This article will explain what collagen is, its uses, and the benefits and side effects of collagen use.
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body. There are
The most common type of collagen, type I, is flexible, strong, and stretchy.
Where is collagen found in the body?
Collagen is found in the:
- connective tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, bone, skin
- cartilage of your joints and the discs between your vertebrae
- soft tissues, such as your liver, bone marrow, and spleen
- tissues that need to stretch such as your aorta, lungs, skin, and vocal cords
In your body, collagen acts like scaffolding and plays a role in healing and tissue formation. Some types of collagen also play a part in your immune system.
People also use collagen in the cosmetic, medical, and dental industries.
Collagen contributes to skin appearance, joint health, and tissue healing.
Skin care
Collagen works both as a moisturizer to lock water into your skin and as a hydrator to pump water into the skin. As a result, manufacturers often include it in topical cosmetic products like face creams and serums that reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
Joint pain
A 2018 study showed that taking supplements that combined collagen, vitamins, and antioxidants significantly increased skin elasticity in participants. The supplement also significantly reduced joint pain and improved joint mobility.
Medicine
In medicine, collagen use can treat a number of conditions such as:
- chronic wounds
- burns
- ulcers
- plastic, reconstructive, and general surgery to encourage tissue growth
While there are no side effects associated with taking collagen supplements, manufacturers include vitamins, antioxidants, and other active ingredients that could cause a reaction in some people.
Collagen sources include foods that contain high amounts of collagen, supplements, and cosmetic products.
Foods
Foods that are high in collagen
marine life Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source , such as fish skin and bones- chicken skin
- bone broth
Supplements
Collagen supplements that contain hydrolyzed collagen peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants are available as powder and pills.
Since the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate collagen supplements as strictly drugs, ensure that a third-party organization, such as NSP, USP, and ConsumerLab, has tested your supplement choice for safety and contaminants.
Products
A
Fillers that combine
You can start to lose your stores of collagen between
You can lose collagen through the natural process of aging, consuming foods low in nutrients, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption.
Aging
By the time you reach 50 years old, you can lose
Diet
A diet high in food products that contain advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)
Smoking
A
- forehead wrinkles
- crow’s feet
- under-eye puffiness
- hollowness around tear ducts
- nose-to-mouth wrinkles
- thinner lips
It seems that the free radicals generated by smoking damage your skin’s repair mechanism. The impaired production of collagen leads to premature effects of skin aging.
Drinking
The same
Sun exposure
Exposure to ultraviolet sun rays
While your levels of collagen naturally diminish with age, you can take the following steps to prevent a rapid loss of collagen:
- Diet: Foods that are high in antioxidants can maintain skin appearance. Try to add fruit such as apricots, mangoes, passion fruit, and vegetables such as carrots, red pepper, and tomatoes to your diet. Foods high in the antioxidant vitamin C also help with skin appearance, such as citrus fruits, kiwi, spinach, and kale.
- Try to avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption: Both smoking and heavy alcohol consumption can lead to skin damage.
- Sun exposure: Try to use a sunscreen that offers protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) sun rays. While UVA sun rays are slightly less intense than UVB, they penetrate your skin more deeply.
Some people have suggested that sufficient protein intake can provide you with enough collagen and that collagen supplements are unnecessary.
However,
Collagen is a protein that supports the structure of your cells and tissues. It also plays a part in tissue repair and immune response.
With age, your collagen stores diminish, but lifestyle changes can help to manage this loss.