People have been looking for the mysterious Fountain of Youth for centuries. In fact, legend has it that Ponce de Leon was searching for it when he landed in what is now Florida back in 1513.
While that legendary Fountain of Youth may not exist, some health and beauty professionals believe we can look younger, longer with a little help from a protein that our bodies already produce.
The collagen supplement market is a $98 million business in the U.S. Keep reading for answers to your most pressing questions about collagen and whether it’s the fountain of youth you’ve been looking for.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein found in the body in our bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. In fact, it makes up two-thirds of the protein in our body. Think of it as scaffolding for the body that holds everything together. Collagen is what gives our skin strength and elasticity.
As we age, our body produces less collagen, so our skin doesn’t bounce back the way it did when we were younger. Less elasticity means more wrinkles. A decrease in collagen is responsible, not only for wrinkles but also sagging skin and joint pain.
What Are Collagen Supplements?
As the name suggests, these are products you can buy to replace the collagen you’re losing as you get older. When people talk about collagen supplements, most of them are referring to “hydrolyzed collagen”.
That’s the process that breaks down collagen into a powder that can be added to your food or drink. Hydrolyzed collagen is much easier for your body to digest and use. Here’s a look at the best collagen supplements 2019.
Will a Collagen Supplement Get Rid of My Wrinkles?
While the science is still relatively new, studies do suggest that ingesting collagen does reduce wrinkles. In fact, one study found that women who took a collagen supplement for 12 weeks had 76% less dryness, 12% fewer visible wrinkles, better blood flow in the skin and a 6% higher collagen content.
Another study showed women who took a supplement every day for just eight weeks experienced less skin dryness and a significant increase in skin elasticity, compared to those who didn’t take the supplement
Collagen fillers have been around for years, and women get them to reduce the fine lines and wrinkles around their mouth and nose. You can read more about lip filler on our blog.
Do Collagen Supplements Help Joint Pain Too?
A decrease in collagen means more than wrinkles. As we age, our risk of developing joint problems like arthritis also increases. Some studies have shown that taking collagen supplements may reduce joint pain overall.
In one study, 73 athletes who consumed 10 grams of collagen daily for 24 weeks experienced a significant decrease in joint pain.
Final Thoughts
While explorers search for the Fountain of Youth, you can slow the signs of aging with a daily collagen supplement. Fewer wrinkles and healthy nails can keep you looking and feeling younger!
If you have questions about collagen supplements or other cosmetic advances, send them to us!
