Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body (over 90%) and stronger than steel by weight.
Its inimitable strength is one of the reasons why collagen is an important building block for bones, tendons, ligaments and joints that support the body acting as its structural scaffold.
Collagen levels drop naturally as we age, but it’s also possible to have too little collagen as a result of a poor diet.
Alongside a healthy diet including all the major nutrient groups, and ensuring adequate rest is included, a growing body of evidence suggests that supplementing with collagen can help aid the body’s ability to repair from injury and speed up recovery times making it an ideal workout partner when looking at how best to supplement your fitness and wellbeing regimen.
This is how.
Reducing injury
Injuries are not just painful but they also slow you and your performance down. Of course, prevention is better than cure, and avoiding injury in the first place would be the ultimate goal.
But this isn’t always possible and most people who either work out or train regularly get injured at some point.
Overdoing it can lead to muscles and joints suffering from overuse, resulting in injury. But there is also evidence to suggest that collagen production degradation in the body is a contributory factor in sports related injury.
So as well as ensuring you take adequate rest periods between gym sessions, classes and training, it may also be beneficial to supplement with collagen.
Some studies have shown that collagen supplementation actually increases the diameter of tendons in joints.
One study in particular looked at athletes and their ankles. The athletes were given collagen supplements or a placebo for six months.
Those with the supplement had significantly lower rates of ankle injuries.
Repairs & restores
The high amino acid content of collagen protein makes collagen ideal for muscle repair and recovery.
Supplementing with collagen may help muscle repair, making it essential post-workout nutrition. Reducing joint pain
Collagen is an important component of cartilage, the tissue that cushions and supports joints.
As we get older this tissue wears down. This process is often accelerated in those who work out or train a lot. As the cartilage wears away, this can lead to joint pain and arthritis.
While most people tend to think of joint supplements as being reserved for older people with arthritis, a study of collagen supplements in young athletes found the supplements significantly improved joint pain at rest, while walking, on standing, on carrying and on lifting compared to placebo.
This effect was more marked among people who had knee pain when the study started. If you are prone to joint problems or other people in your family have osteoarthritis, you might want to consider taking supplements to prevent rather than treat joint issues.
Boosting muscle mass
Our muscle mass plays an important role when it comes to fitness as when the muscle mass increases, not only does performance improve, but also the faster the body is able to burn energy/calories.
Although there isn’t a wealth of research on the subject, initial studies have shown that consuming collagen supplements increased muscle growth and strength in people with age-related muscle mass loss.
Supplementing with collagen powders is increasing in popularity and Google searches for collagen were up by 200% as consumers are turning to collagen formulations to support their bodies and fitness regimens.
Best-selling collagen brand LQ Collagen have launched two new high-strength collagen powder ranges in delicious new flavours to the market that are designed to be a versatile way to support joint health whilst living an active lifestyle. Available from www.lqcollagen.com.