In the competitive world of sports, teenage athletes face unique physical demands. Their bodies are not only adjusting to rigorous training schedules but also undergoing rapid growth and development.
Incorporating collagen supplements into their daily regimen can provide a significant boost to their overall health and performance.* Collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, plays a vital role in maintaining various bodily functions.
This blog post will explore the numerous benefits of collagen supplements for teenage athletes and why Yonder Clean collagen supplements are a top choice.
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Hi, we're Sheri and Gina of Yonder! Our passion and goal is to help inform and inspire you to live your healthiest and best life. We believe that God has created our bodies for His good works, and we honor Him by keeping them healthy and capable of fulfilling His purpose. Our bodies are designed to heal and function optimally when given what they need. With so much information coming at us, we aim to cut through the noise and provide you with the essential information to help your body run at its best.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a structural protein comprising 25-35% of our body's total protein content. It provides structure and support to tissues such as skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments [1].
It also plays a crucial role in the health of organs like the heart and lungs.
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, resulting in visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles, joint pain, and weaker bones [2].
However, for teenage athletes still growing and developing, collagen is essential for maintaining healthy bones and joints and supporting muscle growth.*
What's the Difference Between Collagen and Collagen Peptides?
Collagen is a large protein molecule, which can be somewhat challenging for the human body to digest and absorb in its whole form.
This is where collagen peptides come into play. Collagen peptides are simply collagen proteins that have been hydrolyzed — that is, broken down into smaller, more easily digestible, and absorbable forms.
This process maintains all the beneficial properties of collagen while making it more user-friendly for your body.
The key benefit of collagen peptides lies in their enhanced higher bioavailability.
Because they are smaller and more easily absorbed, your body can effectively use them to support healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints [3].
This means you can enjoy all the health benefits of collagen more efficiently.
Collagen peptides are a highly accessible form of collagen, delivering all-important amino acids directly to where your body needs them most.
To learn more about collagen, read this blog: Collagen vs Collagen Peptides: The Differences and Benefits
What's the Difference Between Collagen Hydrolysate and Collagen Peptides
In essence, collagen hydrolysate (also called hydrolyzed collagen) and collagen peptides are terms often used interchangeably. Both refer to collagen that has undergone the hydrolysis process to break down the proteins into more bioavailable peptides.
The main difference lies in the terminology. At the same time, "collagen peptides" highlights the focus on the smaller peptide chains, and "collagen hydrolysate" emphasizes the process - hydrolysis - that transforms whole collagen into these readily absorbable forms.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. These shorter chains of amino acids make it easier for your body to digest and absorb the collagen.
Do Teenagers Need Collagen?
Since there is an abundant amount of collagen in children and teenagers, why should they take collagen supplements?
While teenagers naturally produce collagen, the demands of vigorous physical activity can deplete these levels more quickly.
Engaging in sports stresses their joints and muscles, making it essential to support their bodies with proper nutrition.
Collagen supplements can significantly contribute to faster recovery from workouts and injuries, enhance joint health, and support the growth of strong muscles and bones [4] [5].*
Additionally, by incorporating collagen into their routine, young athletes can foster optimal physical development while also promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails—a benefit that appeals to many adolescents [6].*
This not only helps them excel in their athletic pursuits but also instills a sense of well-being and confidence as they navigate their teenage years.
9 Benefits of Collagen Supplements for Teenage Athletes
Joint Health
Maintaining healthy joints is crucial for teenage athletes who engage in high-impact sports.
Collagen, a key component of connective tissue, supports joint health by keeping joints flexible and resilient [7].*
Supplementing collagen peptides helps strengthen ligaments and tendons, which can reduce the risk of joint pain and injuries.*
Essential amino acids found in collagen, such as glycine and proline, play a significant role in the body's healing process, allowing young athletes to perform dynamic movements with ease.
By supporting joint health, collagen supplementation can enables teenagers to train more effectively and compete at higher levels without the fear of debilitating injuries.
Improved Recovery Times
Even with the best preventative measures, injuries do happen.
Collagen's ability to repair and rebuild the body makes it an invaluable tool for injury recovery [8].*
Balancing intense training with school and other activities can be challenging for teenage athletes.
Collagen supplements offer a solution by speeding up recovery times. The amino acids in collagen are crucial for repairing muscle tissues and reducing inflammation after strenuous workouts, leading to significant improvements in recovery.
Faster recovery means less downtime and more time spent excelling in their chosen sports.
Collagen protein powder can be an excellent addition to a teenager's diet, ensuring they get enough protein for optimal recovery and lean muscle mass growth.
Enhanced Skin Health
The impact of environmental stressors and energy-intensive training on teenage athletes' skin can be significant.
Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining skin elasticity and hydration, which are critical for healthy and youthful skin [9].
By supplementing with collagen, young athletes can improve their skin health, boosting their confidence both on and off the field.
Collagen-rich foods and supplements can help mitigate the aging process and maintain the skin's structural integrity, providing long-term benefits for skin health.
Collagen peptides are a great addition to support skin hydration. Clinical studies on collagen supplementation and skin moisture show that regular use can increase hydration levels.
Related blog: The Science of Hydration: Why Hydration Matters More Than You Think
Overall Athletic Performance
Collagen contributes to muscle mass, muscle strength, and overall athletic performance [10] [11].*
By enhancing agility, speed, and endurance, collagen supplements help build a more competitive and robust physique.
Different types of collagen, particularly Type I and Type III, are essential for maintaining strong bones and muscles, which are critical for teen athletes.
Including collagen in their diet can lead to significant improvements in their performance, making them more competitive in their respective sports.
Supporting Growth and Development
Teenage athletes are in a critical growth phase, requiring adequate nutrients to support their development.
Collagen, being a structural protein, provides the building blocks of proteins necessary for bones, cartilage, and muscle growth.
Collagen peptide supplements can mitigate risks associated with rapid growth and high physical demands, ensuring that young athletes develop strong and healthy bodies.
The presence of vitamin C in their diet can enhance collagen synthesis, further supporting their growth and development.
Related Blog: How to Maximize Your Collagen Benefits: with Vitamin C
Maintaining Healthy Bones and Muscles
Strong bones and muscles are essential for teenage athletes to excel in their sports.
Collagen plays an important role in maintaining bone density and muscle health. It supports the mineral density of bones, potentially reducing the risk of stress fractures [12].*
Additionally, collagen aids in the maintenance of lean body mass and muscle strength, contributing to overall athletic performance.
Consuming collagen products regularly can provide the necessary nutrients to protect against injuries and support long-term bone health.*
Promotes Better Sleep
Collagen supplements are linked to clearer skin, faster recovery times, increased lean muscle mass, improved weight management, and better sleep.*
The glycine in collagen cools the body down by improving circulation, which can result in deeper, more restful sleep [13].
As a result, teenage athletes can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day's challenges with renewed energy.
Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being, making collagen supplementation an excellent choice for young athletes.
Highly Absorbable
Yonder collagen is easy for young bodies to absorb quickly. The collagen peptides are broken down into their most digestible and bioavailable form, enabling the body to utilize the collagen more efficiently and maximize its benefits.
Our hydrolyzed grass-fed collagen is easy to incorporate into your athlete's daily routine. Simply add 10-20 grams to your favorite beverage (hot or cold) daily for the best results.
Are you looking for ideas on how to incorporate collagen into your daily routine for better health?
Read this post: 9 Ways to Use Yonder Collagen
Safe for Daily Consumption
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body, making our collagen supplements safe for all ages when consumed daily. We pride ourselves on transparency, offering only natural and high-quality ingredients in our products.
Yonder glyphosate-free collagen exceeds the strict Prop 65 Regulations and falls well under the tolerable limits for heavy metals and pesticides set by the FDA. Manufactured in a certified Organic, cGMP, NSF, and UL-certified facility, you can trust that our collagen is safe for consumption.
Combine our grass-fed collagen with a vitamin C-rich whole-food diet for optimal results.
For instance, vitamin C acts as a catalyst for collagen. Incorporating vitamin C-rich foods, such as oranges, into a healthy diet can enhance the effectiveness of the collagen consumed.
While you don't need to take vitamin C and hydrolyzed collagen simultaneously, having a daily vitamin C intake is beneficial to maximize collagen's potential.
What Is The Downside of Taking Collagen?
As with anything, some people may experience mild digestive discomfort when trying new supplements, including collagen.
The upside is that collagen has amino acids that help to feed the good bacteria in your gut, which aids in the overall health of your gut flora.
In particular, collagen contains glycine, proline, and glutamine—amino acids known to support gut health by strengthening the gut lining and reducing inflammation. These benefits can help improve digestion and promote a balanced microbiome over time.*
If your teenager is sensitive, you may want to begin with a smaller dose and gradually increase to the suggested amount. That being said, collagen is generally well tolerated, with few reported side effects.
Best Collagen for Young Athletes
When choosing the best collagen for young athletes, it's essential to look for high-quality sources that are specifically formulated to meet their unique needs.
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are particularly beneficial due to their superior absorption and bioavailability, ensuring that young bodies receive the maximum nutritional support.
Opt for collagen derived from 100% pasture raised healthy cows that are grass-fed & finished sources for a cleaner product, as this not only promotes sustainable farming practices but also ensures the absence of harmful additives.
Best Collagen Supplements
Finding the best form of collagen for your needs can significantly enhance the benefits of this powerful supplement.
When incorporating collagen into your diet, it’s important to note that not all collagen supplements are created equal.
Collagen hydrolysate is a hydrolyzed form of collagen — meaning the protein is broken down into smaller molecular chains called collagen peptides. Uptake of these smaller peptides is much easier for your body than the original large protein.
Collagen supplements that aren’t hydrolyzed are too big to be absorbed effectively.
However, if collagen is hydrolyzed, your small intestine easily absorbs the smaller collagen peptides and amino acids into the bloodstream.
Studies show that when hydrolyzed, the collagen absorption process can occur within an hour! Once in the bloodstream, it’s distributed exactly where it needs to go!
Read the blog: How We Source and Make Our Collagen: Our Commitment to Quality
Final Thoughts
Collagen supplements offer a wide range of health benefits for teenage athletes, from improving joint health and speeding up recovery times to enhancing skin health and overall athletic performance.*
The best collagen supplements, like Yonder clean collagen, use high-quality ingredients to ensure that young athletes receive the best support for their bodies. Incorporating collagen into their routine can lead to significant improvements in their performance and long-term health.
If you're looking to boost your teen athlete's performance and overall health, consider incorporating Yonder clean collagen supplements into your young athlete's routine.
Visit our FAQ page to learn more about our collagen products and how they can benefit your young athlete.
Shop Yonder Clean Collagen Products today:
- Grass-Fed & Pasture Raised Collagen (Chocolate)
- Creamy Vanilla Collagen Protein
- Grass-fed Collagen Peptides (Flavorless)
We're Sheri and Gina, the founders of Yonder, a clean collagen company born from our childhood friendship and shared health struggles. Through our faith and dedication to natural wellness, we discovered the transformative power of clean nutritional ingredients, including pure collagen peptides. Now, we want to share this with you. Trust in our firsthand experience and join us on the path to optimal wellness with Yonder - pure, clean, and potent. To learn more about our story and mission, visit our 'Our Story' page.
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