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- Thyroid function can be hindered by amino acids found in common protein sources, such as meat. Collagen provides eight essential amino acids that help meet the body’s protein needs without blocking the thyroid.
- Collagen provides an abundant source of glycine for the body. This glycine blocks the compound endotoxin in the body, and as a result, boosts the levels of active thyroid in the body.
- Too much cortisol can damage the body and harm your thyroid. Researchers have discovered that glycine lowers the levels of cortisol in the blood. Collagen provides the needed glycine to do just that.
- A protein deficit in the body can lead to the decreased production of thyroid hormones. Supplementing with Further Food Collagen provides 7 grams of protein per serving and eight of the nine essential amino acids. When patients with protein malnutrition received amino acids supplements, their thyroid returned to normal.
- Reduced collagen synthesis as a result of low thyroid hormone will lead to weaker tendons and increased susceptibility to injury. Adding a collagen supplement provides strength and elasticity to tendons, joints and ligaments.
- Collagen counters the dry, wrinkled skin, brittle nails, hair loss and slower wound healing caused by hypothyroidism.
- Collagen reduces the joint pain and stiffness caused by hypothyroidism.
7 Ways Collagen and the Thyroid Interact: Boost Thyroid Function
An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from thyroid disease or imbalances. And many more have thyroid problems that are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed or undiscovered. While many people take a thyroid hormone replacement, this is not the only answer. Supplementing daily with collagen is a natural way to boost your thyroid and heal the body from the damage of low thyroid levels, whether you have been diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction or not. Here’s 7 ways collagen can boost your thyroid function for the better.
Our thyroid is an important gland that serves as the body’s master regulator of metabolism, growth and development, heart rate and body temperature. We need to keep our thyroid healthy to maintain enough energy and ensure proper cognitive and brain function throughout our lives.
Adding collagen is a great way to boost thyroid health, whether or not you have a diagnosed thyroid condition. Not only does collagen provide several thyroid benefits, but collagen supplementation also supports the healing of the skin, nails, gut, joints and ligaments, which may be damaged when the thyroid is not functioning properly.
Here are 7 ways supplementing with collagen can improve your thyroid and overall health.
1. Collagen protein provides important and balanced amino acids.
Eating too much meat can lead to an imbalance in the types of amino acids in our body, which can impede thyroid hormone production (That’s not good!). Meat has high levels of the amino acids tryptophan and cysteine, which is especially problematic for maintaining thyroid health. Collagen protein contains no tryptophan and very little cysteine, but provides eight other essential amino acids that help meet the body’s protein needs without blocking any function1
2. Collagen provides an abundant source of glycine which can block a common compound that inhibits thyroid function.
Our immune systems are constantly defending against bacteria by breaking it down. During the breakdown process, an unhealthy compound called endotoxin is released. Endotoxin activates inflammatory signals, which can lead to dramatically lower thyroid levels as well as cause autoimmune diseases of the thyroid, including Hashimoto’s disease. To remedy this, scientists have found that treatment with glycine, the most abundant amino acid in collagen, can block the signaling pathway of endotoxin and prevent its effect on the thyroid. Collagen provides an abundant source of glycine to block endotoxin and boost levels of active thyroid hormones in the body2.
3. Glycine in collagen helps to reduce stress hormones that interfere with your thyroid.
Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, prompts our bodies stress response. In the short term, this is beneficial, but elevated cortisol levels for long periods of time can damage the body. This overproduction of cortisol can lead to adrenal fatigue, which occurs frequently in those with thyroid dysfunction. Additionally, too much cortisol has been shown to damage the liver. Researchers have discovered that supplementing with glycine helps to lower the levels of cortisol in the blood. Collagen contains high amounts of glycine which helps to reduce unhealthy levels of cortisol and promotes thyroid function3.
4. Collagen provides a nutritious source of protein that can promote proper thyroid function.
Not consuming enough protein can lead to decreased production of thyroid hormones, according to a study published by the Journal of Metabolism. Additionally, studies have shown frequent soy protein consumption can lead to hypothyroidism. With 7 grams of protein per serving and 18 amino acids including 8 essential amino acids, collagen protein is a more nutritious alternative to soy-based protein powders. This ensures that your body receives enough daily protein for proper thyroid function4.
5. Adding collagen helps to strengthen the tendons.
A 2014 study showed that thyroid hormone directly regulates synthesis of type 1 collagen in tendons. When we have low thyroid hormone, this leads to reduced collagen synthesis, weaker tendons and increased susceptibility to injury. Another recent study measured the effects of the daily intake of collagen peptides on the structure of the Achilles tendon, finding a significant increase in collagen fiber diameter. Extra protein can help provide strength and elasticity in our tendons, joints and ligaments, which is particularly important in those with low thyroid hormone5,6.
6. Collagen counters the dry, wrinkled skin, brittle nails, hair loss and slower wound healing caused by hypothyroidism.
The thyroid gland secretes two hormones, T3 and T4, that regulate metabolism and affect the amount of moisture in our skin. Overproduction or underproduction of these hormones from hypo- or hyperthyroidism can impact the health of your skin. Hypothyroidism leads to dry skin, brittle nails and can cause premature onset of wrinkles. Daily collagen supplementation has been clinically proven to increase skin elasticity and hydration, as well as reducing wrinkles.
Additionally, the growth of hair follicles is dependent on the collagen matrix in the dermal layer of our skin. Without adequate collagen, we can suffer from thinning and loss of hair as the total number and thickness of hair follicles is reduced. Supplementing with collagen can help in addressing hair loss caused by hypothyroidism7.
7. Collagen reduces the joint pain and stiffness caused by hypothyroidism.
Many affected from reduced thyroid function suffer from stiff and painful joints. Collagen has been clinically proven to reduce joint pain and stiffness. In one trial, patients receiving 5-7 grams of collagen hydrolysate daily for 1-6 months demonstrated a 70 percent response rate for significant or noticeable improvement in joint pain. Collagen can keep the joints healthy and pain free.
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