Protein is most often associated with building muscles and athletics. However, many people don’t realize that protein is responsible for all cells’ structure and strength. This includes our skin. Therefore, protein can be used as a means to create healthier skin. Some even say it will make your skin glow.
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Collagen is a protein
The majority of our skin is made up of what is known as collagen. While you are probably familiar with the term “collagen,” you may not realize that collagen is actually a protein. In fact, collagen is the main component of all connective tissue and makes up 25%-35% of the body’s total protein.
Collagen is so vital to skin that it is the main compound used in cosmetic surgery for burn victims and for critical wound healing.
Collagen Supplements
Collagen supplements have been used in several studies to show that consuming 2.5-5.0 of collagen daily could increase skin health and contribute to a youthful complexion. Collagen protein powder supplements also exist on the market today, much like whey protein powder. These have been shown to also increase muscle mass.
However, one problem with collagen is that it is not digested as easily as whey protein. This can lead to bloating and indigestion. The other problem for some is that collagen is made from ground-up cow and fish parts. This may prove to be unappealing to some.
Does Whey protein help skin?
Whey protein can also play a large part in skin health. For example, burn victims should consume 1.5-2.0 grams per kilogram of bodyweight. This is the same amount that intense weight-lifters and athletes consume. The difference is that burn victims need the extra protein solely for repair of their skin.
Some people even swear by making a whey bath! They will add 1-2 scoops of protein to a bath and simply soak in it.
This may sound crazy, but it might not be as strange as you think. Whey protein is one active ingredient in several of the mega-company Clinique’s popular skin products. There are also numerous patents for using whey in skincare products.
Using whey protein is reported to increase natural collagen production and elastin. This adds the “stretchiness” to healthy skin, while also adding volume.
Whey gives some people negative skin side effects
It should be noted that some people report worse skin health after using whey protein. This is due to its ability to increase the hormone IGF-1 and the secretion of sebum. Both of these are linked to acne outbreaks. However, this seems to be highly individualistic and depends on your response and sensitivity.
Basically, either you get it, or you don’t.
Fortunately, reports of either better skin or no change in skin greatly outweigh negative reports. Plus, if it does cause worsening skin health, you can just stop!
- Should i get 50g of protein a day good?
- Why is drinking a protein shake in the morning a good idea?
- How do heat and cold affect protein shakes?
FAQs about protein and the skin
Does it matter when I eat protein?
For skin health, timing doesn’t seem to be a factor. However, in general, you should try to eat some protein every 3-4 hours.
Are amino acids good for skin?
Most studies done have used whole protein, either collagen or whey, to measure the effects on the skin’s condition, so stick with those
How long does it take to see skin improvements when taking collagen?
It is highly dependent on the person. However, anecdotally, many people report seeing initial signs of improvement after 2-4 weeks. However, think of this as a long game. Once you start to see progress, you can then maintain them. This is in contrast to collagen injections, which are temporary fixes that require you to go back.
Final thoughts
It seems that whey protein and collagen can possibly have positive effects on skin. However, these responses are highly individualistic so you will just need to experiment.
User comment about protein and skin
Do You Eat A Lot Of Protein And Have Nice Skin?
When you hear someone say that they eat a lot of protein and they have nice skin, what is supposed to be true? Well, it actually can be true for some people, but not for everyone. There are certain things that people need to watch out for when they want to eat a lot of protein. This article will help you understand what these things are.
Let us start with fats. Most people think that fat is bad, but in reality, fats are good if they are the right kind of fats. For instance, unsaturated fats are great for your body because they neutralize different things that may cause bad effects on your body.
Some examples of these foods include red meat, cheese, cream, butter, coconut oil, etc. If you take these foods and try to eat them without eating too much fat, you may get a side effect such as heart disease. Instead of taking these foods, you should replace them with saturated fat. By doing this you can be sure to have a more healthy lifestyle.
Another thing that people often say when they say that they eat a lot of protein is that their body is able to burn fat. This is not always the case however. Your body cannot burn fat at the same rate as it can burn muscle tissue. In order to burn fat you need to eat more protein than muscle. If you eat a lot of protein and you do not have a lot of muscle, you will probably have a toned or defined body instead of an overweight one.
