How long does it take for collagen to work?

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When you start a new supplement into your routine, it’s only natural to expect outcomes. How long does it take for collagen to work though?

That takes some patience. Now, there are certain things that you should see right away—we’ll get to that shortly—but for the full advantages, wait at least 30 days before determining whether a supplement works for

We’ll go through why you may want to take a collagen supplement, how long it takes for each disease-specific area to manifest changes, and the various variables that can impact those timings.

Why take collagen? 

Many people and experts cite a number of reasons for taking collagen supplements on a daily basis. Perhaps you’ve heard some of the following, which have piqued your interest in the supplement—and maybe even brought you here.

Collagen is a protein that is naturally present in many parts of the body, including the skin, muscles, joints, and gut.

Collagen is a fibrous, protein-rich structural substance present in connective tissues that gives our skin its suppleness, elasticity, and strength. It can be found in the dermis of human skin. Types I through III are the most frequent (In fact, there are at least 28 distinct kinds of collagen that we know

A daily collagen pill has several advantages, including firmer skin, thicker hair and nails, and a slew of other benefits.

Collagen is the most plentiful protein in the human body, and it is highly essential for many areas of the body. Many individuals may be concerned about how long they should wait to see any benefits from taking collagen supplements.

What actually is collagen?

Collagen is present in all of our body, including the gastrointestinal tract, muscles, bones, skin, tendons, and even internal organs.

Although our bodies create collagen on their own, the rate at which we make it decreases as we age, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles.

In reality, it is believed that the majority of people generate 1% less collagen each year after they reach age 20. As a result, beginning to take a collagen supplement as soon as possible is recommended.

What are the benefits of collagen?

In the following section, we’ll go through some of the advantages of taking a collagen supplement on a daily basis.

Collagen supplements, for example, have been found to increase skin elasticity and give it a more youthful appearance.

According to a research in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, persons who took collagen peptides for two months daily had improved skin elasticity when compared to those who received a placebo (1).

Collagen is a protein that assists with hair and nail growth (2, 3). Collagen supplements can help your nails be more durable.

Although collagen adds to our beauty and beauty routine, it also performs a variety of other functions. People who suffer from joint discomfort have seen significant advantages as a result of collagen use. It has even been suggested that it might help with gut health and the immune system’s functionality.

While foods are capable of providing collagen, taking a powdered supplement ensures that you consume enough to see a difference. Collagen powder is also fantastic for mixing into smoothies, soups, or even desserts because it may be used in limitless ways.

How does our body breaks down collagen?

Before we get into how long it takes for collagen to work, let’s take a quick look at the science behind how we digest, absorb, and metabolize collagen.

Collagen is made of a chain of amino acids, much like other proteins. A peptide is a term for this connection.

When we eat protein, our stomach produces hydrochloric acid digestive enzymes – especially pancreatic proteases. The protein is broken down into amino acids and smaller peptide chains by these enzymes.

Once they’re in the small intestine, they become absorbed into circulation and travel to the bloodstream via the portal vein.

When we eat animal-derived collagen, we don’t absorb as much of it into our bodies because we have to work harder to break down and digest this protein.

Collagen peptides that are taken as supplements are more bioavailable and easier for the body to utilize since they are essentially a pre-digested form of collagen.

How long does it take to see results with collagen?

When collagen peptides are absorbed into the circulation, our bodies can utilize this collagen rapidly – even in less than an hour, collagen peptides may start working their magic in our cells.

The speed of collagen action is affected by your current collagen levels. If you have exceptionally low levels, you may notice a bigger difference after taking it for some time.

Furthermore, if you have a high collagen status, you may not notice as great of an impact.

The sooner you’ll notice a difference, the lower your collagen levels will be.

You may notice a difference in a few weeks if you’re using collagen for your skin. After three months, collagen peptides reduced wrinkles by over 30% in a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (3). Some participants in the research observed improvements after just four weeks, so it might take longer than that for you.

In another study, participants were given a regimen of exercise and diet that significantly improved skin elasticity in eight to 12 weeks.

It might take a few weeks longer for you to notice an improvement if you’re using collagen to address joint discomfort.

Collagen peptides improved joint pain in athletes after 24 weeks when consumed on a daily basis. This is all the more reason to make sure you’re taking your collagen pill on a regular basis to get the most out of it.

Depend on how much you take 

The amount of collagen protein in foods affects their effect. Collagen peptide supplements, too, are regulated by the dosage.

Collagen is a necessary component of the body’s structure. Because it is the most abundant protein in the human body, we require it in numerous locations to achieve optimal health.

If you have a lot of collagen and little amounts of collagen, you should see an improvement promptly.

However, if you only take collagen peptides once in a while or even just half of the advised amount, there’s simply no way that they would have an effect.

Age is a factor

As we grow older, our bodies begin to produce less collagen naturally. This decrease in collagen is one of the reasons why our skin sags and why we develop joint pain as we age.

Age is one of the key elements that influence collagen supplements’ success. Aka, age can be a factor in how long it takes for the collagen to work.

Your body makes a lot of collagen when you’re young.

If you start taking a collagen supplement before the age of 20, you will not notice any significant improvement. After all, you’re only producing what you need.

However, if you have a medical condition or an auto-immune disease that inhibits collagen formation, this may not be the case. Consult with your doctor to determine whether collagen supplements are appropriate for you if this is the case.

On the other hand, when our body’s collagen production begins to fall, you’re more likely to notice a benefit from collagen supplements.

Create a Healthy Diet For Ideal Results 

Make careful to take into account the importance of a well-balanced, whole-foods diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats.

The jury is still out on the effects of consuming collagen. Although it has been shown to reduce joint pain and inflammation, collagen supplements may not fulfill all of your body’s needs if you are deficient in other nutrients. Collagen can only do so much if your diet is lacking in other areas.

Make sure your diet is mostly composed of whole, unprocessed foods.

Reduce your use of refined flours, oils, and sugars, as well as sodium and processed foods. These can harm your skin’s health, gut health, immune health, and inflammation.

In conclusion, a poor diet defeats the advantages of collagen supplementation.

Conclusion

Collagen supplements are used by many people to improve their skin, hair, nails, digestion, and other bodily functions. There’s evidence that consuming collagen peptides—particularly those that are well-absorbed by the body—may be beneficial.

The effectiveness of collagen supplements is determined by a variety of variables, including age, amount, diet and lifestyle, and individual collagen requirements.

In general, 10 grams of collagen peptides per day for 4-12 weeks is beneficial to most people. However, keep in mind that this will differ from person to person.

Finally, keep in mind that a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole foods is the greatest way to get the most out of your collagen supplement.

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