Collagen: The Unsung Hero for Skin, Joints & Recovery

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go in health and fitness. But collagen? This one’s worth your attention. Let’s break it down.

👉 What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Think of it as the glue that holds us together — it’s found in your skin, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments. As we age, our body produces less collagen. That’s when we start noticing things like joint pain, wrinkles, and slower recovery.

🔬 How Collagen Supplements Work

Collagen supplements typically come in hydrolyzed form (aka peptides), making them easier to absorb and mix in your drinks. While the body breaks most proteins down into amino acids, collagen peptides seem to deliver key compounds — like hydroxyproline — that may actually make it to your skin and joints.

💥 The Real Benefits

Here’s what the research (and clinical trials) say about consistent collagen use:

• Wrinkle Reduction: Type I and III collagen (like Verisol) can reduce crow’s feet by up to 20% in 8 weeks.

• Improved Skin Elasticity: Particularly for women over 50.

• Joint Health: Type II collagen, even in small doses like 10 mg (UC-II), has shown reduced stiffness and pain in people with osteoarthritis and joint discomfort.

• Tendon Support: Collagen paired with rehab exercises helped athletes return to running post-injury.

• Bone Strength: A 12-month study showed 5g/day of collagen increased spinal bone density by 3%.

• Wound Healing: Research supports improved recovery from burns and ulcers.

• Blood Sugar: Marine collagen may improve insulin resistance and lower HbA1c in type 2 diabetics.

• Fatigue: Some people report improved energy when taking collagen consistently.

💡 Chris’s Pro Tips

• Start with 5g/day for skin or bone health. For joints, try UC-II (40 mg/day).

• Consistency matters — give it 8–12 weeks minimum before judging results.

• Watch your source — if you avoid pork or beef, opt for marine collagen.

• No such thing as vegan collagen — but you can support your body’s own collagen production with nutrients like vitamin C, glycine, and proline.

• Add collagen to coffee or smoothies — unflavored peptides (like those from Gelita) mix well without a weird taste.

⚠️ Side Notes

• Side effects are rare but can include upset stomach or mild rash.

• Not all collagen products are equal. Look for third-party tested brands that disclose sourcing.

• If you’re already using a quality moisturizer, don’t expect dramatic skin changes unless you combine it with collagen internally.