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Collagen: A runners best friend?

As the longer, warmer days of summer arrive, you may be more inclined to dig out your trainers and hit the pavements! And why not? Running is free, rewarding and GOOD for you.

Running offers many health benefits including both mental and physical. In 2023, 6.2 million individuals engaged in running as an activity,1https://www.statista.com/statistics/934996/running-participation-uk/ highlighting just how popular it is!

Running isn’t just for super fast, professional athletes. Thanks to apps like ‘Couch to 5K‘ and events such as ‘Park Run‘, running has risen in popularity amongst beginners too. So, whether you’re just starting out or consider yourself pro, how can Chuckling Goat support you on your running journey?

Enter Collagen!

What is collagen?

Here at Chuckling Goat, we’re huge fans of a daily dose of Pure Fish Collagen. It plays a key role in our Gut-Health Protocol, providing protection to the delicate lining of the gut. But what exactly is collagen? Collagen is a type of protein, containing various amino acids, mainly glycine, proline and hydroxproline2https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen#what-it-is-and-uses and it accounts for 30% of the total protein within your body.3https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen Collagen is crucial to the body as it provides structure and support, amongst many other important roles.4https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen In total, there are 28 different types of collagen,5https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen#what-it-is-and-uses with type 1 being the most abundant.6https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen You will find type 1 collagen predominantly in bones, ligaments, tendons and skin.7https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen

As you age, your collagen quality decreases and production slows down.8https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen This is where the importance of dietary collagen comes in. Certain animal based foods, like animal bones and skin are rich sources of collagen but don’t panic, if animal bones isn’t your ‘thing’, collagen supplements are also readily available. Research shows that supplementation of collagen is very safe9https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11071580/ and can be a convenient way to boost your collagen intake.

3 ways collagen can benefit runners

  1. Bone and joint health – Bone and joint health is crucial when participating in regular exercise. In a 24-week study, athletes given a collagen supplement saw improvements in joint pain.10https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18416885/. Research has found that collagen peptides increased bone mineral density amongst postmenopausal women11https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793325/, indicating how beneficial collagen can be for our bones, especially as we age. Further research indicates collagen consumption can reduce joint pain and bone density loss.12https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26267777/
  2. Supports muscles – Post-exercise muscle soreness is a problem most people have experienced. It can vary in intensity depending on the individual and the activity performed. Soreness can easily hinder exercise routines due to the need for extended recovery time. A study found that dietary collagen intake can alleviate muscle soreness and fatigue.13https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37133292/#:~:text=crossover%20clinical%20trial-,Dietary%20collagen%20peptides%20alleviate%20exercise%2Dinduced%20muscle%20soreness%20in%20healthy,doi%3A%2010.1080%2F15502783.2023. Injuries from sport are sometimes unavoidable but knowing how to support your body to recover and repair is key. Consuming more dietary protein after an injury can promote repair and reduce muscle atrophy.14https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/29/2/article-p189.xml
  3. Cardiovascular health – Running relies on a well functioning cardiovascular system, so it’s imperative to understand how you can support your heart. Collagen is found in organs like the kidneys, liver and heart. It provides structure to blood vessels, making it an essential component of cardiovascular health. Atherosclerosis is a common condition causing narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits, making it more difficult for blood to flow, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, arterial disease, heart attack and stroke.15https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atherosclerosis/ In a 2017 study, researchers found that collagen contributed to the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in healthy individuals.16https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429168/

To learn more about this super-supplement, check out – Everything you need to know about collagen – and how to take it!

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8am to 8pm.

References

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!

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