Unlocking the Power of Collagen for Improved Health

• Collagen supports tissue repair and muscle growth, aiding in exercise recovery and reducing arthritis pain.
  
• Collagen promotes cardiovascular health by reducing artery stiffness and blocking harmful enzymes linked to heart disease.
  
• Collagen may replace sutures in minor surgeries due to its wound-healing properties.
  

Building Block For Muscles, Tendons and Connective Tissue

The body utilizes collagen as a fundamental building block for tissues, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. In reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, doctors often use it as a scaffold for new skin growth in patients with burns or chronic non-healing wounds.¹  

When consumed orally, collagen can have effects beyond aiding in tissue rebuilding and healing. For example, a study in Spain demonstrates that collagen from broth can contribute to a healthier heart and cardiovascular system. Spanish researchers explained that during cooking and digestion in the intestinal tract post-consumption, the collagen proteins from bones break down into smaller compounds called peptides.²

Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant and Artery Opener

These collagen-derived peptides act as antioxidants, protecting cells from damage and counteracting harmful enzyme activity linked to various diseases. In the Spanish study, researchers found that peptides from ham bones blocked enzymatic activity contributing to cardiovascular disease. Additionally, boiling bones for broth not only releases bioactive peptides from collagen but also liberates beneficial proteins from hemoglobin in ham bones. Another study in Japan discovered that taking collagen supplements twice daily, with breakfast and dinner, can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis-related blocked arteries. This six-month study also revealed that collagen supplements helped alleviate artery stiffness, a condition that can lead to heart disease.³

Supports More Weight Loss From Exercise

According to a study in Germany, another benefit of collagen is enhancing muscle building in older individuals engaging in strength training. The research involved over fifty men in their late 60s and early 70s participating in a three-month weight-lifting program. The program was significantly more effective at restoring muscle mass for those taking collagen peptide supplements compared to placebo-takers.⁴ Aside from building extra muscle, men taking collagen also shed more fat tissue than those not benefiting from collagen.

Help For Arthritis

Further research suggests that collagen may help manage osteoarthritis pain. A six-month clinical study at the University of California-Davis found that individuals with osteoarthritic knee discomfort experienced significantly less pain and improved knee function when taking collagen supplements.⁵ Other studies have echoed similar findings: A comprehensive review by Mexican scientists concluded that collagen helps alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms.⁶ It appears we've only begun to uncover the health benefits of collagen, with more positive news likely to emerge in the future.

Replacement For Sutures During Minor Surgery

Hospitals might soon utilize collagen to replace sutures. Research at George Washington University shows that applying collagen powder to a skin biopsy wound post-punch biopsy helps heal and close the wound as effectively as suturing it.⁷ If validated, this could be a groundbreaking discovery. Researchers note that collagen triggers cellular signals that control bleeding, attracts immune and skin cells to the wound for faster healing, promotes new blood vessel formation, and when applied to cuts and wounds, doesn't cause irritation or encourage bacterial growth. "Using topical collagen powder for punch biopsy wounds may be more convenient for patients, eliminating the need for suture removal and potentially offering a better wound healing outcome," says researcher Adam Friedman.  

If you wish to prepare collagen-rich bone broth, many bone broth enthusiasts recommend cooking the bones for approximately twenty hours or more. Online recipes are available for cooking bones in a pressure cooker or instant pot in as little as three hours. Prefer a ready-made option? You can purchase collagen supplements or bone broth at supermarkets or health food stores.

Collagen, commonly found in bone broth and supplements, plays a crucial role in tissue repair, muscle building, and heart health. Studies indicate that consuming collagen can enhance muscle mass, reduce wrinkles, alleviate arthritis pain, and decrease heart disease risk by lowering artery stiffness. It also aids weight loss when combined with exercise. Moreover, collagen's healing properties suggest it could potentially replace sutures in minor surgeries in the future.