Using collagen for sports nutrition
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Collagen is used by athletes to improve athletic performance. Collagen supplements are very popular and well known in the beauty industry to improve the appearance of skin, hair and nails, However more and more athletes are starting to add collagen to their diet. Does this collagen supplement really enhance muscle mass? And what exactly is it? We discuss what is in collagen supplements, and how they work,
What Are Collagen Supplements, Collagen Peptides, and Hydrolysed Collagen?
There are a lot of different terms you may not understand. So here are the facts:
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Collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It provides the structure and elasticity in muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues. As we age, collagen levels decrease, which causes the signs of aging, like wrinkles and saggy skin, joint pain, stiffer tendons and ligaments, and weaker muscles.
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Collagen peptides. Peptides are smaller chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. However, proteins are very large molecules. Collagen can be broken down into smaller particles so it is more easily absorbed, these are known as collagen peptides.
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Hydrolysed collagen. You’ll see most supplements are often labelled as collagen peptides or hydrolysed collagen. They are the same. Hydrolysed collagen simply means the collagen has been broken down into smaller pieces, also known as peptides. Collagen is hydrolysed and turned into peptides for supplements to make it easier for our stomachs to digest.
Collagen peptides have been proven to support athletes, contributing to high performance and A quicker recovery
A suggested daily dose of between 5 and 15g of collagen is recommended to help athletes stay injury-free. Hydrolysed Collagen peptides have been proven as a nutrition solution to support strong and flexible tendons and ligaments in athletes, which contributes to better performance and quicker recovery time after physical activity. It is also a nutritional aid for tendon and ligament injuries. Athletes can use PUREAGEN® collagen to maintain a high level of performance after a period of activity.
Improving Muscle Mass
Collagen is an important component of muscles, and we lose collagen as we age, which is why muscle mass decreases with age. Research has proven that collagen supplements can reverse this aging in people diagnosed with sarcopenia, age-related muscle loss.
A research study looked at elderly men with muscle loss, and they found that when men combined exercise with a post-workout collagen supplement, they built more muscle mass than those that exercised and received a placebo. .
Collagen helps with muscle mass because it contains the amino acids arginine and glycine, the important building blocks for creatine which helps improve muscle mass, build strength, and improve athletic performance.
Collagen Supplements can Enhance fitness & Recovery
Recovery time is important to improving fitness and hitting athletic goals, and it may be possible to speed this rest period using collagen. The recovery of muscles damaged during workouts depends on regenerating muscle fibers and producing scar tissue. Both of these processes require collagen, and collagen production is boosted during healing.
Injuries can also slow down fitness by preventing injuries athletes have more time to train and improve. Supplementing with hydrolysed collagen could be a way of recovering from injuries.
preventing injuries
The performance and recovery benefits of collagen go far beyond muscle regeneration. Collagen peptides have a unique amino acid composition containing high levels of the amino acids including glycine, hydroxyproline, proline, alanine and arginine. The most popular sports, such as cycling and sprinting, involve repetitive, high-impact movements. This puts excessive stress on the joints and can cause damage to the cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Collagen supports the connective tissues and can prevent injuries from this stress placed on the body
Reduce Joint Pain with Collagen Peptides
Collagen is an important component of cartilage, the tissue that cushions and support joints. As we get older this tissue wears away, and the process occurs faster in athletes. As the cartilage breaks down we experience joint pain and even arthritis.
Studies have shown that using collagen supplements can reduce joint pain and some symptoms of osteoarthritis. One study used a group of 147 athletes over the course of 24 weeks. All had pain in their joints related to athletic activities.
73 of the athletes were given hydrolysed collagen supplements. The rest received a placebo. The results showed that those who used the hydrolysed collagen supplements experienced greater reduction in joint pain.
PUREAGEN® hydrolysed collagen powder is highly bioavailable, tasteless and instantly soluble and provides support for the regeneration of cartilage, reduces joint inflammation and discomfort, supports connective tissues and prevent injuries.
