fat.

Essentially, collagen benefits your body by turning it into a fat-burning machine — even when you’re at rest! Some evidence also suggests supplemental collagen may support a feeling of fullness after you eat.

5. Collagen Benefits Your Heart Health

Did you know that collagen can play an important role in your heart health? Proline, found in collagen, can reduce the depositing of fat in your arteries and repair the tissues within them. Arterial fat may play a role in high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries — two things we want to avoid.

Furthermore, collagen provides structure to your blood vessels and supports heart muscle cells. This helps ensure your heart can pump blood effectively — potentially lightening the load on this important organ!

6. Collagen Supports Bone and Joint Health

Bone health is the next benefit of taking collagen — calcium is not the only component of healthy bones! Your bones are ⅓ collagen, which gives them their flexibility. Your bone cells are constantly turning over. Therefore, adding collagen protein to your daily diet may support bone health by increasing bone mineral density. What’s more, several studies have shown that osteoporosis can be positively impacted by supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen (4)

7. Collagen Impacts Detoxification and Liver Function

The toxins we are exposed to daily must be processed by your liver to be removed from your body. Glycine, found in collagen, can support your liver during the potentially damaging detoxification process – yet another amazing benefit of taking collagen. (5)

This is particularly welcome news for those of you who consume alcohol, a toxin I suggest you avoid. 

As if all this weren’t enough, glycine may even support a calming and restful 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

To gain the full benefits of collagen, I highly recommend supplementing your diet with plenty of this important protein. Where can you find good sources? Of course, there are collagen-rich foods such as spinach, kale, tomatoes, beets, and fish. 

Bone broth has become wildly popular in recent years as an excellent source of collagen. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be a 24 to 36 hour process in your slow cooker. My Chicken Bone Broth powder makes it easy. Just add a scoop to hot water and you’re enjoying a cozy cup of hot chicken broth with all the benefits of collagen. 

Now, you may not always be in the mood for chicken broth. Don’t worry — I’ve got you. 

I take a collagen supplement every day in a convenient unflavored powder form. The Myers Way® Collagen Protein Powder  has a unique combination of amino acids in concentrated levels. It promotes the rapid reproduction of blood cells for healing. 

This collagen protein powder is easily digested in just minutes after consumption. It won’t congeal in cold liquids since it has been hydrolyzed. This allows for quick assimilation and improved hydration of your connective tissue.

I simply add it to my smoothie or hot tea each morning. My collagen protein powder is a great source of protein, with 12 grams per serving. Even more, it has no taste and can be added to juices or even a glass of water, making it a quick and easy way to reap the benefits of collagen. 

At a minimum, to help repair a leaky gut, take 1-2 rounded tablespoons per day. The many benefits of drinking collagen go far beyond “skin-deep”! With my convenient, ready-to-use collagen protein powder, you can easily make it a part of your daily health regimen.

The Final Word on the Benefits of Collagen

The multiple benefits of collagen are well documented. From improving wrinkles and hair health to supporting joints and weight management, collagen deserves a spot in your daily health regimen.

You can pack your meals with collagen-rich foods like leafy greens and fish. You could also make your own bone broth — which is teeming with collagen. 

However, adding collagen to your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated — it’s true! The Myer’s Way® Collagen Protein Powder makes it easy. It’s a convenient, no-hassle way to make sure you’re getting an optimal amount of collagen daily. Mix it into your coffee or tea, or blend it into your favorite smoothie. 

Get ready to glow from the inside out. Your body — and your hair, skin, nails, and joints — will thank you!