What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think of collagen? Probably hair, skin, and nail health, right? People have swarmed to collagen supplements for years to help them look more youthful. Little did they know collagen peptides should be what they were using all along.
Unfortunately, many collagen supplements these days get put under one umbrella and lumped under “collagen” as a whole. But collagen peptides are where it’s at when it comes to maximizing your results.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into collagen peptides, what they are, how they differ from your typical collagen powders, and the benefits of using a higher-quality form of collagen for your supplemental needs.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before making any changes to your nutrition or supplement regimen.
What are Collagen Peptides?
Collagen peptides are small, bioactive peptides derived from collagen. Collagen is found in connective tissues throughout the body, such as skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, helping provide you with strength, structure, and support.
Collagen peptides are produced through a process called enzymatic hydrolysis, where collagen is broken down into smaller peptide chains. This process results in the formation of higher-quality collagen peptides with a lower molecular weight, making them more easily digestible and absorbed by the body (more on this in a minute).
The unique composition of collagen peptides includes a high concentration of beneficial amino acids, particularly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids are essential for collagen synthesis, contributing to the growth, repair, and maintenance of various tissues in the body.
Due to their small size and enhanced bioavailability, collagen peptides offer many more potential health benefits than standard collagen supplements.
Collagen peptides are available in various forms, including powders, capsules, and liquids. They can be easily incorporated into foods and beverages or taken as a supplement to complement a well-balanced diet.
Why Use Collagen Peptides Over Standard Collagen Powder?
Collagen peptides are often considered superior to standard collagen supplements due to their unique properties and benefits.
Below are a few reasons why collagen peptides are recommended over your standard collagen powder:
1. Better Absorption and Bioavailability
As mentioned earlier, because collagen peptides are smaller peptide molecules than standard collagen, they are much easier to absorb and utilize by the body and dispersed out to the various tissues. Intact collagen molecules that are typically found in your normal collagen supplements have a more challenging time being broken down and absorbed by the body, which means you risk not absorbing everything and diminishing the benefits.
2. More Diverse Health Benefits
Collagen peptides provide a broader range of health benefits compared to standard collagen supplements. While both may support skin, hair, and nail health, collagen peptides have been extensively studied for their potential effects on joint health, muscle growth, bone health, and even heart health (we will touch on all these shortly).
3. Vast Research and Clinical Evidence
Collagen peptides have been the subject of numerous scientific studies, with research supporting their potential health benefits. The evidence from these studies further reinforces their effectiveness and contributes to their superior reputation as a preferred form of collagen.
The Benefits of Collagen Peptides
1. Support Muscle Growth
Collagen peptides contain many amino acids crucial in building and repairing muscle tissue. Being that collagen is a major component of connective tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and muscle fascia, the use of collagen peptides can also further stimulate the natural production of collagen in your body. By enhancing collagen synthesis, collagen peptides can help strengthen these structures, providing better support and stability to the muscles. This, in turn, can improve performance, reduce the risk of injuries, and support overall muscle growth and strength.
Additionally, collagen peptides promote bone density and strength, indirectly supporting muscle growth by providing a framework for muscle attachment and contraction.
2. Can Maintain Joint Health
If you follow supplement trends, collagen peptides have gained popularity over the years for their ability to support joint health, making them a sought-after supplement for individuals looking to improve mobility and alleviate joint discomfort.
Collagen is a major component of connective tissues, including cartilage, which helps cushion and protect your joints by supporting the structural integrity of joints. Your natural collagen production decreases as you age, leading to joint stiffness, reduced flexibility, and discomfort. Collagen peptides can help counteract these effects to improve your overall quality of life.
Furthermore, collagen peptides may improve overall joint function and flexibility. Supplementing with collagen peptides can help enhance strength and elasticity, promoting better joint stability and range of motion.
3. Aid with Skin, Hair, and Nail Health
If you’ve heard about collagen supplements, it probably revolved around this very topic. Collagen peptides have gained significant attention for their potential to support and improve the health of hair, skin, and nails. Collagen is a vital protein that provides structure and strength to these areas.
For the skin, collagen peptides help maintain its elasticity and hydration by helping retain moisture. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to the formation of wrinkles, sagging skin, and dryness. By supplementing with collagen peptides, you can support the production of new collagen in your body. This can help improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and promote a more youthful appearance.
Collagen peptides can also promote healthy hair growth and improve hair strength, which can worsen with age due to decreased collagen production. Hair follicles are surrounded by collagen, which provides structure and support. Collagen peptides can help strengthen your hair follicles by supporting collagen production, potentially reducing hair breakage and promoting healthier hair growth. Also, collagen peptides contain amino acids that are essential for building keratin, the primary protein that helps make up hair strands. This can contribute to shinier, thicker, and more resilient hair.
When it comes to nail health, collagen peptides play a role in strengthening and improving nail quality. Like your hair, your nails are composed of keratin, and collagen peptides provide the necessary amino acids for its production. Collagen peptides can help promote stronger and healthier nails by supporting collagen synthesis and reducing brittleness, peeling, and breakage.
4. May Prevent Bone Loss
Collagen peptides have been recognized for their potential in preventing bone loss and promoting bone health. Collagen is a crucial component of the extracellular matrix in bones, providing structure, strength, and flexibility. Your natural collagen production decreases as you age, contributing to potential bone loss.
Utilizing collagen peptides can help support bone health by increasing collagen synthesis. In doing this, collagen peptides can support the production of new collagen in bones, helping to maintain their overall integrity and strength.
Collagen peptides also have the potential to stimulate bone-forming cells called osteoblasts. Research suggests that collagen peptides can enhance osteoblast activity and the production of bone-building proteins, leading to increased bone mineral density and improved bone quality.
Furthermore, collagen peptides may help reduce bone resorption, the process of breaking down and reabsorbing old bone tissue. Studies have shown that collagen peptides can inhibit the activity of cells called osteoclasts, which are responsible for bone resorption. By regulating the balance between bone formation and resorption, collagen peptides can help prevent excessive bone loss and maintain bone density.
5. Contribute to Heart Health
While not one of the most talked about benefits, collagen peptides can support heart health. While research in this area is still emerging, preliminary studies suggest several potential mechanisms through which collagen peptides may support cardiovascular health.
Collagen is a key component of the blood vessels, providing structure and strength to the arteries, veins, and capillaries that make up the cardiovascular system. By maintaining the integrity and elasticity of blood vessels, collagen peptides may help support healthy blood flow and circulation.
One way collagen peptides may contribute to heart health is by promoting the synthesis of collagen and elastin in blood vessel walls. This may help strengthen the blood vessels, reduce their stiffness, and enhance their ability to expand and contract with each heartbeat, potentially supporting healthy blood pressure levels.
Additionally, collagen peptides contain specific amino acids that promote nitric oxide synthesis. Nitric oxide is a molecule that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and flexibility of blood vessels, regulating blood flow, and supporting overall cardiovascular function.
A New Revolution of Collagen Peptides
Everyone seems to claim they have the “best” collagen supplement, but that simply is a lie. Why? Because not only do they fail to use collagen peptides, but they don’t have the Supp Chef™, Jason Mancuso, CEO of Musclesport, mixing up his gourmet flavor systems that will knock your socks off.
MuscleSport Collagen Peptides is unlike any collagen supplement you’ll ever try. Not only does it utilize gourmet flavors that will leave your mouth watering, but it contains 10 grams of hydrolyzed grass-fed bovine collagen peptides.
Additionally, MuscleSport Collagen Peptides includes vitamin C to help enhance the absorption of the collagen peptides, but also to help boost your natural production of collagen. Furthermore, this delicious powder contains biotin, which helps your body metabolize amino acids and build keratin to help improve the health of hair and nails.
Unlike some collagen supplements, our collagen peptides mix quickly and effortlessly. You can use them in a traditional shake and smoothie or spruce up your favorite beverages like your morning cup of coffee (regardless of whether you enjoy it hot or cold).
With flavors like toasted almond, almond mocha bliss, Protella™, Lean charms™, unicorn cookie shake, and more, you’ll finally have a supplement you’ll look forward to taking that includes beneficial collagen peptides. Try MuscleSport Collagen Peptides today, and let us know all the fun and unique ways you enjoy it!