Does Collagen Make You Gain Weight? Myths, Facts, and Benefits Explained

Collagen is one of the most common found proteins in our body. In the past few years, it has gained immense popularity as a nutritional supplement. The most known effect of collagen is the benefits it provides to the skin, but these supplements can be used to lose weight.

However, not many studies have been made of collagen concerning weight loss. But still, some researches have proven to provide a link between weight loss and collagen use . This is because collagen supplements are produced from the bones and cells of plants or animals.

The main aim of these collagen supplements is to help your body regain the collagen that might have been lost. So, if you want to know how you can use collagen to help you in your journey for weight loss, then you have come to the right place!

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is formed by amino acids that make up proteins which are the basic building blocks of life. The main amino acids found in collagen are glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These account for the significant portion of a collagen molecule in our body.

The proteins present in our body are in the form of chains. The collagen’s amino acid are twisted around each other in the form of a rope making the compound durable and rugged.

This protein is fashioned naturally in our body by fibroblasts. The production of collagen in our body to the required limit needs high-quality protein along with vitamin C. This can be done by having food that has a particular portion of these nutrients or by taking collagen supplements.

Collagen is one of the main proteins that is present in the extracellular matrix, which helps to form the cell structure. For this reason, it is the most ample protein in the body and counts for about 30% to 40% of the total protein count in the body .

Most types of collagen consist of firmly packed molecules that form long and thin fibers. They function to anchor the cells to each other and provide support. They also give skin the elasticity that it needs. 

What Is The Function Of Collagen In The Body?

There are at least 16 different types of collagen present in our body, but the significant portion consists of types 1, 2, and 3. All of them have different physical appearances complementing their structures. The functions of the most common ones are given below.

• Type I.This makes up around 90% of the total collagen pool of the body. It is present in bones, teeth, tendons, muscles, and connective tissue to strengthen these structures.
• Type II.This consists of a less tightly packed fibrous network and is found in cartilages in joints as a cushion to prevent shock.
• Type III.This is used in forming muscles, organs, and arteries.
• Type IV.This is present for filtration and is present amongst the layers of skin.

As you grow older, these collagenous fibers are replaced by fibrous tissue, which make it stiff, producing less collagen. This can be seen in the skin, which becomes less elastic, or your joints that become painful.

Similarly, there are also different types of collagen supplements that you can take.

So first off, you need to know the different types of collagen supplements and what they make. 

Types Of Collagen In Supplements

• Gelatin: also known as cooked collagen, is prepared by prolonged heating of collagen. The heat breaks down the collagen into smaller protein molecules.
• Hydrolyzed: if you continue to heat the collagen further, it also forms amino acids, which is called hydrolyzed collagen. It is also called hydrolyzed gelatin, collagen peptides.
• Undenatured: this is the actual collagen that has not been heated or broken down. 

Does Collagen Make You Gain Weight?

Collagen is the new trending supplement that a lot of people around you may be taking too. This is the upcoming supplement that people are turning to from your friends at school or your favourite vlogger. But, although the whole buzz around collagen supplements may be fascinating, there is a slight concern too. And this is about weight gain.

Being concerned about the gain that may occur after taking collagen is pretty standard among people. Therefore if you use collagen and are worried about the weight gain concern, you have come to the right place.

Although such a structurally small protein, collagen has a massive role in our bodies. It is needed to anchor cells on the body and also helps us to look young and beautiful. In addition, it is the foundation of our body, making our muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Does collagen cause weight gain, or not? Collagen does not cause you to gain weight if you are still wondering. However, it will help increase your strength, but nothing in these supplements can cause you to gain weight. 

Where To Start With - The Mind Then The Body

The most crucial aspect of weight loss is to start thinking positively about your body. Weight loss is a long journey, and it will take time to produce results. So you need to be patient and appreciate every gram loss from the body. Having a positive vibe and increased motivation is the first step required to feel good about yourself. You cannot urge yourself to lose weight if you start feeling bad about yourself.

Your positive attitude and approach towards things are the most significant part of your overall well-being. Therefore it is crucial to keep your mind occupied with your body goals and be mindful of your positive energy during your weight loss journey.

It is tough to lose weight and keep continuing at that track. You can also give up in the middle of it because of the challenging situation. But you have to keep trying harder each day and have a firm belief that you will succeed. 

How Does Collagen Help To Lose Weight?

Collagen Helps To Fill Your Stomach

We tend to take up a lot of calories to feel full. In doing so, we can consume a lot of carbohydrates that can effectively disturb our weight loss process. However, it is known that having macromolecules like fats or proteins makes you feel full for a more extended period .

And here comes the role of collagen supplements. By taking these, you can feel full for a longer time, eliminating the need to take unwanted calories. In addition, some studies  have shown that it also suppresses the hormones that provoke hunger in the body, so you don't feel like munching all the time.

Increase Muscle Mass

Increasing your muscle mass is an essential aspect of your weight loss journey. This is because muscles burn more calories creating an overall calorie deficit. Therefore by taking these supplements, you can drastically increase your muscle mass as it is the main structural protein in our body.

There is also a misconception that if you are building your muscles, you are putting on weight. People link this to the use of collagen in their diet too. However, the reality is completing opposite of this. By increasing your muscle mass, you are getting rid of the unwanted fats and calories that reduce your overall weight.

Lets Go Off The Joint Pain

These collagen supplements also work to reduce your joint pain, which indirectly helps in weight loss . If you have pain-free joints, you can move them around comfortably during exercises and perform the workout for a longer time. On the other hand, if you have sore joints, the movement will be painful, and you will not want to exercise after a while.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in your joints starts to break down because of intense wear and tear. This causes immense pain and stiffness in your joints. By taking collagen supplements, you can increase the collagen needed for the repair of these joints. 

Young Skin

The anti-aging component of skin that makes it look young and fresh is none other than collagen. This compound pampers your skin, prevents the formation of wrinkles or fine lines on your face, and keeps it hydrated.

However, as you age, collagen production goes down, and you may start to find wrinkles and sagging of your skin. Your skin may not appear as tight as it was before.

Collagen supplements, if taken precisely, can increase skin elasticity and delay aging . This will help you look younger and more youthful as it promotes the production of natural collagen in your body. It also helps to maintain your skin’s texture and tone.

In addition to skincare, collagen is also vital for the better growth of hair and nails. It makes your hair and nails healthy and more lively than they were ever before .

Prevention Of Bone Loss

The significant component of your bone is collagen, on which the whole structure of the bone lies. Together with the collagen content that it holds, the bone mass starts to degrade as you age. This can produce illnesses like osteoporosis that have a low bone density as their main symptom and can cause an increased risk of bone fracture.

Many researchers have proven that taking collagen supplements in your diet can significantly reduce the risk of these diseases and make your bones more potent and tougher . This is because they work against the agents trying to break down your body's natural collagen along with providing new collagen to your bones.

This also helps to boost up your bone mineral density (BMD) and increases the deposition of minerals like calcium and phosphate. With the increase in these substances, the bone can be repaired better and can retain its strength.

Increases Heart Circulation

Collagen supplements have proven to show that they can visibly reduce the risk of heart-related conditions . It helps to improve the overall circulation of the heart and decreases the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. 

Arteries are numerous long blood vessels responsible for carrying blood from your heart to the rest of the body. Any blockage or obstruction in the arteries can lead to severe diseases like cardiac arrest or stroke. It may also cause atherosclerosis which is defined by narrowing down of the arteries hindering their functions. In addition, without any collagen, these vessels may become weak and unable to perform their job.

Taking collagen supplements has proven to reduce artery stiffness to a greater extent than not using the supplements. Therefore, the elderly above the age of 50 and mostly men should make collagen supplements a part of their daily diet to delay the risks of their heart diseases.

This also increases the amount of HDL (High-Density Cholesterol) in the blood, which is a crucial constituent to eliminate heart diseases. 

Is There Anything Like Too Much Collagen?

This protein is animal-based and made up of several amino acids. Therefore, it is rendered safe to consume even in larger quantities. Moreover, it will prove to be beneficial for your skin, nails, hair, and joints.

It has many essential functions in our body and will help you lose that excess weight. So taking about 2.5-15 mg of collagen supplements in your daily diet cannot be harmful to your health at all. 

How To Supplement Your Diet With Collagen

You can increase the number of collagen supplements to promote the growth of your skin and hair, along with losing weight. You can adjust the amount of collagen that you have according to your needs. It will help to increase the overall well-being of your body.

However, it would be beneficial for you if you were careful while picking your collagen supplement. It should be bioavailable and easily used by your body. In addition, it should have proven clinical effectiveness that ensures that it will be advantageous for you.

Although natural sources of collagen-like bone broth are available, they are not as effective in increasing collagen by the gram as supplements. Moreover, these supplements have all the other nutrients required to absorb collagen, making them a suitable product. 

Why You Should Choose Vieve Collagen Protein Powder and Protein Water 

Vieve is the world's first high-protein drink and protein water to use collagen as its primary protein source, offering a true non-dairy alternative to whey and milk based drinks. Each bottle contains 20,000mg of hydrolysed collagen.  

Head over to our shop to check out our selection of protein drinks, collagen peptide powders and protein waters.  Find out more about Vieve here.  Vieve Protein Water is available in the UK from Amazon, Ocado or via our website.

If you're wondering, 'does collagen make you gain weight', the answer lies in understanding its role in muscle building, metabolism, and overall body composition. Protein is an essential part of any diet, it allows us to build up muscle mass, keep focus on daily tasks and stay energised. At Vieve we strive to make protein easy to consume and we’ve collected our favourite recipes to spruce up your protein intake in fun and easy ways