Collagen is one of the most important proteins in the body. In fact, there is more of it than any other protein, and has become widely known as an ingredient in supplements to help with aging skin and other issues.
But while its importance in reducing wrinkles and giving you back that youthful complexion is fully recognized, like everything, when you fall pregnant, the question is, are you still safe to take it?
The Importance of Maintaining Health and Wellness During Pregnancy
Perhaps more than any other time in your life, maintaining a healthy life and being mindful of your own overall wellness when pregnant is more important than ever. The obvious reason for this is the baby, you need to be healthy to ensure that your baby gets the nutrients, vitamins and support it needs to grow and stay healthy inside you.
The baby is entirely reliant on your body for everything it needs, so it makes sense that the healthier you are, the better it is for your baby.
But there is another aspect to this, and that is the process of pregnancy itself. It is hard on your body, and the healthier you are, the better you can withstand the stresses and overall impact of pregnancy itself. From the changes in body shape to the mental stress that it brings, being healthy is an aid to both yourself and your baby during your pregnancy.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a powerful protein that is produced by the body and aids in a number of different functions and organs. Each different type of collagen, there are sixteen in total, does slightly different things, but collagen can be found in the skin, muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels as well as the digestive system.
It is the most commonly occurring protein in the human body, there is more of it than any other type of protein, but although the body does produce collagen itself, as we age, the amount it produces does diminish. This means that collagen levels fall as we get older, which leads to less elastic skin, causing wrinkles, issues with gut health and other issues.
This is because the benefits of collagen are far reaching, and this is especially true for pregnant women.
Rising Popularity of Collagen Supplementation and Its Potential Benefits
You will find collagen in hundreds of supplements today, and consumers are actively seeking them out. Collagen supplements can be capsules or topical creams, and several may have collagen but be health supplements aimed at other aspects of your body too.
Because collagen is used in so many body processes, lowering levels has a direct impact on many aspects of how the body functions. Some can be mild enough that we don’t always notice there is a real issue, while others can be quite dramatic.
Collagen is probably best known for being the substance that keeps skin elastic, ensuring that it looks taught and supple, but it has an impact in many areas of the body beyond that.
As a result, boosting collagen levels can lead to healthier joints, stronger bones, youthful-looking skin, healthier blood vessels and more. It is no wonder that supplements are becoming more popular.
Easy to take and proven to be effective, like the range of collagen boosting supplements from Supermood you can find at https://supermood.us/collections/collagen-peptides.
Understanding Collagen and Its Role During Pregnancy
Pregnancy puts additional strain on your body, and as a result, it needs more nutrients that usual, including protein. As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is a great way to supplement the protein in your diet when pregnant.
Collagen can also help your baby, as it is a protein rich in essential nutrients that your baby needs to develop. In addition, that well known ability of collagen, to maintain elasticity in your skin, can prove very helpful and reduce pregnancy stretch marks post birth.
Pregnancy and Nutritional Needs
The American Pregnancy Association recommends that woman who are pregnant need 75 to 100 grams of protein a day to maintain their own health and provide baby with all the nutrients they need. This is substantially more than you require when you are not pregnant, and for those who suffer from the issue of morning sickness, can be a real challenge to obtain through any kind of food diet.
However, a collagen supplement in the form of pills or powder can be a great option. With collagen rich in the most useful vitamins, it provides your body, and your baby, with the essentials needed to maintain health and ensure baby can develops safely. Those prenatal vitamin requirements are crucial in helping baby to grow and maintain a healthy pregnancy, and because collagen is also crucial in a range of body processes, can also aid in the prevention of gestational diabetes.
Safety of Collagen Supplementation During Pregnancy
Collagen is an entirely natural compound that the body produces itself. Although sometimes it can struggle with producing enough to maintain healthy levels, especially during pregnancy where you need collagen for two bodies, there is nothing unsafe or problematic about collagen when pregnant.
However, it is important to look for supplements that are clear about where the collagen comes from, that any plant ingredients are organic and that you can track your protein intake. High quality supplements contain amino acids and collagen peptides that can be quickly absorbed and help you and your baby enjoy a trouble-free pregnancy.
