Everything You Need to Know About Collagen

Collagen is one of the most important structural proteins present in our bodies. Ever wonder why aging causes wrinkles and other skin issues?

You have guessed it right! It is declining levels of collagen that causes the skin to loosen up and affects your appearance.

Collagen is extremely crucial not only for maintaining the skin but also for maintaining several other functions in the human body.

Let’s take a look at why collagen is important and its role in maintaining youthful skin and body.

What is collagen?

Collagen accounts for about 30% of the total proteins present in your body. This structural protein plays a major role in maintaining the skin, muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, and other similar structures.

To make collagen the body utilizes three main amino acids called proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. When these amino acids are grouped, collagen is formed.

The main function of collagen is to keep several structures in the body intact and maintain their strength and support these structures effectively.

Keeping the skin elasticity intact, maintaining healthy cartilage, maintaining healthy muscles, and several other factors are dependent on this structural protein.

Let’s take a further look at the types of collagen and why it is important for health and well-being.

Types Of Collagen:

The body consists of 28 different forms of collagen present in the human body. However, five main types of collagen play an important role in maintaining several functions in the body.

All of these carry out different functions in the body. You can find the five main types of collagen along with their functions listed below:

• Type I: Collagen Type I accounts for 90% of the total collagen present in your body. Type I collagen is important for maintaining the structure of your skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.
  
  
• Type II: Collagen Type II supports one of the most important parts of our bodies. This part is the cartilage which is present in the joints. Type II is important for maintaining the elasticity of the cartilage and maintaining smooth movements of your joints.
  
  
• Type III: Collagen Type III is important for maintaining the health and well-being of the arteries, muscles, and some organs in the body. It is crucial as it keeps the functions of the arteries and the muscles intact.
  
  
• Type IV: Collagen Type IV is commonly found in the outermost layers of the skin. It is important for maintaining several functions of the skin as well as its health.
  
  
• Type V: Collagen Type V is one of the most important types of collagen. It is found in the cornea of the eyes and is extremely crucial for maintaining its health. Other parts where Type V collagen is found include skin, hair, and other similar structures in the body.

Importance of Collagen

As we have seen so far, collagen is important for maintaining several functions in the body.

Notice how different the skin gets as people age? This is because the levels of collagen tend to decline as you age.

Collagen is important for making the tissues, bones, muscles, ligaments, and other parts of the body strong and keeps them intact.

This is why individuals also face issues with the joints, muscles, and other similar problems that affect their functioning. The protein is used to make connective tissues in the body.

These connective tissues are responsible for keeping the bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage connected enabling these parts to function smoothly. Additionally, the body gives out signs when levels of collagen in the body get low.

What causes a decline in Collagen levels?

The body goes through many changes throughout our lives. The most common factors causing a decline in collagen levels include aging, health conditions, hormonal changes, and much more.

Environmental toxins, inflammation, oxidative stress, and several other factors also cause the levels of collagen to drop. This decline is common and is experienced by a majority of the population.

Collagen supplementation and other treatments have been increasing as a way to deal with these declining levels naturally.

What are the uses of Collagen?

Collagen supplementation has taken over the medical and cosmetic industries. It can be supplied to the body using external procedures as well as via supplementation. Here are some of the most common uses of Collagen:

• Collagen as skin fillers are used for enhancing the appearance of the skin. It helps individuals to get rid of wrinkles, dark spots, and other skin issues that may affect their appearance.
  
  
• Collagen is the number one cure for treating osteoarthritis. As we know, this is a condition characterized by weakened bones and cartilage. Thus, using supplements has been a go-to treatment option for many individuals suffering from arthritis.
  
  
• Collagen is also used for rejuvenating the skin using surgical treatments, fillers, creams, and other similar products.

Collagen uses have been emerging as more research and understanding of the benefits of collagen have been uncovered by scientists.

Can you increase the levels of Collagen naturally?

Yes, one can increase the levels of collagen naturally. Lifestyle habits make a great contribution to both decline or normal levels of collagen.

Studies suggest that lifestyle habits, smoking, UV radiation, and eating foods high in sugar and carbs cause the levels of collagen to drop.

On the other hand, it is possible to boost the levels of collagen using foods high in vitamin C, proline, glycine, copper, and zinc as these are the building blocks for collagen.

Using collagen supplements that provide collagen obtained from natural sources is also a great way to improve collagen levels in the b body.

Benefits of Collagen

• It improves the health of your skin.
• It improves the health and well-being of your cartilage.
• It may also eliminate joint pain.
• It strengthens your bones and eliminates the risk of bone loss.
• It boosts muscle mass.
• It is great for hair and nails.
• And much more.

Conclusion

To sum up, Collagen is extremely important for supporting youthful glow and energy in individuals.

Although collagen loss is triggered by several causes, there is no need to worry as several collagen treatments, natural supplements, and medical and cosmetic procedures are available for restoring the levels of collagen.

Individuals can also adopt healthy habits and eat nutritious food to boost collagen production naturally.

 

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835901/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824545/