Collagen Supplements: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

What is collagen and why is everyone talking about it? 

Collagen is an essential protein that is found in the human body. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining healthy joints and retaining the natural beauty of the skin. It is also the most abundant protein in the human body. 

However, as the body grows older the body’s ability to produce collagen naturally decreases. This is why collagen supplements have become increasingly popular in India as well as other countries. People have started using collagen tablets for skin and hair as well as collagen powders for various benefits. They can be a valuable addition to your daily routine, and can be added to your diet seamlessly. 

There’s other reasons why collagen can be reduced in your body: sugar, sunlight and smoking. Too much exposure to ultraviolet light can lead to sun damage, which can ultimately lead to wrinkles. Many of the chemicals in cigarette smoke can also damage collagen, leading to saggy and wrinkly skin. Sugar can also cause collagen fibers to tangle, resulting in skin that looks less elastic over time. 

Introduction to Collagen Supplements:

There’s a wide variety of collagen supplements that are available in the offline and online market. Some people use collagen builder capsules or tablets for skin whitening, while some use collagen tablets for their skin and hair. It depends entirely on your needs and desired outcome from taking the supplement. 

There are at least 16 types of collagen, but the majority in the human body are type I, II and III. It’s a good idea to check the supplement for what type of collagen it is carrying, so you can get the best outcome from its use. For example, if you need collagen tablets for skin whitening, but end up buying collagen for hair growth capsules, you’re not going to see any positive outcome. 

Type I : Most abundant and found in skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. 

Type II: Useful for good joint health.

Type III: Present in the skin and blood vessels. 

Sources of Collagen Supplements

There’s different types of sources for collagen, depending on what type of collagen is to be added to the supplement. 

Bovine collagen supplements: These primarily consist of type I and type III collagen. Bovine collagen supplements are usually sourced from cows. Collagen tablets for skin and hair would usually be this type of supplement. 

Marine collagen supplements: These are rich in type I collagen. Marine collagen supplements are usually sourced from fish. Some of the best collagen powders in India would usually be this type of supplement. 

Porcine collagen supplements: Similar to bovine collagen supplements, these are mainly sourced from pigs.

Vegan collagen supplements: These supplements don’t contain actual collagen, but are made up of vitamins and aminos that may support the body’s natural production. 

Forms of collagen supplements

1. Powders: Collagen powders in India are used widely. These are pretty versatile in how they can be ingested, and can be added to drinks, smoothies or foods. 
2. Capsules and Tablets: These are most commonly used. Collagen capsules for skin whitening, collagen capsules for hair growth, collagen tablets for skin and hair growth are all popular examples of collagen capsules and tablets in india. 
3. Liquids: These are often flavored and are ready to drink. 

Benefits of collagen supplements

Large-scales studies are still being conducted to confirm the benefits of collagen supplements. However, collagen peptides have shown to improve hair growth and skin elasticity and are largely considered beneficial. Current research suggests that collagen supplements offer several health benefits.

1. Skin health

You can choose between collagen builder capsules for skin whitening and collagen tablets for skin among the many other options. It is based on what your needs are. They are designed to improve skin hydration, elasticity and reduce wrinkles. 

1. Joint health 

There’s different supplements available for joint health as well, and are designed to reduce joint pain and stiffness. 

1. Bone health 

Some collagen supplements are designed to support bone density and strength.

1. Hair health

Supplements like collagen tablets for hair and collagen for hair growth capsules among many others are designed to promote stronger and healthier hair.

Things to consider

There’s certain things you should consider before buying any collagen supplement. Don’t just pick up the one that is advertised as the best collagen powder in India. Pick one up that suits your needs and ticks the boxes mentioned below:

1. Providers: Ensure that the providers are reputable. Always check sites like YourHappyLife, Flipkart and Amazon for your collagen supplements. 
2. Purity: Ensure that there’s minimum additives in the product. 
3. Certification: Only buy the products that have been third-party verified and tested.

While collagen supplements are generally quite safe to use, in the rarest of cases some people might face certain side effects. It’s best to take any supplement in moderation. Start off slow with smaller amounts and then increase the dosage up to what is considered normal. As a general practice, it’s always best to consult your family doctor or preferred health professional before starting any supplement. It’s always better to be safe, as they say!