Benefits of Collagen
Recovering with Collagen Protein
In February, I wrote a post about Vital Proteins Collagen and my experience with them. At the time, I was not an ambassador. Vital Proteins sent me samples to try, and I liked them so much I continued to buy them.
As I mentioned on Instagram on Friday, I was invited to become a Vital Proteins Ambassador. I’ve already been using Vital Proteins for months now, and I find I genuinely recover faster and feel better than if I don’t. Usually, I have one serving twice a day. Before becoming an ambassador, I purchased the Vital Proteins dark chocolate and blackberry peptides which is my current favorite!
Keep in mind these statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. Vital Proteins products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
As part of my partnership with Vital Proteins, I’ll write a couple of posts per month about different benefits or recipes I’m using. I’m not being paid to do so, but I do receive products. Thinking out loud, since I use the products already, it’s a good fit for me.
So What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the connective tissue in the body. Since it’s a structure protein, it’s an essential component of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Vital Proteins Collagen also contains essential amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. It’s the building blocks of almost everything in our body.
Collagen was best explained to me as the glue and connective tissue that holds everything together. Our bodies already produce collagen from amino acids, but it is beneficial to supplement.
What Makes Collagen Peptides Different?
Vital Protein Collagen Peptides have the added benefit of providing 18 g of collagen protein. I’ve personally found my body recovers much better when I have protein after a run or workout. Plus by using collagen products, and collagen protein powders, I’ve found many beauty benefits with hair, nails and skin.
How Can Collagen Powders Help Running Performance?
Since this is a “running focused” blog, the first post will focus on running and working out. New research shows collagen can help decrease joint pain that is often associated with high impact exercise.
Long-term strenuous exercise like running leads to collagen degradation in the body. We naturally lose collagen as we age but running and other high impact sports can quicken this. It’s not an overnight occurrence and the degradation of collagen is a slow process. It usually takes years. Like a stress fracture, it takes time and isn’t an issue that just ‘pops up”. That is why anyone running for years may have the same collagen issues.
Collagens Promotes a Healthy Response to Natural Inflammation:
Running stresses your body, which causes inflammation. Taking Collagen or any protein directly after a workout helps to promote inflammation and speed up the repair of connective tissues that are damaged. When recovering, collagen helps to promote the “good” inflammation. I personally do feel and recover better on days I do have collagen within 30 minutes of working out.
Promoting Joint Health:
In the running world, it’s not uncommon to hear runners and athletes talk about “bone on bone.” This means they’ve lost the cartilage in their knees. Losing all of the cartilage in your knees is from years of wear and tear on your body and joints.
How does Collagen Help Joints?
- Increases lubrication around joints to make more mobile
- Helps to increase bone density (A BIG ONE FOR RUNNERS!)
- Reduces inflammation around joints and improves healing of connective tissues
Throughout the upcoming months, I’ll be sharing more about my experience with Vital Proteins collagen I’ve personally had including benefits in my skin, nails, and hair. I’ll also share recipes I have been using and my favorite products. There aren’t any side effects from taking “too much collagen”.
I am so excited to be an ambassador for Vital Proteins because I stand behind each of their products and company.
Questions for you:
Do you take any supplements?
Have you ever tried a collagen supplement?