Should You Take Collagen?
Nov 25, 2022If you’re working on improving your health, getting stronger, or losing fat, then you’ve probably looked into supplements to support your goals.
One supplement we’ve seen a lot lately is collagen, and our clients often ask us questions about the benefits of collagen and other supplements.
One of the amazing things about the KJO Coaching team is that we have over 20 years of combined experience and extensive advanced education in fields including nursing, nutrition, psychology, and exercise physiology.
Our education means that when you have questions and concerns about your health, we can often help you (but we cannot give you medical advice).
We recently had someone ask if collagen could help with joint pain and arthritis, so we wanted to share the same information with you.
The answer is yes! Taking collagen can help with joint pain and arthritis. And the coolest part is that collagen supplements (specifically type II collagen supplements) can help healthy joints, too.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the main component of your body’s connective tissues and is found in skin, teeth, cartilage, bones, tendons, and organs.
You can think of collagen as scaffolding that gives your body strength and structure by holding cells together.
There are three types of collagen.
Type II collagen, the kind we recommend for joint pain and arthritis, is the collagen that preserves joint function and protects your joints against damage.
Types I and III collagen are used for strong hair, skin, nails, and bones.
Why Take Collagen Supplements?
Type II collagen supplements can improve your joint health and reduce joint pain.
You can take collagen supplements as a preventative measure to keep your joints as healthy as possible, even if you don’t have arthritis or joint pain.
And, of course, strength training will help with your joint health as well.
You can also take types I and III collagen supplements to improve the appearance of your hair, skin, and nails. Once you start taking these kinds of collagen supplements, you may notice that your hair is shinier and your nails grow more quickly.
Just bear in mind that the research into types I and III collagen supplements may not be reliable because those studies are funded by beauty companies that benefit from research that supports their claims.
However, there are several studies that support type II collagen supplements. Joint pain in athletes is usually due to overtraining or arthritis—both of which may be improved by taking a type II collagen supplement.
Why do Collagen Supplements Work?
Arthritis happens when your body’s immune system mistakenly targets and attacks joint cartilage as a foreign, unwanted substance and begins to break down the structural identity of your joints.
Studies show that type II collagen can help alleviate arthritis by turning off this autoimmune response to preserve the joint.
We recommend taking 10 mg of type II collagen daily to improve joint health, and you can expect to begin feeling noticeable changes in a few months.
The nice thing about taking a collagen supplement is that there are no side effects unless you happen to be allergic, which means it is a very safe supplement to try.
And although there’s no guaranteed way to prevent arthritis, you can take collagen as a step to reduce your risk of developing it. Regular exercise and maintaining your overall health are other ways to reduce your risk of arthritis.
If you want to learn more about supplements you can use to assist you in your health and wellness journey, check out our FREE supplement guide here. This guide will help you identify quality supplements that you can use to support you on your health and fitness journey.
Just remember, supplements will not give you results. Only hard work and consistency will do that, but taking high-quality supplements will make it easier for you to achieve your goals.
Want more help reaching your health and fitness goals?
Click here to learn more about working with the incredible team at KJO Coaches.
We’re all about helping high-achieving women like you prioritize themselves and love the way they look and feel by teaching them to upgrade their health, physique, and mindset.
Check out the original post here.
Connect with us!
Email: [email protected]
