Discover the Important Role of Collagen Peptides For Weight Loss
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Collagen has emerged on the health and wellness scene as a way to hold off the effects of aging. However, what about collagen peptides for weight loss? Can collagen supplementation help you to maintain a healthy weight?
Often called the 'fountain of youth', adding collagen hydrolysate (also called hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides) or bone broth to your daily routine is an easy way to help in your weight loss or weight maintenance goals.
Along with this, collagen has other powerful health benefits such as:
- Improved gut health
- Healthy skin and healthy hair
- Strengthened connective tissue (including pelvic floor)
- A reduction in cellulite
- Increased skin elasticity
- Improved joint pain and joint health
- Accelerated wound healing
In this article, we'll talk about what collagen protein is, the benefits of consuming collagen powder or pills to help with weight loss and how it may work for you.
You'll definitely want to check out our collagen weight loss review for products that women can use safely and effectively. Be prepared for compliments after using these collagen weight loss products!
Collagen and Your Body
If you didn't, one, the human body is made up of approximately 16% proteins and collagen makes up around 30% of those proteins.
In other words, collagen is the most abundant protein found in your body.
Not only that, but there are also more than 28 types of collagen in your body. The most common types you will find are:
- I: skin, tendons, blood vessel walls, connective tissues, bones and what rushes in to heal a skin injury (marine collagen is especially high in Type I)
- II: concentrated in cartilage, the soft cushioning between joints
- III: helps maintains structure of the heart and skin
- V: appears in hair
- X: crucial in bone formation
Scientifically speaking, collagen is a key structural, long-chain amino acid protein within your connective tissues and provides structure to your skin, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones.
What is collagen made of?
Getting into more general detail, the collagen protein is made from a unique combination of amino acids and then synthesized by vitamin C, zinc and copper.
Besides, collagen also appears in your muscles, gut, eyes and arteries.
In fact, collagen effectively works as a strong and flexible "glue" that holds and binds cells together.
Also, it also sends out important signals to your body's cells to help repair damaged cells and reduce inflammation.
Here's the deal:
As you approach your late 20s, your body slows down new collagen production to the tune of approximately 1% each year thereafter. Once you are in menopause and afterwards, the your collagen level continues to fall at a faster rate.
What does a collagen deficiency look like?
You'll start to notice wrinkles and fine lines staring back at you in the mirror.
In addition, you may start noticing you have the symptoms of a leaky gut, painful, swollen joints, dull and thin hair, weak nails, under eye circles, weaker arteries, smaller muscles and weaker bones--just to name a few.
Aging is not for the faint of heart for sure! Although collagen production will slow down over time, you don't have to accept that's the way it is. You can both protect the collagen you do have and encourage new production.
What is Collagen Hydrolysate?
You might be wondering:
Where does the collagen in supplements come from?
It comes from the unused parts of animals such as bovine (beef), marine (fish) and chicken. In other words, they use the hides, bones, skin and scales and joints to extract the collagen protein to use in supplements.
(Actually, bone broth is a nutritious, filling and comforting drink that has been used in past generations. It too is made from bones and joints of animals, simmered in water for hours to draw out the collagen and amino acids.)
With this in mind, the collagen protein chain itself is long, complex, strong and flexible--it's also large. Because it's so large, it's not able to be absorbed by the body. In other words, it's not bio-available in that form.
Therefore, producers of a collagen supplement uses water (hydrolyze) to break down the protein into much smaller parts, called peptides. These peptides are much more bio-available.
Hence, the names collagen hydrolysate or collagen peptides supplement are all the same thing.
Are Collagen Peptides Safe for Weight Loss?
Yes, generally, collagen peptides are considered to be safe, although you want to choose a high-quality, clean product.
It would be a good idea to consult with your physician before adding collagen to your daily routine--especially if you're taking prescription medications.
For most people, collagen supplements won't result in any side effects. However, for some people, they could experience heartburn or a 'full feeling'.
You will want to look at the labels for any collagen you're buying to make sure you don't have an allergy to any of the ingredients. Along with this, pay particular note to the source of collagen, eg. bovine, marine, plant-based, etc.
Promotes satiety
Those who take collagen supplements often feel satisfied and don't need to eat as much.
Furthermore, avoiding food cravings or constant snacking will help you take in less calories, leading to weight loss.
In another study on the how filling collagen can be, the results of a group of 71-year old women showed gelatin (natural, highly-concentrated collagen) was approximately 40% more filling than other proteins.
Aids in improving muscle mass
As mentioned above, collagen helps to build muscle mass. Greater lean muscle mass boosts metabolism, which helps burn more calories--even while you sleep.
Helps smooth cellulite
Smooth and firm skin can make people feel younger, slimmer and more confident.
Because one of the causes of cellulite is uneven connective tissue under skin, collagen can help to support that tissue.
At the same time, it can boost skin thickness and elasticity, both of which reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Collagen Peptides, Menopause and Weight Loss
One of the more frequent complaints of women during or post menopause is weight gain.
Some women didn't struggle with their weight until peri- or post-menopause. Yet, here they are, seeing the scale rise, sometimes despite eating a healthy diet.
Menopause, a major physical transition in a woman's life, causes estrogen levels to drop and cortisol to rise. As a consequence, a series of changes take place in the body that results in unwanted weight gain.
In 2016, a study on weight reduction in menopause showed collagen helped to reduce weight gain and stabilize energy use.
As a result, if you have a diet full of collagen rich foods, along with collagen powder, you may be able to avoid weight gain during or after menopause.
Using Collagen Peptides After Weight Loss
What if you've already lost a lot of weight? Now you're probably looking at loose skin as a result. Is there any way other than surgery to help tighten up the skin post weight loss?
The loose skin lacks density and thickness of collagen fibers as shown in this article.
Without a doubt, collagen supplements or collagen-rich foods can't work miracles.
However, it is an important nutrient in our bodies that can help improve your skin's appearance and boost muscle mass which also can help tighten up the skin overall.
Choosing a Collagen Peptide Weight Loss Supplement
Overall, since this is something going into your body, you'll want to choose a high-quality collagen peptide supplement for weight loss.
These are the factors to look for when consuming collagen peptides for weight loss product:
FINAL THOUGHTS
Collagen peptides for weight loss can help you not only lose weight but also maintain that weight loss.
Since it's a protein, collagen can help you stay fuller longer so you don't eat as much.
In addition, it can help increase muscle mass. More muscle mass leads to more calories that are burned.
In fact, collagen can also smooth the appearance of cellulite which is apparent in many who are overweight.
We recommend Vitauthority Multi Collagen protein to receive the benefits of five types of collagen protein.
With this in mind, collagen powder or pills by themselves will not result in weight loss and overall good health.
A healthy diet and exercise are the primary ways to lose weight and maintain the weight loss.
However, collagen peptides can help someone meet and maintain their weight and health goals.
Most important, collagen supplements can aid weight loss and helps you maintain a healthy weight without known adverse effects.