Our bodies are built with plentiful nutrients and water. One of the important proteins that is needed is Collagen. It connects our tissues with a fiber-like structure and is also a major component of bone, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage. Collagen is composed of amino acids, particularly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, arranged in a triple helix structure, which allows the tissue to become strong and elastic, enabling it to resist stretching.
Collagen is important for our bodies to maintain good health, but that’s not all. Studies have shown that collagen improves skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density after three months of intake.
Here are some of the benefits of collagen for our bodies:
Stronger bones – Collagen helps make your bones denser, slowing the aging process and aiding in the production of new bone
Improved skin elasticity and hydration – Collagen improves skin hydration and elasticity, particularly for older individuals, reducing the appearance of wrinkles
Thicker hair – Collagen significantly increases the quantity, scalp coverage, and thickness of hair
Healthier nails – Collagen promotes faster nail growth and reduces the incidence of broken or chipped nails
Reduce osteoarthritis pain – Collagen serves as a mild pain reliever and improves joint function in individuals with osteoarthritis
Increased muscle mass – Collagen leads to increases in muscle mass and strength
Improve heart health – Collagen helps maintain the shape of your arteries and blood vessels, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes
As we age, the natural production of collagen begins to decline, leading to a gradual breakdown of existing collagen fibers and a decrease in collagen synthesis. Additionally, this process is accelerated by external factors such as:
– Sun exposure
– Smoking
– Alcohol intake
– Lack of sleep and exercise
These activities can damage the collagen fibers by reducing their thickness and strength, which leads to the formation of the wrinkles on the skin surface.
Now that you understand what affects collagen production, how can we determine if we are experiencing collagen deficiency? Here are the six main symptoms of collagen deficiency in your body:
Wrinkles –The wrinkles are formed when your skin loses elasticity, which is caused by collagen loss
Slow muscle recovery –Collagen works to repair your muscles and helps with muscle flexibility. Collagen deficiency becomes noticeable when the muscles take a longer time to recover
Gastrointestinal problems – Our body’s intestines have tight junctions, which help in absorbing nutrients. A leaky gut means that other particles can slip through the gaps, causing infection and inflammation. Collagen helps repair intestinal walls and rebuild damaged tight junctions
Thin or flat-looking hair –In our hair follicles, collagen helps deliver essential nutrients. If collagen deficiency occurs, the nutrients will be delivered much slower, resulting in hair that appears thin and dull
Joint pain –The collagen in our body helps rebuild and repair the cartilage in our joints. Additionally, it provides flexibility and lubrication to our joints
Slow injury recovery –Another symptom of collagen deficiency is that the body takes longer than usual to heal during injuries. When injuries occur, our body produces collagen to repair the damaged tissue
According to studies, more than 20 types of collagen have been found in our body. However, there are 5 common types of collagen:
Type I – Strengthen the skin, hair, bones, ligaments, and tendons
Type II – Increase flexible cartilage that helps support body joints
Type III – Support gut, muscles, blood vessels and the uterus
Type IV – Support eye health, cell membrane, bones, muscles, the liver and lungs.
Type V – Present in your corneas as well as some layers of skin and hair
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the bodies of mammals. It is found in your skin, bones, teeth, and cartilage.
Hydrolyzed collagen is collagen that has been broken down into smaller molecules called peptides, which are easier for your body to absorb. That is why hydrolyzed collagen is also known as collagen peptides.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural element found in the fluids in the eyes and joints. It is important for our body as it acts as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues. It has a unique ability to bind and retain water molecules, making it a vital component for maintaining hydration and moisture in the tissues.
Hyaluronic acid is used for conditions such as acid reflux, dry eyes, wound healing, aging skin, and many other conditions.
There are several benefits of hyaluronic acid:
Joint lubrication and pain prevention – It helps your joints move smoothly and prevents pain and injury caused by bones grinding against each other
Hydration and moisture retention – Hyaluronic acid is excellent at retaining water, which keeps our body hydrated. It is often used in treating dry eyes and is found in moisturizing creams, lotions, ointments, and serums
Skin elasticity and wrinkle reduction – Furthermore, hyaluronic acid helps the skin stretch and flex, reducing wrinkles and lines
Age | Hyaluronic Acid (mg) | Collagen (mg) |
20-35 | 58.27 | 230 |
35-40 | 116.54 | 460 |
40-45 | 174.81 | 690 |
>45 | 233.08 | 920 |
In conclusion, our skin, joints, bones, and tendons all need collagen and hyaluronic acid to function normally. We can obtain them from natural food sources, either from meat or vegetables, as well as externally from supplements, treatments, and injections. Both collagen and hyaluronic acid are important in enhancing the appearance of the skin, reducing signs of aging, and promoting a more youthful look.