5 Reasons to Use Hydrolyzed Collagen

Hydrolyzed collagen supplements have become popular for supporting healthy looking skin, joint health, and more! Learn more here.

You’ve probably seen plenty of products on the market that tout the potential benefits of collagen. Between skin creams, hydrolyzed collagen, and proteins and powders, there are lots of ways to increase your collagen intake. The only problem is, sometimes all of these products can get confusing!

The first step to using collagen supplements is understanding a few of the different types and how they are used. Collagen is a type of protein found in animal products (such as poultry, fish, eggs, and animal byproducts) and some other foods. Collagen is considered a complex protein, because it’s formed from 19 amino acids. These amino acids create chains that are wound together to form a triple helix.

Hydrolyzed collagen (also called collagen hydrolysate or collagen peptides) is a fragmented form of collagen protein. While hydrolyzed collagen has the same amino acid profile as collagen protein, it has a light molecular weight that makes it easier to digest. Hydrolyzed collagen comes in a powder form that can be added to food and drinks, or broken down into capsule form. Because it is a fragmented protein, it doesn’t gel when it’s added to liquid. For this reason, hydrolyzed collagen is often added to smoothies and juices because it doesn’t typically impact the texture. Many liquid collagen products offer these same features.

Collagen protein is another way to supplement your collagen intake. This type of protein often comes in a gelatin or powder form. Because its molecular weight is heavier than hydrolyzed collagen, it tends to thicken foods or liquids. It’s common to use this type of collagen protein as a thickener in soups, sauces, and gravies.

Why Use Hydrolyzed Collagen?

Like other forms of collagen protein, hydrolyzed collagen can help increase your collagen intake and raise our collagen levels. This is important, as collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It is found in the skin, hair, nails, connective tissue, blood vessels, and organs.

Unfortunately, aging and lifestyle factors such as smoking, sun exposure, and an unhealthy diet can cause collagen levels to decrease. Here are five reasons to use hydrolyzed collagen in order to improve your collagen intake:

1. Healthier-looking skin. As we age, collagen levels decline and so does the elasticity in our skin. This can lead to wrinkles and a rough appearance. Studies have shown that hydrolyzed collagen can promote skin elasticity. Check out our article for more solutions to dry skin!
2. Temporarily ease joint pain. Have you noticed any cracking and popping in your joints as you age? This can be a side effect of decreased collagen levels. Ingesting more collagen may promote joint health by keeping your joints moving more easily.
3. Promote liver health. Glycine, one of the amino acids found in collagen, can help the liver process toxins, such as alcohol. It’s possible that increased collagen levels could protect the liver from damage.
4. Get an extra dose of protein. People who follow a plant-based diet may have difficulty keeping their collagen levels up. There are plant-based collagen supplements on the market that can help add protein to every meal.
5. Protect the heart. An amino acid called proline is a key component of collagen protein. Proline may help your body release fat molecules, keeping them from building up in the vascular system, which can lead to heart complications.

Get Started With Collagen Supplements

It can be difficult to navigate the wide range of collagen products on the market. Luckily, Natural Healthy Concepts makes it easy to learn about different collagen products and how they could promote healthier-looking skin, joint health, and more. Shop collagen proteins, powders, hydrolyzed collagen and other products in our online store.

When you find a product that works for you, we’d love to hear from you! Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.