The importance of a partner in the gym cannot be overstated. Even Arnold needed a Franco Columbu. But not all of us need that kind of training, we are happy to have someone or something that can get us the best out of every workout. And in that context, collagen is normally considered a strange choice. Because you are most likely to hear about collagen in relation to skincare.

However, an interesting addition to collagen benefits is its effect on endurance. This is due to the fact collagen in our skin gives us strength and flexibility. Our body naturally produces collagen but with age collagen production naturally declines. A direct result of this is the appearance of wrinkles and saggy skin, joint pain, stiffer tendons and ligaments, and weaker muscles.

Earlier, you only had to rely on diet to try and fill this gap but thanks to scientific advancement, we can fulfil our collagen requirement using collagen supplements. These supplements can not only help us look more youthful but also make our muscles stronger.

To know how that works, one must remember what collagen essentially is. Collagen is the most common protein in the human body that provides structure and elasticity in muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues. It is hydrolysed and turned into peptides for supplements to make it easier to absorb and digest. 

Collagen could be a vital part of your pre-workout fuel as it has naturally occurring amino acids, glycine and arginine. And these are of great importance for their role in the secretion of growth hormone. Furthermore, collagen forms the key building block of creatine and aid in increasing nitric oxide.

When you head to the gym, you want that little push to achieve targets you earlier couldn’t. Collagen could help you do just that. Researchers have suggested that taking collagen may promote the synthesis of muscle proteins and stimulate muscle growth after exercise.  Some studies even suggest that collagen supplements help enhance muscle mass in people with sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass that happens with age.

Collagen’s role in muscle repair

Collagen has been shown to exert an anabolic effect on cartilage tissue. That is, it promotes growth, suggesting it can not only support muscle growth post workout, but also healthy joints, tendons and ligaments. Research shows that collagen peptide supplementation in athletes with chronic ankle instability results in significant improvements in subjectively perceived ankle stability. The reduction in the re-injury rate of ankle sprains in the follow-up period was also very convincing for the benefits of collagen.

While we are looking at the benefits, let’s not forget that every coin has two sides. Collagen supplements too come with some side effects, such as a bad taste in the mouth, heartburn, and fullness. Further, if you have allergies, make sure you purchase supplements that aren’t made from collagen sources you’re allergic to.

Finally, when it comes to dosage, it’s worth noting that powdered supplement packaging often suggests taking 1–2 scoops (or tablespoons) daily, while a pill or gummy supplement may recommend 1–2 pieces. Depending on the supplement, these servings can vary significantly in collagen content, so one must check the nutrition facts label for detailed dosage information.

All said and done, in a changing world full of evolving habits, supplements are a great way to make up for nutritional deficiencies. Collagen supplements can be useful in improving health, supporting fitness and athletic performance. But never forget what supplements are – supplementary items to your diet. A poor diet is a road to disaster. So, as far as possible, have a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and consume the right supplements to unlock your true potential.

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Renew + Repair

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