What Is The Benefit Of Taking Collagen Supplements Orally?

Collagen is a compound naturally synthesized by your body that consists of various proteins. It plays an essential role in the structure of connective tissues, such as skin, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Collagen can be extracted from animal sources and placed in oral supplement capsules for their reported health benefits, according to the book, "Nutrition for Health, Fitness, and Sport." Nutritional supplements are not meant to cure or prevent any disease, so talk with your doctor before using collagen supplements if you suffer from a medical condition.

Arthritis

Taking oral collagen supplements helps alleviate some of the symptoms of arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, a type of chronic inflammatory condition that causes inflammation of your joints and surrounding tissues. According to ArthritisMD.com, people who suffer from chronic arthritis have lower levels of collagen in their joints due to the destruction of collagen caused by inflammation. Oral collagen supplementation helps prevent your immune system from destroying your body's natural collagen. By having enough collagen in your body, you can alleviate joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

Skin Conditions

Oral collagen supplements help clear up your skin, reducing the appearance of acne, eczema, and even minor cuts and scars. Collagen is needed by your skin for the normal regeneration of healthy skin tissues, and taking collagen supplements can increase your body's ability to build new skin cells. According to a 2002 article published in the "Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism," short-term oral collagen supplementation is effective and safe for the treatment of severe acne in teenagers and adolescents.

Aging

As you get older, your body produces less and less collagen, which not only increases your risk for developing various arthritic conditions, but it can also cause wrinkles and contribute to the visible signs of aging. Collagen supplements for aging typically come in a cream that is applied directly to your skin. However, a 2010 study published in the "Journal of Food Science" found that oral collagen supplementation improved the collagen content and appearance of skin in aged rats, which may have human considerations as well.

Safety

According to SkinCareGuide.com, collagen supplements have been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in 1999 and are generally recognized as safe. Oral collagen supplements are derived from animal sources, which may cause an allergic reaction in some people who may be hypersensitive to various animal products, especially shellfish. The risk of a collagen overdose is low due to the water-solubility of collagen, meaning any collagen that your body does not use is excreted by your body.