Does Collagen Help With Joint Pain?

Collagen supplements have many different uses. While most people consider collagen a dietary supplement for beauty and skin health, it can actually help with several issues in other parts of your body. One of these issues is your joint health. From aches and pains to more severe issues like rheumatoid arthritis, there are a lot of things that can affect your overall joint health. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and it's formed through chains of amino acids. These amino acids act as building blocks. Collagen can be found in our connective tissues, tendons, skin, and bones. As a supplement, it comes in several varieties. These types of collagen include collagen peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, collagen protein, and more. When we age, our natural collagen production begins to decline. This is why we encounter issues such as loss of skin elasticity, joint discomfort, poor bone health, and other related problems. This is where collagen supplementation and eating more collagen-rich foods comes into play. By doing these things, you can help to remedy the aforementioned problems we discussed. One issue that there is promising research for is the use of collagen for joint health. While there's still more research that needs to be done to prove concretely that collagen has an effect on joint health, there's reason to believe it can greatly improve issues related to your joints, along with a wide variety of other health problems. Read on to find out how collagen can help heal your joints, and which type of supplement you should be taking to accomplish this. 

WHICH TYPE OF COLLAGEN IS BEST FOR JOINTS?

The great thing about collagen is just how versatile it is. Taking it for one issue may also help to take care of other problems as well. Most collagen is interchangeable, as long as it is a clean, premium product. Since it is derived from animals, it's important to choose a supplement that's non-gmo or organic. This way, you can ensure there are no contaminants such as hormones. Also, look at the ingredients list. If there are additives such as sugar, your supplement will not be as effective. When it comes to your joints, most collagen supplements can help. There is not a specific type for joints. 

IS COLLAGEN GOOD FOR JOINT PAIN?

Yes, collagen can be good for joint pain. As we age, the decrease in our natural collagen is one of the causes of joint pain, inflammation, soreness, and more serious problems like arthritis. It's important to be proactive about these issues, and start to increase the amount of collagen-rich foods you consume. Taking a supplement can also help to boost your natural collagen production and alleviate symptoms caused by the depletion of collagen. 

HOW MUCH COLLAGEN DO YOU NEED A DAY FOR JOINTS?

Depending on the supplement you get, you should be taking around 12-15 grams of collagen each day in order to start seeing results. It's important to note that every supplement is different, and you should go by the recommended dose on whichever product you are taking. If you want to see results, you should take the recommended dose daily for a few weeks. Every body is different, though, and it could take you more or less time than this to start seeing results. The visible effects of collagen you might see are skin hydration,  increased muscle mass, lessening of fine lines, and strengthened hair and nails. Internally, you may have improved gut health, strengthened connective tissues, relief from achy joints, and strengthened bones. The health benefits you receive depend on the amount of collagen you take, and how consistent you are with taking it. It also depends on your individual body and how well it responds to the supplement.

IS COLLAGEN BETTER THAN GLUCOSAMINE?

Collagen and glucosamine are different supplements. Collagen is made from the skin and bones of cows, chickens, pigs, or fish. Glucosamine is either made from the shell on shellfish, or in a lab. In the body, collagen is found in our skin, connective tissues, tendons, and cartilage. Glucosamine is found primarily in our cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions joints. So, the main differences are that collagen is found in more places in the body (and serves more functions), and as a supplement it is made from a larger variety of animals. There are different forms of glucosamine, such as glucosamine sulfate and N-acetyl glucosamine. They are not interchangeable as supplements, because they have different uses. Again, this differs from collagen, because collagen supplements are interchangeable. Some evidence shows that glucosamine sulfate can provide pain relief for osteoarthritis. Other research suggests that glucosamine hydrochloride may reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.