What Happens When You Stop Collagen?
What are the symptoms of lack of collagen? :
- Skin loses elasticity. You form wrinkles and your wounds heal more slowly.
- Tendons and ligaments are stiffer. You lose flexibility.
- Muscle mass decreases. You become weaker.
- Cartilage wears down. You develop joint pain or osteoarthritis.
- Intestinal lining gets thinner.
However, cases of people taking collagen for up to six months and stopping it are expected. And it’s mainly because they have achieved the desired results, such as noticeably smoother skin, healthier hair, and leaner muscles. The question is, what happens next?
Aging: Scientific evidence indicates collagen synthesis in the body starts to slow down around the late teens to early 20s. This deterioration continues at roughly 1% per year. Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure: Sunlight is largely responsible for collagen degradation, primarily due to free radical damage on the skin cells.
The skin becomes thinner and sags more as collagen production decreases. It is also common for people to start experiencing stiffness or aches in tendons because the decrease in collagen leads to less elasticity in the tendons.
Collagen occurs naturally in the body and is a fiber protein that builds up the body’s tissues. It can be found in legs, tendons, blood vessel walls, and in the skin. About 70% of the skin consists of collagen. Collagen in the skin provides resilience, firmness, and elasticity.
What Happens If I Stop Taking Collagen Supplements? Will There Be Any Side Effects?
When you stop taking collagen supplements, there won’t be any side effects (thankfully). But, the most important thing to note is that any health benefits you may have experienced while taking the supplement will eventually fade away.
Some of you may wonder, “Does taking a collagen supplement make your body stop producing collagen on its own over time?”