Collagen is the structural protein that connects skin and other parts of the body. It begins to deteriorate over time, which gradually leads to a number of health concerns. After the age of 40, signs of collagen deficiencies begin to become more noticeable. Collagen accounts for 30% of the cells in our body, so it can cause a lot of problems as it begins to decline. Here are some signs that you may be experiencing a collagen deficiency and may need to seek treatment.
Joint Pain
Collagen plays an important role in joint function. As it begins to deteriorate, it minimizes the flaccidity of your joints. This can lead to excessive friction, which can gradually turn into arthritis.
A 2000 study from Case Western Reserve University, Division of Rheumatic Diseases found that collagen supplements can play an important role in reversing joint pain and slowing the progression of arthritis.
Wrinkling
Wrinkles are a natural symptom of aging. They are caused when collagen stores start to become depleted, causing the skin to lose some of its structure. Fortunately, new research suggests that wrinkling caused by declining collagen levels can be reversed, provided you take the right collagen supplements. One study shows that these supplements can boost collagen levels by up to 65%. “Is this just the latest version of hope in a jar, albeit a vitamin jar? Brand-new clinical research seems to indicate that there’s something real to those claims. In a large double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in early 2014, women took 2.5 g of a particular hydrolyzed collagen peptide (brand name Verisol) once a day; after 8 weeks, researchers measured a 20% reduction in wrinkle depth around the women’s eyes.”
Aching Muscles
Collagen also plays an important role in binding muscles to bones and ligaments. As collagen fibers begin to weaken, it can weaken the connection to these structures, which can lead to additional friction and aching muscles
Blood Pressure Problems
The walls of your blood vessels are made up of collagen. As it begins to deteriorate as you age, it may be more difficult for your body to regulate blood flow. You will begin to experience a number of symptoms associated with abnormal blood pressure, such as:
- Frequent headaches
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
While most people take collagen supplements to deal with aesthetic problems caused by aging, abnormal blood pressure is arguably one of the most serious problems caused by weakened collagen. It can noticeably reduce the quality of your life if the proper treatment isn’t received. The American Heart Association reports that low collagen levels are typically associated with low blood pressure. This means that patients can rectify low blood pressure problems with collagen supplements. However, patients should follow collagen therapies carefully under the supervision of a trained healthcare provider, because they can develop high blood pressure problems if they aren’t careful. The good news is that most healthcare providers know the right dosage for patients of any given body weight.
How Can You Boost Your Collagen Levels?
Declining collagen levels can cause a lot of problems as you age. These problems begin around the age of 30, but are particularly severe by 50. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways that you can reduce or even reverse the problems caused by low collagen. Here are some tips to consider. Get a Massage Massages have been shown to stimulate collagen production. Make sure that you know how get a massage on the parts of your body that are most likely to need collagen. Take Collagen Supplements Collagen supplements can also play an important role in boosting collagen levels. However, it is important to take them under the supervision of a trusted healthcare professional. Otherwise, you may encounter problems caused by having too much collagen, which can lead to heart attacks and hypertension. Increase Levels of Fatty Acids One of the reasons problems caused by low collagen are more common these days is that society has focused too heavily on reducing the consumption of fat. However, fat actually plays an important role in collagen production. Increasing consumption of it may be necessary.
