What is Collagen?

Collagen is a very important nutrient in the body. You can find it in many parts of the body including in bones, skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even in blood vessels, corneas and teeth. It is the most abundant protein found in the body and makes up 1⁄3 of its protein composition (1Trusted Source). Collagen plays a big role in strengthening bones and providing skin with the structure it requires (1Trusted Source). The elasticity of your skin heavily depends on the amount and quality of collagen found in your body.

Collagen in your body is replaced every 90-120 days. By increasing your intake of collagen, you make it easier for your body to breakdown the collagen and replace it. Not only does taking collagen supplements make it easier for your body to replace collagen, but it also helps your body produce higher-quality collagen.

Fruit and vegetables act as antioxidants and protect collagen from aging with oxidation. As your body ages, it can’t replace collagen as quickly. That is why it is super important to take in more collagen whether it be in the form of supplements or foods containing collagen. Smart for Life has actually started adding collagen to many of its products to provide consumers with a good dose of protein while also helping them reap the benefits of collagen. Some of the products Smart for Life offers that contain collagen include delicious meal-replacements like cookies and protein bars. These products contain hydrolyzed collagen which means that the collagen has been broken down and is now easier for your body to absorb.

Collagen is crucial for anyone trying to stay healthy, especially those who work out! It can also be very beneficial for those who have recently suffered an injury. If you’ve been questioning the way your skin has been looking recently, you may find that collagen is your answer.

The list of benefits from collagen goes on and on. The benefit that people are most familiar with is its power to improve skin health. By eating more food with collagen, you may be able to help combat wrinkles and slow the aging of your skin. Collagen strengthens skin and improves elasticity and hydration (1Trusted Source). If you have joint pain, you may be able to ease it with collagen too. It helps protect your joints by maintaining your cartilage. The reason people experience more joint pain as they age is because of the decreasing amount of collagen in their bodies. Not consuming enough collagen can lead to degenerative joint disorders like osteoarthritis.

Another benefit of collagen is that it can help you prevent bone loss. As you age and the collagen deteriorates in your body, so does your bone mass. Studies have shown that collagen supplements can help inhibit the bone breakdown that leads to osteoporosis (1Trusted Source).

Collagen has also been known to boost muscle mass. It is essential for keeping your muscles strong and functioning properly. Researchers believe that collagen may promote the synthesis of muscle proteins like creatine (1Trusted Source). Researchers also have found that collagen can reduce the risk of heart-related conditions. Collagen is the main source of structure for your arteries. If you lack collagen, your arteries could become weak and fragile. Other health benefits include increased hair, nail, gut, and brain health. Some believe that collagen can also help you lose weight by speeding up your metabolism (1Trusted Source). To view the full line of Smart for Life collagen-infused products, click here.