Collagen: Your Secret Weight Loss Buddy!!!

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Struggling with weight management is a common challenge for so many of us, and often leading us to explore countless diets, supplements, and wellness trends in search of a perfect solution. Amidst these numerous options, one protein is rising to prominence not only for its well-known beauty benefits but also for its potential in weight management — COLLAGEN. Let’s find out how!!

Let’s start with Collagen. It is the most abundant protein, making up around 40% of the protein in the body. It’s the one that holds you together. It’s in your skin, muscles, bones, and even your hair. It gives structure and support to connective tissues, helps healing, organ development, metabolism, and cell growth. In fact collagen makes up 70-80% of the dermis and gives the skin its mechanical and structural integrity. Here’s a fun fact - Did you know that there are over 28 kinds of collagen proteins in the human body?

So how is Collagen Important for Weight Loss*?

Proteins are the VIPs in the club of nutrients. They build and repair stuff in the body, keep the joints well lubricated and mobility smooth, make hormones, and keep the body running like a well ‘oiled’ machine. 

You’re probably thinking, “Collagen and weight loss? What’s the connection?” Well, let’s break it down:

Promotes Satiety: Collagen helps promote a sense of fullness, much like other proteins. It slows stomach emptying and boosts the release of satiety hormones such as leptin, GLP-1, and peptide YY, helping you feel full longer. This can lead to eating less frequently and managing hunger more effectively—a clear win for weight management!

However, instead of relying on collagen supplements, it's best to focus on boosting your body's natural collagen production. Enhancing collagen synthesis naturally through lifestyle changes ensures you reap the maximum benefits in the healthiest way possible. Prioritize staying well-hydrated, consuming protein-rich foods, and adopting healthy habits. A balanced diet that includes essential nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and copper supports your body's ability to produce collagen effectively.

Over-relying on collagen supplements might lead to an imbalance in nutrient intake. Natural collagen production requires a variety of micronutrients & cofactors, and supplements will not provide these in a balanced way, potentially leading to deficiencies or imbalances. By focusing on natural methods, you support your body's collagen production efficiently and sustainably.

Increases Muscle Mass: Maintaining muscle mass is critical during weight loss to ensure that the body burns fat rather than muscle. Collagen provides essential amino acids that support muscle repair and growth, helping to preserve lean muscle tissue. Also improved muscle mass means a higher metabolism. Higher metabolism means more calories burned, even when you're binge-watching your favourite show.

Improves Gut Health: The digestive tract is lined with a mucosal layer that relies on collagen to stay intact and functional. The amino acids in collagen, particularly glycine and glutamine, are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the gut lining. Collagen helps strengthen this barrier, reducing the risk of conditions like leaky gut syndrome.

Reduces Fat Accumulation: Collagen improves metabolism which leads to utilisation of fat for generation of energy helping reduce body fat. It’s like having a little fat-fighting ninja in your corner.

Relieves Joint Pain: Exercise is great for weight loss, but it can be tough on the joints. Collagen helps keep those joints in top shape so you can keep moving without feeling like an old rusty gate.

​Now that we understand collagen's benefits extend beyond skin, hair, and joint health to also support weight management, it's crucial to recognize that there's no need to start consuming collagen supplements. The body is capable of producing collagen naturally. Improving collagen naturally involves a combination of dietary choices, lifestyle habits, and skincare practices.

Your body makes collagen naturally, but here’s the catch: after your mid-20s, collagen production starts to decline. That’s why you need to give it a boost with natural sources like ashwagandha, spirulina, chlorella, red spinach, and other nutrient-dense foods that support fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production. Natural collagen is more readily absorbed and puts less stress on the body compared to synthetic or animal-derived collagen.

For instance, Replenish with Greens gummies from Caim are crafted to support fibroblasts. These gummies add greens equivalent to a massive bowl of veggies to your diet. Leafy greens like spinach and chlorella are packed with vitamin C, which is essential for collagen synthesis. It’s like giving your body a little boost in collagen production.

Additionally, greens are great for Digestion and Metabolism. The inulin present in chicory extract is a rich source of prebiotic fiber, which helps maintain smooth digestion. A healthy gut ensures better nutrient absorption and efficient bodily functions.

Greens are also packed with vitamins that boost metabolism, helping your body convert food into energy more effectively. This increased energy expenditure means you’re burning more calories, even during light activities.

Collagen isn’t just for keeping your skin looking young; it’s a secret weapon for weight loss. It helps you feel full, builds muscle, fights fat, and supports joint health. Pairing a collagen-boosting diet with greens can enhance collagen production and improve digestion and metabolism. So, next time you’re deciding what to eat, consider adding foods rich in collagen-boosting nutrients and greens. Your body will thank you, and you might even fit into those jeans from last year!

References:

* Park, J., Kim, M., Shin, H., Ahn, H., & Park, Y. K. (2023). Low-Molecular Collagen Peptide Supplementation and Body Fat Mass in Adults Aged ≥ 50 Years: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Clinical nutrition research, 12(4), 245–256. https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2023.12.4.245