The ketogenic diet has gained immense popularity as a weight loss tool in recent years. It is a high-fat, very low-carb diet that forces your body to burn stored fats for energy due to the lack of glucose in the bloodstream. For many, the keto diet isn’t a long-term plan, but a quick fix for a period of overindulgence, or maybe a way to kick start weight loss motivation. While the keto diet was originally developed to treat epilepsy in children back in the 1920s, it has since become more popular as a weight loss tool. The goal of the keto diet is to encourage your body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates for energy by transitioning the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. When the body is in ketosis, it burns fat for energy instead of the glucose, or sugar, that is found in carbohydrates, the body’s preferred source of fuel. In order for the body to enter ketosis and start breaking down fat, people need to eat very low levels of carbohydrates. Although the level of carbohydrate intake required to send a person into ketosis varies from person to person, most people need to limit their total carbohydrate intake to 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Talking to a licensed nutritionist or health care professional is always the best way to get started. It’s also super important when starting any new diet plan to have the right nutritional tools.
Collagen, much like the keto diet, is a hot topic in the health and nutrition world. It’s benefits can range from muscle recovery to skin and hair health. How? Your body uses amino acids to build muscle, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and connective tissue. There are many different types of amino acids, but the type found in collagen are the most abundant in your body thanks to the role they play in forming your connective tissues and skin. Collagen is a type of protein that is naturally produced by both humans and animals alike. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and there are no non-animal (vegan) sources of collagen. Although we naturally produce our own collagen, the body produces less and less collagen as we age beginning at about the age of 25. Collagen is found in every part of the body, from the skin to the bones, muscles, hair, teeth, organs, and blood vessels. Collagen is a critical component of all of the body’s connective tissues and skin, so reduced levels of collagen as we age can cause a variety of health issues. These issues may be particularly pronounced in individuals who do not consume enough protein in general.
As noted above, a keto diet is high in fat, very low in carbs, and requires a moderate protein intake. For many people, a moderate protein intake means they are consuming less protein than they were used to before starting a keto diet, and this can have some noticeable effects on their appearance and overall health. However, eating too much protein can derail your keto diet, which is why it’s so important to stick to your macros. Unfortunately, that means that you might not get all of the collagen you need. While collagen isn’t the same type of protein as dietary protein, it can be challenging to get the amount of collagen you need without consuming large quantities of protein. That’s because collagen is found only in animal sources, including bovine collagen, which is derived from bovine animals like cows, and marine collagen, which is derived from fish and other sea creatures. If you’re not eating a significant amount of protein, you might be missing out on some key amino acids, including those found in collagen.
Collagen is associated with a wide range of health benefits, as it is found in nearly every part of the body. The good news is that you don’t need to sabotage your keto diet and risk coming out of ketosis in order to ensure that you receive enough collagen; keto collagen has many health benefits. Keto and collagen-our new favorite dynamic duo! Here’s why you should consider incorporating collagen into your keto diet regimen:
Benefits of Orgain Keto Collagen Protein Powder Chocolate
Orgain Keto Collagen Protein Powder offers a convenient and delicious way to supplement your keto diet with collagen. This chocolate-flavored powder provides a guilt-free indulgence while supporting your health and dietary goals.
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High Protein, Zero Carbs
Orgain Collagen Peptides contain zero carbohydrates and 18 grams of protein in just a single serving. Whether you’re just not a big fan of eating meat or simply looking for ways to gain extra low carb protein, collagen can be a good option.
Supports Muscle, Bone, and Joint Recovery
Collagen has been shown to promote bone, muscle and joint recovery; an added bonus for those avid gym-goers on the keto-diet
Promotes a Healthy Gut
Collagen has been shown to promote a healthy gut.
Ideal Macronutrient Ratio
Orgain’s Keto Collagen Protein Powder has an ideal 2:1 protein to fat ratio that is perfect for anyone who follows a keto diet.
Delicious Chocolate Flavor
POV: You’re keto but you want something chocolatey. With 10g* grass-fed, pasture-raised collagen to support your hair, skin, nails and joints plus a 2:1 protein-to-fat ratio to help you stay on track with your keto-friendly diet, this powder is your new go-to for guilt-free indulgence. Add to that, it’s in a rich, super chocolatey flavor that won’t fudge up your keto lifestyle. *Per serving ^Not a reduced calorie food.
Read also: Is Orgain Keto Protein Worth It?
Additional Benefits of Collagen Peptide Powder
You may have heard of the benefits of collagen supplementation in terms of slowing signs of premature aging on your skin, but did you know that collagen has a wide range of health benefits for your entire body? There are at least nine potential benefits of taking collagen peptide powder.
Supports Joint Health
The end of each of your bones is wrapped in a protective tissue called cartilage that helps to protect the bones and joints from the effects of daily movement. Collagen is a critical element of cartilage, and because your collagen production decreases in both quality and quantity as you age, your cartilage can degrade right along with it, increasing your risk of developing degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. Collagen supplements have been found to support joint health, which can help work to reduce some of the discomfort experienced with poor joint health. In a study of athletes, participants who consumed ten grams of collagen daily for a period of about six months reported a significant decrease in overall joint discomfort caused by strenuous training, including when walking and resting. However, you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from taking collagen peptide powder. Even those who don’t exercise regularly and are simply experiencing the effects of aging have been shown to experience improved joint function, according to one study of adults who used two grams of collagen daily for 70 days. How does collagen peptide powder do it? It’s believed that taking additional collagen increases the amount of collagen in the body, which helps the substance to accumulate in the cartilage and encourages the body to produce more collagen.
Supports Heart Health
While many people are familiar with the benefits of collagen for its anti-aging features, collagen peptide powder’s benefits for heart health are less well known. However, some studies researching the benefits of collagen show promising results. Collagen supplements are believed to support heart health by supporting the strength of the blood vessels. Some types of collagen fibers provide structure to the arteries, which transport blood away from the heart and towards the rest of the body. Strong arteries are key to heart health, because when the arteries start to become weak and fragile, they can start to narrow, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. As your arteries become more narrow, the risk of experiencing potentially life threatening medical conditions like heart attack and stroke increases. Research appears to support the benefits of collagen for heart health. One study gave healthy adult participants a collagen supplement every day for six months. The study found that participants who received a collagen supplement showed significant reduction in the stiffness of their arteries over the course of the study period and also increased the amount of “good” cholesterol by an average of about six percent.
Supports Bone Strength
Collagen plays a critical role in the formation of bone and in maintaining the strength of your bones as you age. The bones are primarily made of collagen, but as you produce less collagen with age, your bone mass begins to deteriorate. If your bone loss becomes severe enough you can experience osteoporosis, a condition that can contribute to an increased risk of bone fractures. Studies have been conducted in women, who are considered to be at higher risk for bone density issues, that demonstrate the positive effects of collagen supplementation on bone mineral density. Women who took collagen in one study were found to have lower levels of certain proteins found in the blood that contribute to bone breakdown than women who did not take the supplement. Another study showed that women taking collagen increased their bone mineral density by up to seven percent compared to women who did not supplement with collagen.
Improves Skin Health and Reduces Signs of Aging
One of the most well known benefits of collagen is its effects on aging. Collagen is a major component of the skin and is part of what gives your skin its youthful appearance. As collagen production declines with age, the skin is one of the first places to show signs of less collagen; it begins to lose elasticity, starts to become dry, and fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear. Collagen peptide powder can support skin health by minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, improving skin hydration, and boosting skin elasticity. One study found that women who used a collagen supplement containing as little as 2.5 grams of collagen for 8 weeks showed a significant increase in skin elasticity and overall moisture than those who did not. Collagen supplements may also help to reduce the perceived depth of skin wrinkles, contributing to a more youthful appearance overall. Collagen peptide powder is thought to improve skin health by encouraging the body to produce more collagen on its own and boosting collagen quality. As collagen levels in the body rise, it is believed that the body also begins to produce more of other important proteins that contribute to skin health, including elastin and fibrillin.
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Increases Muscle Mass
Although collagen is found in the largest quantities in the bones and skin, up to ten percent of the muscle tissue is composed of collagen. Without an ample supply of collagen, your muscles are not able to function properly, and you may begin to lose muscle mass as you age. The effects of collagen supplementation for increasing muscle mass have been studied in several human studies. One study of frail men found that those who supplemented their diet with collagen while engaging in an exercise program showed significantly larger improvements in muscle mass and strength compared to men who only engaged in exercise. It is believed that collagen increases muscle mass by stimulating the creation of other muscle proteins that aid in muscle growth, such as creatine, and by stimulating muscle growth on its own.
Strengthens Hair and Nails
Collagen is also well known for strengthening the hair and nails and boosting their overall health. Collagen is believed to reduce brittleness in the hair and nails and may encourage them to grow faster than they otherwise would. Studies examining the role of collagen in the strength of hair and nails are promising, but more research is needed. Many adherents to the keto diet find that they start to lose their hair as they start a keto diet because their bodies are used to a higher protein intake.
May Improve Gut Health
Anecdotal evidence suggests that collagen peptide powder and collagen supplementation in general may help to improve gut health by reducing symptoms associated with leaky gut syndrome, also known as intestinal permeability. When you start a keto diet, you may notice changes in your digestion that can be uncomfortable, especially while you are still adjusting to the diet. However, more research is needed.
May Support Mental Health
Anecdotal evidence suggests that collagen peptide powder and collagen supplementation in general may help to improve overall mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety in some people, supporting overall mental health. We all want to look and feel our best and age gracefully, but a lack of collagen can make that challenging. However, more research is needed.
May Support a Healthy Metabolism
Anecdotal evidence suggests that collagen peptide powder and collagen supplementation in general may help to support a healthy metabolism and increase energy levels, which may result in weight loss. However, more research is needed.