What are Peptides Used For? A Guide to Collagen Peptides and Fitness

Did you know that almost 80% of U.S. citizens use supplements on a daily basis? Most of these supplements are used for increased energy and stamina, but a large group of people started to use peptides these days.

What are peptides used for? These are increasingly popular supplements that help muscle growth and promote better skin. Collagen peptides are some of the most appreciated types of peptides out there. When to use collagen peptides? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know in this article.

What Are Collagen Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can be naturally found in the human body. Think about them as the little brothers of proteins. Peptides are also useful in the production of various hormones that maintain your health and wellbeing.

There are many types of peptides out there. Collagen peptides are very popular as they increase the production of collagen in the body. If you didn’t know already, collagen is one of the most abundant types of proteins in the human body.

Collagen gives elasticity to the skin and makes it look beautiful and shiny. Collagen also keeps your joints and ligaments healthy. Supplementing with collagen peptides can bring a plethora of benefits and this can be done at almost any age.

What Are Peptides Used for and What Are Their Benefits?

Peptides aren’t only found in the human body. They are also present in various animal and plant sources. Scientists and experts have found ways to isolate these peptides and sell them as supplements to support a healthy lifestyle.

Here are the benefits of using collagen peptides and other types of peptides regularly.

They Are Great for Muscle Performance and Recovery

When you work out, muscle fibers break down at a microscopic level. This is normal and the process is called muscle catabolism. Your body requires a lot of nutrients and sleep to build back those muscle fibers. 

When this happens, the new muscle fibers are stronger and the process is called muscular anabolism. Peptides and proteins play a vital role in this growing more muscle mass. If you don’t provide your body with enough resources, your performance and results will be diminished.

Peptides can enhance your muscle growth because they provide the necessary amino acids to stimulate this process. At the same time, peptides can also stimulate the production of other hormones that make your body increase its muscle mass.

Finally, peptides can also help with muscle recovery. The recovery period can last between a few hours to a few days, depending on the intensity of your workout, what you eat afterwards, etc. By taking peptides regularly, you can get back in the gym quicker and build muscle mass faster.

Collagen Peptides Can Reduce Wrinkles

One of the most popular types of aging signs is the apparition of wrinkles. You might see fine wrinkles at first, but these usually don’t go away on their own. Excessive sun and wind exposure can also increase the number of wrinkles you have on your face.

Wrinkles appear because less collagen is present in the skin of your face. Collagen is an essential nutrient that keeps your skin elastic and beautiful. As you grow older, the body’s collagen production naturally decreases.

By taking collagen peptides, you are stimulating your body to produce more collagen. This means that your skin will have a firmer appearance. In a couple of weeks, you might see your fine wrinkles and skin impurities disappear.

Collagen is naturally present in a lot of foods, but it’s more convenient to take it as a supplement. A small dose of a few grams of collagen peptides per day is usually enough for most people to erase fine lines and wrinkles from their skin.

Collagen Peptides Might Keep Skin Bacteria and Microbes Away

Your skin has a natural defense mechanism against bacteria and microbes. This is helpful to keep impurities and viruses from attacking your body. However, this mechanism can get stronger or weaker, depending on how many nutrients your body has.

Luckily, it has been found that collagen peptides can improve this barrier and help you keep microbes and bacteria at bay. These peptides can improve your immune system and facilitate the production of white blood cells.

As you know already, white blood cells are the first line of defense against viruses and infections. Taking a few grams of collagen peptides a day can strengthen your skin barrier and eliminate skin imperfections.

At the same time, your skin will develop fewer infections over the years. This means fewer zits, bumps, and other skin problems. 

Peptides Can Support Your Joints and Ligaments

When it comes to bodybuilding and working out, most people focus on muscles. This is the right thing to do because the muscles are some of the most visible and attractive parts of the body. However, they are also supported by joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Your joints also require a lot of nutrients to stay healthy. For example, omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids are some of the most beneficial nutrients for your tendons and ligaments. You can take them as a supplement or by eating seafood.

Collagen peptides and other types of peptides also support healthy joints. This means that you will be able to perform various physical exercises without complaining of joint pain. You will also benefit from an improved range of motion as joints and ligaments play a vital role in how well you can move your limbs.

Overall, collagen peptides can promote a faster healing rate for your joints and ligaments. This helps you focus on your training and avoid injuries. 

Collagen Peptides Might Reduce Your Acne

Acne can affect most people, not only teenagers at puberty. This type of skin imperfection can be very troublesome in certain cases. Acne issues can spread all over the face, neck, and even your hands.

This usually happens when you eat a lot of fatty foods. At the same time, acne can be amplified by excessive bacteria at the surface of your skin. As mentioned earlier, collagen peptides can build a stronger barrier against these bacteria and microbes.

As a result, these peptides can reduce your acne problems and even eliminate them completely. This happens because the peptides are naturally cleaning your skin from bacteria. If you also switch to a healthier diet with less fatty foods, your acne issues will diminish considerably.

Peptides Can Decrease Inflammation in the Body

Inflammation is one of the worst enemies you can have. Acute inflammation is good and it triggers your body to fight diseases and viruses. Chronic inflammation is not good and it can lead to a wide variety of life-threatening diseases including diabetes type 2, celiac disease, and more.

Gym goers, professional athletes, and bodybuilders also struggle with constant body inflammation. By reducing it, you are shortening your healing and recovery time. Some people take medication to reduce inflammation, but collagen peptides and other types of peptides are better in this case.

By providing your body with more amino acids and nutrients, it can fight chronic inflammation easier. You can verify this with the help of blood tests. Doctors look at certain inflammation biomarkers before coming up with a diagnosis. 

You should do an inflammation test before and after taking collagen peptides for a few weeks. You might be surprised by the improvements you can reap. Reducing your chronic inflammation will prevent life-threatening diseases and potentially prolong your life.

Collagen Peptides Might Improve Bone Density

Although more research is needed, some studies indicate that collagen peptides can be efficient in strengthening your bones. As you know already, bone density is a key factor when it comes to fractures and osteoporosis.

As you age, you gradually lose bone density. This means that your bones become more fragile. A simple slip-and-fall accident can lead to painful fractures if your bones are weak. You can increase bone density by lifting weights as well as taking collagen peptides.

This type of peptides has a tendency to increase bone density in people of all ages. This happens because it stimulates more effective calcium metabolism. Your body becomes better at using calcium to strengthen your bones throughout your entire body.

Most people take a few grams of collagen peptides per day. You can have this habit as well and observe marked increases in bone density in just a few months. However, it’s necessary to maintain this habit for a long time to enjoy stronger bones for the rest of your life.

You Can Start Using Collagen Peptides Today!

As you can see, this article tackled a lot of problems when it comes to what are peptides used for and what are their benefits. Collagen peptides are some of the most useful types of supplements you can take today.

Make sure that you include them in your daily supplementation routine to slow down aging and significantly boost your fitness performance.

If you like to learn and want to know more about peptides before buying them then check out our blog articles. We cover peptides and other supplements in great detail to help you make a more informed decision.