Collagen is one of the essential proteins responsible for healthy, glowing skin. Your body naturally produces it in abundance while we’re young. But unfortunately -- like many aspects of the body -- as we get older, our production starts to slow down. This leads to less resilience and lower elasticity in your skin and eventually results in *gasp* wrinkles.
Thankfully, collagen supplements can help you breathe life back into your skin -- but how long does it take for them to work? Let’s break it down…
Everything You Need To Know About Collagen Supplements
Collagen is found everywhere in our body -- in the gut, tendons, bones, skin, muscles, and even our internal organs. Our bodies naturally produce collagen, but as we start to get older, the rate at which we make collagen decreases. Hence, we start noticing wrinkles, achy joints, and sagging skin -- eek!
In fact, after we turn 20, most people start producing 1 percent less collagen in their skin each year. This is why it’s a smart move to start taking a quality collagen supplement sooner than later.
What are the benefits of taking collagen?
Commonly referred to as “the fountain of youth,” supplementing collagen into your diet comes with a ton of incredible benefits, such as:
Can support skin health.
Did you know that collagen is a major component of your skin? Yup, it’s true!
Collagen plays a major role in strengthening the skin, plus may benefit hydration and elasticity. As we mentioned, your body tends to produce less collagen as you age, leading to dry skin and wrinkles.
The good news is, many studies show that supplements containing collagen may help slow down the appearance of aging by reducing dryness and wrinkle visibility.
Can support joint health.
Collagen helps maintain the integrity of our cartilage, which is the rubber-like tissue that protects our joints. As the collagen in our body begins to decrease with age, our risk of developing degenerative joint disorders such as osteoarthritis increases.
Taking collagen supplements to help replace the collagen that your joints lose as you age can help support overall joint health and mobility.
Helps support digestive health.
When your gut is out of whack -- your whole body is out of whack. Thankfully, collagen can help support digestive health (specifically the intestinal tract and stomach) thanks to its amino acids glycine, glutamine, and proline that are beneficial to GI function.
Helps build muscle mass.
The powerful amino acid glycine found in collagen helps convert glucose into energy and increase lean muscle mass. Taking good ol’ vitamin C along with collagen aids this process.
Supports heart health.
Researchers have theorized that taking quality collagen supplements may also help to support heart health.
You see, collagen provides structure to your arteries -- which are the tiny blood vessels that carry blood from your ticker to the rest of your body. Without enough collagen, your arteries could become fragile and weak.
In one study observing collagen and heart health, 31 healthy adults took 16 grams of collagen daily for six months. By the end, each adult had experienced a significant reduction in measures of artery stiffness compared with before they started taking the supplement containing collagen.
Additionally, they increased their levels of “good” cholesterol by an average of six percent. Nevertheless, more studies on collagen's role in heart health are needed, but it’s hard to ignore the incredible results research has shown us so far.
If you're thinking about using collagen for heart health, be sure to chat with your doctor first.
So, how does our body even digest collagen?
Good question. Collagen -- like all proteins -- is composed of a link of amino acids. This link is known as a peptide.
Once we eat protein, hydrochloric acid digestive enzymes -- specifically, proteases from the pancreas -- break down the protein into amino acids and smaller peptide chains. These amino acids and peptides are then absorbed into the small intestine, where they can enter the bloodstream.
When we consume collagen from whole foods, it’s likely not as readily available for our body to use since we have to do a little more work to break it down to digest it and absorb all the helpful nutrients. Collagen peptides found in supplemental form, however, are more bioavailable and easier for the body to use.
So, simply put, when we eat collagen-rich food such as fish, chicken, and egg whites, our body has to digest the protein, causing it to go through an intricate process before the nutrients can even enter our bloodstream. But when we consume collagen supplements, the collagen is more readily absorbed by the bloodstream delivering healthy nutrients to the body sooner than later.
How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?
Now that you understand what collagen is and why it’s such a beneficial supplement to add to your diet, let’s talk about how long it takes for it to work, shall we?
Once collagen supplements are absorbed into your bloodstream, your body can use this collagen pretty quickly, but don’t expect to see visible results overnight.
Our Good to Glow targeted daily skin supplement can provide results in as little as 2 to 6 weeks, but may take longer for some people depending on their genetics and how their body processes collagen supplements.
According to a recent study, collagen peptides substantially reduced wrinkles by over 30 percent after three months (about 8 weeks). However, some participants saw undeniable results just after a few weeks -- so it may vary from person to person.
Because our bodies are all unique, results will always vary. But as long as you stick with it and make a good habit of taking a quality collagen supplement daily, you'll likely see results pretty quickly!
Bottom Line
So, how long does it take for collagen supplements to work, you ask?
Collagen supplements technically start to work the moment you take them. And as long as you take them daily, you should begin to see results in as little as a few weeks. This could mean stronger nails, healthier hair, and dewy skin.
For the best supplement on the market for skin that glows, we recommend our Good to Glow formula. This powerful supplement contains a combo of ingredients like biotin, organic ashwagandha, and vitamin C for a clear, radiant complexion.
Pair it with a quality multivitamin like Daily Love to provide support for stress, immunity, sexual wellness, and you’re sure to feel like a million bucks!
For all of your health and wellness needs, we have your back (well really, your whole body!)
Check out Love Wellness today and see the difference that good-for-you products backed by real doctors can make on your health. Trust us -- you’ll be glowing in no time!
Sources:
Why Does SKin Wrinkle? Scientific American
Are Collagen Supplements a Fountain of Youth?
Osteoarthritis - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
Effect of Collagen Tripeptide on Atherosclerosis in Healthy Humans | NCBI
BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY GUT - Health Beat