What Are The Benefits Of Collagen For Men?

Understanding Collagen’s Role in Male Health

So what exactly is collagen? Collagen is the main protein that fortifies your body’s connective tissues.* It is present in your skin, hair, muscles, joints, and bones.* The Cleveland Clinic reports that collagen makes up 30% of your body’s total protein content.

To put it in a cursory way, collagen is a very important protein for a man’s body.* It can help make the skin more resilient, prevent wrinkles, improve joint mobility, help avoid joint-related injuries, and contribute to hair follicle strength.*

Collagen also fortifies the production of important amino acids for male health.* These amino acids contribute to muscle growth.* There have even been some speculative studies that have investigated collagen’s role in preventing obesity and aiding in weight loss.*

Perhaps most importantly, collagen is important for a man’s cardiovascular health as we see in the following study quote:

Studies have shown that taking collagen supplements can reduce artery stiffness and increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol in the body. This means it can help reduce your risk of developing heart conditions.

So collagen is clearly not just about having better-looking skin and hair - there are clear and important health benefits of these kinds of supplements as well.*

Issues usually arise in middle to old age when the body stops producing as much collagen as it used to. This is typically what leads to joint problems and tissue breakdown.*

As you get older, you may notice that your muscles get fatigued quicker than they used to or that your hair seems thinner or that your joints feel creaky.* All of this can be attributed to poor collagen production.*

That’s why taking a good collagen supplement can be so beneficial for overall male health.* But what about the practical benefits?

Benefits of Collagen for Men’s Health

Taking the right kind of collagen supplements can offer a wide variety of health, wellness, and beauty benefits for men. Here are just a few of the most important benefits:

Improved Skin Health

Numerous studies have pointed to collagen’s ability to fight the visible signs of skin aging.* Collagen supplementation can revitalize the skin and strengthen its connective tissues so that it is firmer and has a better overall texture.*

In one high-quality study, it was suggested that just 12 weeks of collagen supplementation can significantly improve skin texture, hydration, and appearance.*

Joint Health & Mobility

Collagen is a protein that is naturally present in human joints.* This has led many researchers to the conclusion that it is essential for joint function.*

At least one study has shown that collagen supplementation can aid in cartilage repair in the joints and alleviate conditions of osteoarthritis.* Collagen may ultimately improve your flexibility and mobility so you can live a more active and healthy lifestyle.*

Muscle Mass & Strength

Collagen is also an important protein for muscle growth and recovery.* Because it can help the muscle tissues mend after working it, collagen has been observed to improve overall strength.*

The National Institutes of Health reports that “Moreover, the study has demonstrated that the combination of resistance exercise and collagen peptide supplementation resulted in a more pronounced improvement of body composition, as indicated by a significant increase in muscle mass and decrease in FM, compared with placebo.”

Bone Health

Some animal studies have suggested that collagen peptide supplementation could lead to improvements in bone mineral density (BMD).*

These findings indicate that taking collagen supplements, especially those in the form of collagen peptides, could increase bone strength and help prevent breaks and fractures.*

Hair & Nail Strength

Again, collagen peptides appear to be particularly helpful for hair and nail strength.* In one study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, it was observed that collagen peptide supplementation significantly increased hair growth.* The study also alluded to the potential of widening the follicle circumference.*

This means that collagen peptides may help increase hair growth rate and make your hair look thicker.*

Gut Health

Collagen has been hailed as a gut health supplement as well.* The reason for this assertion has to do with collagen’s apparent effect on the lining of the digestive tract.

Studies have observed that collagen strengthens the lining of the digestive system and helps prevent detrimental bowel inflammation.*

Clinical trials have revealed collagen peptide’s potential for decreasing common indigestion symptoms like bloating, acid reflux, irregular bowel movements, excess gas, and cramps as well.*

Sources of Collagen

Luckily, there are multiple dietary sources of collagen. If you want to get more collagen through the foods you eat, try dining on:

• Leafy greens like kale, lettuce, collard greens, bok choy, and spinach
• Fish like salmon - in particular, salmon skin
• Chicken
• Bone broth
• Fruits rich in vitamin C like oranges, lemons, and pineapple
• Red meat such as beef and pork
• Egg whites

If you aren't keen on altering your diet, a quality collagen supplement may help you get a healthy dose of daily collagen. For instance, Super Derm Complex is a natural and safe collagen supplement that many consumers say offers great health benefits for men.*

How to Incorporate Collagen Into Your Diet

Eating collagen-rich foods is the best way to get more collagen in your diet aside from taking a doctor-approved supplement. Try eating a breakfast of egg whites with bagels topped with smoked salmon.

For lunch, try a salad with kale and spinach topped with Vitamin C-rich berries like blueberries and strawberries. For a collagen-rich dinner, try a rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes.

Potential Side Effects & Considerations

Like all dietary supplements, you need to be careful when incorporating more collagen into your diet. While collagen is not known for having typical side effects, you may be allergic to fish, poultry products, dairy, shellfish, and other common sources of collagen.*

If that is the case, you may experience allergic reactions when ingesting more collagen.* Be sure to speak with your doctor about any allergies you may have or medications you may be on before you start with a collagen supplement regimen.

You may also like: Are Marine Collagen Peptides Worth the Hype?