With fad diets becoming a thing of the past, more people are looking for natural and sustainable ways to lose weight. Collagen peptides have become a standout supplement for this reason. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body, and supplementing collagen may help you lose weight in a number of ways, which we’ll talk about in this article.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is an important protein in your body that provides the structure, support, and strength to our muscles, bones, and connective tissue. Collagen accounts for 30% of our body’s protein, making it the most abundant protein in the body’s system.
Collagen can be found everywhere in our bodies, from our blood vessels and tendons to our hair and organs. This essential protein plays a significant role in maintaining skin elasticity, joint health, and gut health.
Even though our bodies produce collagen naturally, getting enough to maintain our health can be difficult. That’s why many people resort to supplements. Since collagen peptides are low in calories and high in protein, they are viable for weight gain prevention.
Consistently getting the right amount through foods high in collagen can demand your time and mental energy. Supplements like The Root Brands can sufficiently help deal with this problem. Our products, Crush and Sculpt, can provide you with essential amino acids and other nutrients to support your weight loss journey.
Your weight loss goal is not far-fetched, as we are about to explore the health benefits of collagen protein and how The Root Brands can support your healthier lifestyle.
How Does Collagen Work in Aiding to Lose Weight?
Remember that collagen supplements are not a magic pill for weight loss. While it has several benefits in reducing body weight and supporting lean muscle mass, you should also focus on building a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Collagen peptides support weight loss by decreasing your appetite – making you feel fuller and eat less – and increasing your insulin sensitivity. Let’s talk a little more about some of the ways in which collagen for weight loss works.
1. Muscle Mass Metabolism
A good weight loss journey can start with muscle mass building and boosting metabolism. This is because gaining muscle is a crucial part of losing weight. Muscles increase the number of calories your body burns during rest.
Remember we mentioned before that collagen is the primary structural protein in your muscles? Well, collagen intake can help you increase muscle mass and aid in muscle growth.
A 2015 study of older adults with age-related muscle loss underwent 12 weeks of weight training. Collagen peptide supplements were given to half of the individuals, and a placebo was assigned to the other half. The results showed a higher increase in muscle mass and strength in those who received collagen peptides. Also, compared to the placebo group, the peptide group shed greater fat mass.
Based on the findings from this study, we can determine that collagen supplements might help with weight loss by increasing the benefits of weight training on muscle mass.
2. Reduce Joint Pain
Collagen helps our body function flexibly, reduces joint pain, and helps us have enough strength. Two types of collagen might help with joint pain – hydrolyzed collagen and undenatured type II collagen.
In hydrolyzed collagen, the collagen is broken down into peptides – which are a short chain of amino acids – by hydrolysis. This type of collagen can enter joint tissue and repair damaged cartilage, thus reducing joint pain.
Undenatured collagen helps heal and maintain the ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue surrounding the joints by producing chemicals that help fight pain and swelling. Unlike hydrolyzed collagen, this type of collagen is not as well absorbed or broken down.
3. Satiety Promotion
One of the huge benefits of protein is its ability to keep us feeling full and reduce food cravings. So even if collagen doesn’t specifically promote weight loss because it’s a protein, it will inadvertently aid in reducing body fat by helping you stay full and eat less junk.
Also, muscle is built by protein, and proteins boost metabolism. Following a resistance training session, the muscle fiber breaks down due to microscopic tears. Protein synthesis, initiated when you add protein to your body, uses amino acids to rebuild and repair that ripped muscle tissue. That’s the reason bodybuilders love protein so much.
Do the Collagen Supplements You Choose Matter?
If you’ve ever wondered why you get different results when taking different collagen supplements, this section might just answer your question. Firstly, there is a big difference between collagen peptides and collagen supplements.
Collagen peptides (also widely known as hydrolyzed collagen) are fragments from animal collagen. This collagen has been broken down further through hydrolysis. When this is done, human bodies can effectively absorb it.
Collagen supplements, on the other hand, come from two primary sources: bovine and marine collagen. These supplements include amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Some collagen supplements may also contain other nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, or biotin, which are important for healthy skin and hair.
Using collagen supplements regularly has been shown in studies to help retain the moisture and elasticity of older adults’ skin. It’s also shown to reduce the aging process that causes brittle bones by strengthening their bones.
Is Hydrolyzed Collagen the Best to Take for Weight Loss?
If you’re looking for the best collagen for weight loss, hydrolyzed collagen (HC) peptides are usually considered the best form to ingest. Hydrolyzed collagen means the collagen becomes more accessible for your body to digest by being broken down into small peptides.
There is very little human research on the impact of collagen supplementation on body fat reduction, and more research is necessary. However, hydrolyzed collagen might offer better improvements in body composition as research shows that it may prevent the development of new fat cells.
There have also been some studies that have shown that using HC supplements alongside resistance training, like weightlifting, can enhance lean body mass – commonly known as fat-free mass.
What is The Best Source of Hydrolyzed Collagen?
Hydrolyzed collagen can be extracted from various sources, including pigs and cows. But in recent years, these sources have been revealed to have some health restrictions like disease related to those animals and religious limitations. Instead, according to some studies, the HC found in the skin, scales, and bones from marine sources might be the better alternative.
Is Type 2 Collagen the Same as Hydrolyzed Collagen?
No, type 2 collagen is not the same as hydrolyzed collagen. Native type II collagen acts on the small intestine directly through a process known as oral tolerance. This process lessens the inflammation and tissue breakdown at the joint cartilage.
Unlike type 2 collagen, hydrolyzed collagen has been shown to contain natural, active peptides that can reach joint tissues, help improve joint movement, and reduce the progression of narrowing space between joints, known as chondroprotection. Here are some other differences between the two types of collagen:
While hydrolyzed collagen comprises amino acids and peptides, type 2 collagen retains its natural triple helix structure.
Hydrolyzed collagen can be taken from various connective tissues, including skin, bone, and tendon. On the other hand, type 2 collagen mainly comes from cartilage.
The amount needed to help improve joint health between the two types of collagen is different. You need to take 5 to 10 grams of hydrolyzed collagen a day vs. type 2 collagen’s dose of 40 mg/day.
How Much Collagen Do I Need to Take Per Day to Lose Weight?
A 2019 analysis of clinical studies found that consuming 2.5 to 15 grams of hydrolyzed collagen peptides daily is a safe and efficient way to lose weight. Another recommendation is to aim for 20g of collagen foods daily.
Has Anyone Experienced Side Effects When Taking Collagen Pills?
No, there haven’t been many adverse effects besides a feeling of heaviness in your stomach. Always check the ingredient list on the label closely if you’re susceptible to allergies. Also, collagen supplements might contain heavy metals, like cadmium and some microbial contaminants. However, no severe side effects have been reported by anyone who has used collagen supplements.
How Long Does It Take to See Weight Loss Results with Collagen?
How long it takes to see weight loss results really depends on each person, genetics, body weight, etc. But, ideally, it may take up to four months to see results. For the best results, combining supplement use with a healthy diet and exercise is best.
It would also be best to be consistent with your use of collagen supplements. If you want the greatest results, make them part of your daily routine. Every day is an opportunity to see you achieve weight loss goals with the best collagen supplements.
Does Collagen Melt Body Fat?
Though collagen can’t make body fat disappear overnight, it can aid in weight loss and healing after exercise in many ways. We’ve talked about some of those ways, including keeping you feeling fuller for longer, decreasing cravings, reducing joint pain, and helping build healthy muscle mass. These benefits, combined with a healthy diet and exercise, can help you shed that body fat.
Can Collagen Be Gotten from Fruits?
No, fruits don’t contain collagen. But they do help the body produce it through vitamin C. Fruits high in vitamin C, like oranges, grapefruits, kiwis, and papayas, can help your body make more collagen. This happens because the body uses vitamin C to synthesize pro-collagen, the precursor to collagen.
Similar to citrus fruits, berries are also high in vitamin C and can help your body boost the production of collagen. So, while fruits themselves don’t have collagen, eating certain fruits will help your body make more of it.
Can Collagen Help with Body Management?
One of the most notable benefits of collagen is that it can help you control your weight. The amino acid glycine can help. Glycine works by converting glucose into energy, which aids muscle development. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, having more lean muscle tissue automatically raises your metabolism.
How Long Do Collagen Peptides Last?
Collagen starts to show effects after about 6–8 weeks. Human studies using collagen peptides demonstrated beneficial effects after six weeks of treatment. If your health doesn’t improve, you should only change the brand or dose after consulting your physician.
Is Heat Bad for Collagen Peptides?
You may have heard that heat is terrible for collagen peptides, but heat doesn’t affect them unless it gets scorching — 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius) or more, to be precise.
When Is the Right Age to Start Taking Collagen Supplements?
It is thought that a person should start taking collagen supplements between the ages of 20 and 25. But supplementing soon after the body’s natural collagen levels decline could be a sensible action.
At What Age Does Collagen Start to Decline in The Body?
Your natural amounts of collagen eventually begin to decline with age. This often begins in your mid-to-late twenties and decreases by about one percent yearly. Therefore, it’s a good idea to think about collagen support as soon as possible before your body’s levels become too low.
Where is the Best Place to Buy Collagen Peptides?
The nutraceutical company, The Root Brands, offers a variety of supplements to support health and well-being. But two of our products stand out in their power to support weight loss and muscle growth: Crush and Sculpt.
Sculpt
Sculpt was designed to assist the body in healthy weight management by using a combination of natural nutrients and minerals that help reduce appetite and boost fat burning. Ingredients like:
Gymnema Sylvestre can help fight sugar cravings, lower blood sugar levels, and improve cholesterol levels.
Panax notoginseng has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and can also regulate blood sugar.
Astragalus membranaceus powder can help reduce joint pain and improve heart health.
White kidney beans are packed with fiber and protein, helping you stay fuller for longer.
Crush
Alongside Sculpt, Crush can support weight loss by assisting you in muscle building and exercise recovery. Have you ever felt sluggish during your workout? Or unable to do much exercise the day after an intense workout? Using nine essential amino acids, like L-Leucine and L-Lysine, and four branched-chain amino acids, Crush can improve your exercise recovery and build healthy muscle development.
Together, these products can offer you the benefits found in collagen peptides while managing a healthy lifestyle and supporting your overall well-being.