What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Collagen Pills?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and comprises connective tissues, including skin, tendons, fascia, cartilage and ligaments. Collagen pills contain proteins from animal sources such as shellfish, cows and pigs, and is used for its potential health benefits. Talk with your doctor before using any supplements containing collagen to make sure you are healthy enough to use it as a nutritional supplement.

Heart Health

Collagen may play a key role in the health and maintenance of cardiac tissue and is considered an important indicator of overall heart health and function, according to the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology." Low collagen levels in your body, especially your heart, have been linked to transformations in cardiac tissue that may cause a weakening of your heart muscles. Weakened heart muscles may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Skin Health

According to the book "Today's Herbal Health: The Essential Reference Guide," supplementation with collagen pills increases the amount of serum collagen that circulates throughout your bloodstream, which can make its way toward the outermost layers of your skin through your capillaries. Once in your skin, collagen may have a reparative effect, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and making your skin look younger and healthier. Supplementation with collagen pills may enhance the recovery of some scrapes, scratches and cuts by generating new skin cells in damaged areas on the surface of your skin.

Joint Health

According to a 2009 study published in the "International Journal of Medical Sciences," oral collagen supplementation may improve some of the symptoms associated with joint conditions such as arthritis and osteoarthritis. These chronic inflammatory conditions that affect your joints and bones can cause debilitating pain and a loss of joint mobility. Collagen supplementation may reduce inflammation surrounding your joints, which can improve your range of motion and quality of life if you suffer from arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Toxicity

According to the "Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements," the Food and Drug Administration considers oral collagen supplements as generally recognized as safe, or GRAS. However, some may be hypersensitive to collagen supplements based on the source of the collagen contained within the manufactured product. If you have an allergy to shellfish, you may also experience an allergic reaction to collagen supplements derived from shellfish. Most, but not all, manufacturers list the animal source of the collagen on the product label, which can help identify a potential allergen.