Aloe Vera and Collagen
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
There are many benefits that seem to be similar when aloe vera and collagen are used as dietary supplements. This is because of the fact that aloe vera can increase the production of collagen in the body, especially in the skin. However, both are different substances and the ways they work in the body are not the same. Wanna know how they impact the body? Keep reading to learn more.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the effects of aloe vera and collagen on the body mainly in terms of their functions and potential health benefits. But before we get into how these precious substances can help promote health and beauty, it’s worth learning the basics of them a little bit more. So, let’s get started.
Table of contents
- What is aloe vera?
- What is collagen?
- Aloe vera and collagen: functions
- Aloe vera and collagen: potential benefits
- Can aloe vera and collagen be used together?
- Final words
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera or scientifically known as Aloe barbadensis miller is a succulent cactus-like plant species that has historically been used in medicine for more than 5000 years for the treatment and prevention of a range of health conditions throughout the world, especially in the countries of South East Asia, India, and China.
Aloe plant has short stems and thick leaves that store huge amounts of water molecules and form a gel. This gel is popularly known as aloe vera gel and is widely used to produce aloe vera products in several industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, food and beverages, and dietary supplements.
Aloe vera gel contains a range of biologically active compounds majorly various types of polysaccharides, plant sterols, tannins, amino acids, favorable lipids, and enzymes. The benefits people often associate with aloe vera seem to come from these natural plant compounds.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the primary protein of the human body, comprising almost one-third of the total protein content of the body and around three-quarters of the skin. It is considered the main building block of the skin, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and as well as other connective tissues in the body. It is also in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, and nearly all organs. It acts like a glue in the body that helps it hold onto all of its tissues and organs, providing the entire structure.
Aloe vera and collagen: functions
Aloe vera functions
Researchers have discovered around 160 active components so far in the gel of aloe vera leaves. It has powerful antioxidants that belong to the polyphenols it contains in particular. Since the plant stores huge amounts of water molecules in its extensively thick leaves, the gel has tremendous hydrating and moisturizing properties.
Antioxidants found in aloe vera can help protect cells, tissues, and even organs from oxidative damage induced by free radicals. Free radicals are harmful molecules that contain unpaired electrons, making them extremely unstable and reactive. These unstable molecules cause large chain reactions known as oxidation that can cause damage to cells, tissues, and organs.
By protecting cells from free radical oxidative damage, aloe vera immensely encourages new cell and tissue growth. It also has noticeable antimicrobial properties that help fight against harmful viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Finally, aloe vera has immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory actions. It can help balance the immune response, by raising or controlling it as needed, and can reduce inflammation and the symptoms associated with it such as swelling and pain.
Collagen functions
The key function of collagen is to give structure and support across the entire body. It helps fibroblast cells to create the structural framework of the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, and thus helps grow new cells. It also plays a part in exfoliating, meaning removing dead skin cells, which speeds wound healing and provides skin with a radiant and youthful appearance.
Besides, collagen plays a vital role in the clotting of the blood and thus, helps stop bleeding. It provides a protective coating for various organs and helps prevent and treat diseases. For example, when consumed orally, collagen may coat the lining of the gut and help gut issues such as leaky gut to heal faster.
Aloe vera and collagen: potential benefits
Potential benefits of aloe vera
- Stimulates the production of collagen and helps fight skin aging
- Helps protect the skin from sun damage
- Reduces wrinkles and dark spots due to anti-aging actions
- Supports digestion and improves bowel functions
- Helps treat anal fissures
- Reduces inflammation
- Helps treat herpes sores and canker sores
- Helps treat skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and skin abrasions
- Helps combat infections caused by bacteria or viruses
- Speeds up wound healing
- Helps treat dental plaques
- Helps control blood sugar and pressure levels
Potential benefits of collagen
- Provides skin structure and helps improve its texture and elasticity
- Promotes healthy bones and joints
- Helps balance hormone levels
- Promotes restful sleep and enhances energy levels
- Improves hair and nail health
- Increases muscle mass
- Helps keep blood sugar levels in check
- Boosts cognitive functions
Can aloe vera and collagen be used together?
Aloe vera and collagen can work more efficiently when used together. This is the reason why many dietary supplements contain both of them together to reap the benefits in the most possible way. But it’s important to check with a qualified natural medicine practitioner to determine safety precautions.
Final words
Both aloe vera and collagen play an essential role in many bodily functions including protection, digestion, detoxification, and healing. They offer many similar benefits especially when it comes to skin health. In some cases, they may work well synergistically and help the body work more efficiently to heal from within.
However, it depends on how a person’s specific health condition responds to determine which one will help more or whether they can be used together for better results. Consider consulting a certified nutritionist or naturopathic healthcare provider to help you determine which one is right for your specific condition.
Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Aloe Vera Capsules
Here you can see Vorst’s specially formulated Salmon Collagen With Vitamin C Capsules
Important resources:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318591#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-aloe-vera
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/aloe-vera-what-should-i-know-about-it-89401
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/alternative-health/potential-health-benefits-of-aloe-vera/
- https://fitnessista.com/collagen-how-to-use-it-benefits-and-why-i-love-it/
- https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-collagen
- https://bluebirdprovisions.co/blogs/news/benefits-collagen
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/collagen-health-benefits
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen
- https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-plant-sterols-derived-from-aloe-vera-gel-on-human-dermal-fi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
- https://yoursuper.com/pages/aloe-vera-benefits
- https://www.herbaldynamicsbeauty.com/blogs/herbal-dynamics-beauty/aloe-vera-skin-benefits#:~:text=Aloe%20vera%20has%20been%20shown,about%20everywhere%20in%20the%20body.