Collagen is deemed to be the secret weapon to eternal youth but it also plays a significant role in maintaining and optimising the health of your bones.
Collagen promotes youthful radiance and is crucial for maintaining firm skin, lean muscle, strong nails and healthy hair, but it’s essential for maintaining far more than your cosmetic appearance. Your entire body depends on collagen for its structural strength and functioning. Collagen is an essential component of healthy bones.
Bone health and strength are associated with an active life. Collagen and calcium are the primary components of bones, responsible for their tensile strength and flexibility.
With all the information available and different collagen types, it can be challenging to know where to start. We’ve done in-depth research, so you don’t have to. Find out how collagen supplements can benefit your bone health.
What is the importance of collagen for bone health?
There are at least 16 collagen types in your body, but around 85% of the collagen found in your body consists of types I, II and III. Types I and III collagen are the most abundant proteins in the body. Organic Bone Mass is 90% Type I collagen. The most abundant source of bioidentical type I collagen peptides is our marine collagen. Type I collagen peptides are responsible for keeping fine lines and sagging skin at bay, but their most important job is to maintain lean muscle and build strong, healthy bones. Only Type II collagen found only in your joint cartilage is responsible for delivering its tensile strength and toughness. It works with your immune system to promote bone strength, and improve joint function, comfort and mobility. Without healthy cartilage, ligaments and tendons joint mobility would become painful, and freedom of movement would become limited.
What happens when your bones don’t receive enough collagen?
When you’re young, your body produces substantial amounts of collagen. But from the age of 25, it starts to decrease by 1% each year. This percentage accelerates over the age of 40, by the time you are 50, you will have lost 50% of your native collagen production.
A lack of collagen can lead to the onset of:
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Autoimmune induced joint problems
Collagen depletion is a natural part of your ageing process and results in the visible and degenerative signs of ageing. An even greater rate of decline can be as a result of environmental pollution, excessive sugar consumption, processed foods, smoking and alcohol consumption.
Benefits of supplementing with collagen to build stronger bones:
1. Improve Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
Bone mineral density (BMD) is a physical measure of bone density. BMD indicates the strength of your bones and is used to test for conditions such as osteopenia, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Osteopenia is an indication that your bones are weaker than average but not that they will necessarily break so easily. Osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that is known to cause joint stiffness, pain and reduced joint mobility.
As you age and collagen levels and therefore, bone mass decrease naturally. Low bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with the onset of osteoporosis and weak bones which can result in an increased risk of bone fractures.
Research shows that daily supplementation with collagen may improve your bone mineral density (BMD). A study concluded that post-menopausal women who took collagen daily for 12 months experienced a significant increase in bone mineral density During menopause, a drop in bone density is often exacerbated by a decrease in the hormone estrogen.
2. Collagen is the primary building block of bones
Collagen is the most abundant and prolific protein in your body and represents 90% of your total organic bone mass. It’s a unique building block composed of vital amino acids that provide strength and structural support to our skin, hair, nails, tendons, muscles, ligaments and bones.
To maintain optimal bone health and strength, you must maintain a healthy level of BMD. Evidence suggests that taking (Type I) hydrolysed collagen peptides can boost calcium absorption, improve bone mineral density and maintain bone strength.
3. Type II Collagen Stimulates Cartilage Growth
The natural ageing process and repeated movement over time wear your joint cartilage away, causing ligaments and tendons to stretch and your bones to rub together, causing pain.
Lost or depleted collagen can easily be restored by taking collagen supplements to help promote healthy bones and protect cartilage.
One 24-week study investigated the effects of supplementing with hydrolysed collagen on 97 athletes. Those who took collagen experienced a significant reduction in joint pain and were better able to engage in physical activities than those who did not take it. It also supported a further risk reduction in age-related joint deterioration by high-risk groups.
The research found that adults with progressive osteoarthritis who took type II collagen powder for 70 days experienced a significant reduction in joint-related pain with enhanced joint mobility and comfort. In conclusion, Collagen supplements appear to be effective at managing osteoarthritis-associated symptoms.
4. Collagen Helps Prevent Bone Loss
Just as your collagen levels deteriorate as you age, so does your bone mineral density (BMD). Scientific research suggests that collagen may not only increase bone density but, prevent bone loss in the first place. Research indicates that pure hydrolysed collagen powder may help to inhibit bone deterioration that leads to osteoporosis.
Menopause can also increase the risk of you developing osteoporosis. Another study found that a dietary collagen supplement taken with vitamin D reduced bone loss in postmenopausal women and supports the use of collagen supplements to prevent bone loss and improve bone mineral density (BMD).
The Takeaway
Even though collagen protein naturally occurs in your body, collagen supplements are recommended to ensure you replenish and restore optimal collagen levels. All MojoMe premium collagen powders are 100% pure, ethically sourced and filler-free.
Whether you’re looking to boost your collagen intake to restore optimal bone health or its skin-boosting and youthful radiance benefits, you can easily incorporate one or more collagen types into your daily routine.