Blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, weight loss :
Blood sugar: Collagen can improve blood sugar regulation by helping the body metabolize glucose, found in sugar and carbohydrates, without the body needing to produce more insulin (Gannon, Nuttall, & Nuttal, 2002).
Metabolic Syndrome: Collagen can improve blood sugar regulation by helping the body metabolize glucose, found in sugar and carbohydrates, without the body needing to produce more insulin (Gannon, Nuttall, & Nuttal, 2002).
This is as amino acids can have hormone-like functions (Peat, 2006). In this case, glycine can counter act the effects of excessive amounts of estrogen, which can cause inflammation; disrupt the nervous system; and contribute to metabolic syndrome (Peat, 2006).
Too much estrogen results in lipolysis, the release of fatty acid from fat cells; it makes the liver turn glucose, sugar, into fat, causing fatty acids to circulate constantly. This inhibits the oxidation of glucose for energy, causing insulin resistance and eventually hyperglycemia and diabetes (Peat 2006). Glycine, found in collagen and gelatine, helps insulin work to lower blood sugar levels. Gelatine inhibits or slows the effects of estrogen, helping make insulin more effective, lessening the likelihood of hyperglycemia (Peat, 2006).
Diabetes: Collagen can improve blood sugar regulation by helping the body metabolize glucose, found in sugar and carbohydrates, without the body needing to produce more insulin (Gannon, Nuttall, & Nuttal, 2002). Collagen can help the body regulate something called free fatty acids (Delarue, & Magnan, 2007) which contribute to insulin resistance in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes (Boden, 2002). Arginine, found in collagen, helps reduce insulin resistance and improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes, lowering the amount of insulin needed (Piatti et al, 2001). Collagen has been found to release hormones that make people feel satiated or full. So, diabetics who take collagen usually eat less and lose weight (Rubio & Castro, 2008).
Weight loss: collagen acts on the body regarding weight and apatite in several ways. It acts as an apatite suppressant as it is high in protein and because it helps balance blood sugar.
The protein in collagen has been shown to reduce apatite. Subjects in a study who took collagen with their breakfast reported consuming 20% less food at lunch (Veldhorst, et al., 2009). Collagen causes the body to release hormones that signal satiation or fullness. This reduces appetite and food intake. In short, people who take collagen eat less, so they are more likely to lose weight (Rubio & Castro, 2008). Being on a collagen rich, high protein and low glycemic diet, aids weight management in both the weight loss and maintenance fazes (Larson, et al., 2010). Collagen protein has also been found to be up to 40% more satisfying than other proteins (Hays, Kim, Wells, Kajkenova, & Evans, 2009; Veldhorst et al., 2008).
Regarding metabolic syndrome, it is suggested that taking 5 to 10 grams of gelatine or collagen when eating low fat, protein rich, muscle meat. This slows the release of tryptophan and cysteine, found in the food. Tryptophan and cysteine, when not inhibited by other amino acids like glycine, slow thyroid function and metabolism (Peat, 2006). So, by consuming collagen, or gelatine, with the meat, the tryptophan and cysteine are not absorbed too quickly, causing problems that lead to weigh gain.
Further, too much estrogen in the body can affect weight. This is important as both women going into menopause and aging men may experience increased estrogen. Too much estrogen results in lipolysis, the release of fatty acid from fat cells; it makes the liver turn glucose, sugar, into fat, causing fatty acids to circulate constantly. This inhibits the oxidation of glucose for energy, causing insulin resistance and eventually hyperglycemia and diabetes (Peat 2006).
Glycine, found in collagen and gelatine, helps insulin work to lower blood sugar levels. Gelatine inhibits or slows the effects of estrogen, helping make insulin more effective, lessening the likelihood of hyperglycemia (Peat, 2006).
The amino acid taurine is antiestrogenic and can help balance too much estrogen (Peat, 2006).
Arginine helps to burn fat (Merimee, Lillicrap, & Rabinowitz, 1965), and supports weight-reduction. It also helps lower cholesterol.
PLEASE NOTE THIS BLOG IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL ISSUE PLEASE CONTACT A QUALIFED HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.