Once seniors reach the age of 65-70, collagen production starts to decline at about 30% per year. But, it's never too late for collagen!
Studies have shown that supplementing with collagen peptides — broken down collagen that's easier for your body to absorb — may be beneficial for older people and promote skin and bone health during aging.
It Can Help to Protect Against Bone Loss
Bones are mostly made of collagen, so when our body ages and loses collagen, bone mass and bone strength suffer. Adding in a collagen supplement, along with other bone strengthening exercises and supplements, can help to prevent bone breakage.
Production starts to dwindle in our mid-to-late 20s and early 30s and we start losing 1% of our collagen per year after that. By 40, collagen drops dramatically, leading to signs of aging such as wrinkles, skin sagging, skin drying and loss of energy.
Once seniors reach the age of 65-70, collagen production starts to decline at about 30% per year. But, it's never too late for collagen!
There's good news: there's no evidence of supplement-drug interactions between a high-protein diet (i.e., collagen supplements, including collagen sachets) and various thyroid medications.
Research suggests that collagen not only improves cholesterol balance, but also decreases total cholesterol, lowers triglycerides (fats linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease), and prevents and treats the buildup of plaque on artery walls.
Some studies show that taking collagen supplements for several months can improve skin elasticity, (i.e., wrinkles and roughness) as well as signs of aging. Others have shown that consuming collagen can increase density in bones weakened with age and can improve joint, back and knee pain.
Does Collagen Tighten Saggy Skin? Studies have indicated that supplemental collagen is beneficial for skin health, including tightening sagging skin (known as elasticity), boosting hydration, and lessening the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen prevents skin from sagging and gives it a plump, full look. Elastin helps skin return to its original shape after stretching or compressing.
So how much collagen should a 50-year-old woman take? Let's break it down. There are two forms of collagen supplements: hydrolyzed collagen and undenatured type II collagen. The recommended supplement intake of hydrolyzed collagen is 10g a day.
Collagen is a protein that makes up connective tissues, such as the skin. When you have too much collagen, your skin can stretch, thicken, and harden. It also can cause damage to internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Collagen is a structural protein of the blood vessel wall, which is normally concealed beneath the cells that line the blood vessel inner walls. When the blood vessel becomes injured, collagen is exposed and attracts cells called platelets from the blood which causes blood clotting.
Thus “too much” collagen leads to arterial stenosis, while “not enough” collagen makes atherosclerotic plaque prone to rupture.
Many of the studies available suggest that you'd be able to noticeably see improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and density anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks of regular collagen supplementation.
As such, no matter your goal for using collagen, it will take at least 8 weeks to experience noticeable results ( 6 ). Most studies use a minimum of 8 weeks to assess collagen's effects on skin health and joint pain relief, but other studies use longer periods, such as 12 months, for bone health ( 9 , 14 , 22 ).
Improvements in skin, nails, muscle and joint health may become noticeable after three to six months of regular collagen supplementation, but results varied across scientific studies. Results may take longer depending on personal factors including age, nutritional status and overall health.
Can I take collagen and vitamin D together? Yes, you can take collagen and vitamin D together. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is essential for bone health. Collagen also supports bone health by strengthening the connective tissues around your joints.
Collagen contains hydroxyproline
Several animal studies also show that consuming high amounts of hydroxyproline could increase oxalate levels in the urine, and therefore, may harm kidney health ( 9 , 10 ).
Some research has found that taking daily collagen powder could help make your bones denser, slowing the aging process that makes them brittle and helping your body to produce new bone. Skin elasticity and hydration. Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity for older people.
Collagen's role in the body
"Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz. Your body naturally makes collagen, but this production decreases with age.
What is Sofwave? The Aivee Clinic's Sofwave treatment is the latest, most advanced, and non-invasive treatment using a 3D ultrasound technology that works best for skin tightening and lifting. It targets fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy skin usually found in the jowl, jawline, neck, eyelids, and brows.