Collagen Supplements - Do They Help You Lose Weight, Reduce Joint Pain and Improve Your Skin?

Manufacturers claim that collagen supplements can help you lose weight, build muscle, burn fat (in your sleep), improve joint function and improve the appearance of your skin. On what do they base these claims? Here are the facts.

Collagens are proteins found throughout the human body in tendons, joints, fibers and the dermis layer of the skin. They are not "complete" proteins, because they do not provide all of the essential amino acids, as, say, an egg would.

When a protein supplement or an egg hits your digestive system, it will be broken down into its component amino acids, which the body will use to make hormones, cells, fibers or for any other necessary purpose. The vital organs will always get first choice for cellular repair or replacement.

The claims made by manufacturers of collagen supplements are based on the idea that you might not be getting enough protein in your diet. And that can cause a variety of problems.

They were originally manufactured for body-builders and other "pros" who needed an easy way to get more protein without greatly increasing caloric content. Manufacturers have come up with better choices for protein supplementation since that time. Whey protein, for example, contains a wider variety of essential amino acids.

Some studies suggest that collagen supplements suppress the appetite, but that is simply because protein is satisfying. There really isn't much evidence to support the claims made concerning joint function.

A better choice for reducing pain in the joints is an omega3 supplement because it has anti-inflammatory activity. Omega3s have also been shown to improve the skin's firmness after several months of supplementation. But truthfully, increasing the intake of any nutrient that is missing from your diet can improve the way that you look and feel.

As far as the skin's appearance goes, there is no evidence to support the claims made by some supplement manufacturers. Yes, there is clinical evidence supporting the use of nourishing creams on a regular basis. If it contains the right ingredients, it can improve moisture content and firmness; reduce wrinkles and fine lines; reduce inflammation and the redness that may accompany it; stimulate the production of new cells and act as an antioxidant.

Those claims are based on results from clinical studies in which researchers measured all of those different things, using human volunteers. If you care about getting the best value for your money, then collagen supplements are not the best choice for improving the skin's appearance or delaying the affect that the sun, pollution, air and just plain time have on your skin.

Antioxidants are far more effective for those purposes. All of the damage that you see on the surface starts out on a molecular level, when free radical molecules become frenzied and start attacking healthy cells. Antioxidant molecules neutralize free radicals, preventing the damage. Some antioxidants can even repair damage that has already occurred.

Now you know the facts about collagen supplements and you know that there are better choices for any purpose, but particularly for the skin.