Collagen Peptides: The Best Anti-Ageing Supplement For Skin, Joints, & Gut Health 

Collagen is the central protein that forms your skin, bones, hair, joints and connective tissue, making up around 30% of your entire body, and is the most abundant protein in all mammals. You need collagen to help maintain strong joints, healthy hair and prevent skin ageing, as well as recovering from exercise and preventing the onset of issues like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. [1]
Supplementing with collagen has become more popular over the last few years, but there are several different types of collagen, and it can be confusing to know which is the best type of collagen for you. In this article, you’ll learn the difference between collagen and collagen peptides, why collagen peptides are the best anti-ageing supplements [2], how to use collagen peptides, and the key benefits of collagen peptides to help you look and feel younger.

Collagen Vs Collagen Peptides: Which Is Best?

Collagen is a long chain of amino acids which helps form skin, bones and connective tissue and is an important structural protein in the body. The problem with consuming a standard collagen supplement however, is that it’s very difficult to digest and break down, meaning you’re simply not getting the benefits. Conversely, collagen peptides are very easily digested; they’re quickly broken down by the body, and are a fast way to recover from exercise, improve joint health and reduce skin ageing.

Many studies also show that significant amounts of collagen peptides can be consumed without upsetting the balance of amino acids in the body and having essentially no reported side-effects. [3] [4] Peptides are beneficial because they’re concentrated and isolated, so you’ll absorb them faster and notice the benefits sooner. The Love Life Supplements Peptiplus Collagen Peptides contains types 1 and 2 hydrolysed bovine collagen, which is identical to the collagen found in human bones and skin and which studies show help improve issues like knee pain and stiffness, and osteoarthritis. [5]

Who Should You Take Collagen Peptides?

Collagen production peaks between the ages of 25-35 [6], and research shows that after age 20, collagen decreases at a rate of roughly 1% per year. This means that if you’re over 20, it’s beneficial to take collagen for improved skin elasticity and hydration. [7] Fine lines and wrinkles are usually the most obvious signs of ageing related to collagen degeneration, but collagen is also found in your joint cartilage and bones too, and collagen peptides are one of the most effective supplements for improving joint health, recovery from injury, as well as body composition. [8] You should take collagen peptides if you’re:

• Over 20
• Recovering from an injury or operation
• Noticing fine lines and wrinkles, or want to maintain youthful skin
• Regularly active
• Experiencing joint pain or arthritis
• Concerned about osteopenia or osteoporosis
• Interested in reducing ageing
• Needing to improve your gut health
• Wanting to stay active later in life

Top 4 Benefits of Collagen

By now, you’re hopefully getting the idea that collagen peptides are highly beneficial for anti-ageing, joint health, skin, muscles, and exercise recovery. Here, we’ll focus on 4 key benefits of collagen peptides and how to use them, so you can look and feel younger inside and out.

Collagen Peptides For Arthritis & Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease worldwide; statistics show that over 18% of people over age 45 in the UK have sought treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee in recent years, and the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age. [9] A third of women and almost a quarter of men between the ages of 45 and 64 have sought treatment for osteoarthritis, rising to almost half of those aged 75. [10] Those who suffer with osteoarthritis can find it difficult to stay active, so benefit from using collagen peptides to help them get back to being active and improving quality of life. Collagen peptides are shown to help reduce osteoarthritis symptoms across all age ranges [11], reduce joint stiffness and improve mobility. They also help improve bone density and bone health in osteopenia, which make collagen peptides one of the most important supplements for menopausal women at risk of reduced bone density. [12] [13] To improve joint health, take collagen peptides before exercise. Research shows that supplementing with them in the evening increases benefits too, and can even improve sleep.

Related: Support Your Joints With The Joint Support Bundle

Collagen Peptides For Skin

You already know that after age 20, collagen production reduces at a rate of around 1% per year. The fine lines and wrinkles you can see slowly appearing are a direct result of reduced collagen in the skin, as well as dehydration. Research shows that supplementing with collagen peptides helps reduce wrinkles, improves skin hydration, elasticity and density. [14] [15] When taken daily, collagen peptides not only reduce signs of ageing, but prevent further ageing of the skin [16] and heal skin damage. [17] Take collagen peptides any time of day for skin benefits; in your morning smoothie, with a warm drink, or before bed.

Collagen Peptides For Gut Health

Collagen makes up a large amount of your gut lining, and regular consumption of collagen peptides can help improve your gut health.[18] Studies show collagen peptides help strengthen the tight junctions of the gut wall, and prevent intestinal permeability (commonly known as ‘leaky gut’). [19] Leaky gut is one of the most common causes of issues like IBS, Coeliac disease, chronic inflammation, food allergies and sensitivities, autoimmune conditions, nutrient deficiencies, bloating, poor immune health, brain fog, fatigue, and mood disorders. [20] By using collagen peptides to improve your gut health, you can automatically improve other areas of your health to improve your mood, focus and energy levels too.

Collagen Peptides For Exercise Recovery

When you workout, you break down collagen in your body in the natural process of ‘wear and tear’. The right amount of exercise is a good stress for the body, and after the natural wear and tear that occurs during a workout, your body gets to work repairing and replenishing your muscles, joints and bones. Exercise makes these parts of the body stronger over time, but only if you have the right nutrition. After exercising, your body needs to use amino acids, proteins and collagen to repair the damage; if you don’t have adequate levels, your body can’t repair itself optimally. Supplementing with collagen peptides is shown to help joints, bones and muscles recover quicker after exercise [21] and prevent injuries. [22] For cartilage and ligament support, take collagen peptides around 1 hour before your workout, and include them in your post-workout smoothie for enhanced recovery. [23]

How To Use Collagen Peptides

Collagen peptides are versatile and easy to use. The powder dissolves easily and can be mixed into hot or cold drinks, and research shows they can be taken multiple times per day. [24] Many people choose to make a morning bullet proof coffee with collagen peptides, which are easily digested and high in protein. Collagen peptides can also be blended into smoothies, mixed into warm porridge, or used in baking for healthy afternoon snacks. Love Life Supplements’ Collagen Peptides includes vitamin C for enhanced collagen synthesis, comes in a range of flavours, and is naturally sweetened with stevia, so there’s no need to add any sweeteners. Start getting the benefits of collagen now by using it in our Ultimate Collagen Hot Chocolate recipe.

Key Takeaways

• Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, making up the structure of skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, cartilage and connective tissue.
• After age 20, collagen production starts to decrease, so anyone over 20 should consider supplementing with collagen peptides.
• Collagen peptides are more easily digested and absorbed than collagen alone, and are a concentrated supplement for joint and skin health.
• The benefits of collagen peptides include reducing wrinkles and reversing skin damage, reducing joint pain and arthritis, improving bone density, enhancing exercise recovery, making hair and nails thicker and stronger, and improving gut health
• Collagen peptides can be easily mixed into hot and cold drinks, smoothies, added to baking and consumed throughout the day

References

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• [2] Al-Atif H. Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: A Paradigm Shift in the Fields of Dermatology and Cosmetics. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2022 Jan 1;12(1):e2022018. doi: 10.5826/dpc.1201a18. PMID: 35223163; PMCID: PMC8824545.
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• [5] Robert B. Harris, Fernando L. A Fonseca, Matthew H. Sharp & Charlie R. Ottinger(2022) Functional Characterization of Undenatured Type II Collagen Supplements: Are They Interchangeable?, Journal of Dietary Supplements, 19:6, 717-732, DOI: 1080/19390211.2021.1931621
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