A collagen supplement is fantastic for helping your body thrive from the inside out. But there may come a time when you’re unsure if it’s necessary. You’ve been using the supplement for a while, and although you love the results, it probably isn’t doing anything anymore. So, you decide to quit taking collagen.
Before you make that decision, we recommend learning what happens to your body when you stop taking a collagen supplement. Read on to discover the changes you might see and whether quitting collagen is worth it.
Why you need collagen supplements in the first place
Have you ever wondered why babies have soft and bouncy skin? Why kids can run, jump, and do cartwheels without a creaky knee in sight? Or how teenagers can grow lovely hair without really trying? Collagen. Under-25s have buckets full of it because their bodies produce as much as possible to help them grow and develop.
Collagen is a type of protein that your body creates. It helps build muscle, support your skin and contribute to healthy joints (among many other things).
Read more: 7 Incredible Benefits of Collagen Supplements.
Unfortunately, you stop producing as much collagen after your mid-twenties and your levels start decreasing. Introducing a collagen supplement from your 30s onwards is a good idea because it makes up for the collagen you’re no longer producing.
Read more: How To Know When To Start Taking Collagen.
Here’s what happens when you quit taking a collagen supplement
Maybe you think you’ve been diligent enough to stop taking a collagen supplement. You’ll be fine because your body now has plenty of collagen stored, right? Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.
A collagen supplement replenishes the lost collagen from age. However, your body can’t ‘stockpile’ collagen because it’s used constantly. When you no longer take the supplement, your collagen levels go back to their baseline level, and you don’t receive a regular top-up. You don’t have zero collagen, but you don’t have enough to thrive either.
So, when you cease taking a collagen supplement, what exactly happens to your body?
Wrinkles and fine lines become more pronounced
You may have noticed wrinkles and fine lines smoothing and softening while you take a collagen supplement. In a 4-week study, 80% of participants saw a 13% reduction in wrinkles when taking the Arella Beauty Collagen Supplement daily.
This happens because collagen gives skin cells structure, bounce, and strength. But, as collagen decreases, so does the elasticity in your cells, and skin sinks into natural facial crevices, creating lines. Taking a collagen supplement gives your skin cells extra support to remain firm and lifted. However, that additional support gradually disappears when you stop taking the supplement.
Read more: Our Vegan Liquid Sachets: The Best Collagen Supplement For Sagging Skin.
There could be aches and pains in your joints
Do us a favour; bend your elbow. Now, straighten it. You can do that because your ligaments and tendons stretch out and pull back. But how exactly does it work? Well, by using collagen.
Collagen helps build your tendons and gives them the flexibility to extend and the strength to pull back in. When your muscles don’t contain enough collagen, they become weak, which causes a lot of strain on your joints. This may lead to uncomfortable tension and achy joints in your knees, elbows, wrists, toes and fingers.
Read more: This Is The Way To Treat Joint Pain Quickly.
You have less energy and feel more tired
Collagen contributes to enhanced energy, which sounds strange as taking a collagen supplement isn’t like drinking coffee. So, why and how does it help you feel less tired?
You get energy from food and oxygen, which your blood flow carries to essential organs like the heart, lungs and liver. When your organs are nourished, they work better, and when they work better, you enjoy the benefit of increased energy. Blood circulates around your body through arteries and blood vessels, which act like tunnels to channel and direct the flow of oxygen and nutrients.
When you have a lot of collagen, your artery walls are strong, open, and flexible, which is essential for healthy circulation. However, when you stop taking a collagen supplement, the blood vessel structure weakens. Artery walls may collapse inwards slightly and stiffen, slowing blood flow, impacting your energy levels, and causing fatigue.
Read more: Always Tired? Why You're Exhausted and How to Fix It.
It takes longer to recover from a workout
Hitting the gym or doing a sweaty workout is excellent for your body. It gets your heart pumping, boosts blood flow, reduces stress, and improves self-esteem.
When you work out, your muscles experience microtears, which is why you might feel sore after an intense session. Although it sounds unappealing, it’s how your muscles regrow, develop and become stronger.
Collagen is a protein that helps muscle growth and contributes to healing and rebuilding microtears. Generally, the more collagen you have, the faster your muscle repairs. However, when you lack collagen, muscle growth takes longer, and the body struggles to recover from workouts.
So, if you stop taking a collagen supplement, don’t be surprised if soreness from the gym lasts longer than usual.
You may start experiencing gut issues
Collagen keeps your digestive system sealed by weaving a robust, leak-proof lining that can expand and contract. This prevents stomach acid, undigested food, and waste from leaking into your bloodstream
When the body doesn’t have enough collagen, the lining weakens, and you may start experiencing gut issues. For example, regular bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhoea, or excess gas. If left untreated, it can lead to severe digestion problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or leaky gut syndrome.
However, quitting a collagen supplement doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll experience digestive problems. Instead, it may be that taking a collagen supplement contributes to excellent digestion. Such as no discomfort after eating, rare bloating or cramping, and regular, healthy bowel movements.
Read more: The Beautiful Benefits of Collagen for Gut Health.
Care for your body and replenish collagen loss with a collagen supplement
If we were to give you some lasting advice, it would be to consistently take your collagen supplement. You may not realise its benefits because you’re already enjoying them! Show yourself the love and attention you deserve and restore your body from within with Arella Beauty’s Liquid Collagen.
Read next:
- Collagen supplements: More than just a buzzword
- How Do Collagen Supplements Work?
- What to look for in collagen supplements
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Written by Emma Carey for Arella Beauty.
Emma is a holistic beauty and wellness writer. She has three years of experience in the well-being industry and a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Wellness. Check out her portfolio and follow her on Instagram.
