The Beneficial Collagen

Imagine if a single miracle cure could turn back time and restore your skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance. Collagen is gaining popularity because many believe it might be the secret weapon against aging. But how much truth is there to this discovery, or is it just a passing trend?

In this article, you’ll learn everything about collagen: what it’s good for, its types, physiological effects, what decreases or increases your body’s collagen levels, which types of collagen supplementation are entirely unnecessary, and how to take collagen in the most effective form. We explain the topic scientifically yet concisely and provide actionable advice that you can easily integrate into your lifestyle.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a super substance! It’s one of the most important proteins in the human body and the most abundant protein in our system, accounting for nearly a third of all connective tissue proteins.

Collagen is found in most connective tissues, including bones, joints, tendons, and cartilage. It gives tissues their elasticity and strength. A lack of collagen can contribute to the development of wrinkles, joint pain, and osteoporosis. But collagen doesn’t just affect our appearance. It also plays a role in digestion, the immune system, and communication between cells.

The word “collagen” comes from the Greek word "kolla" (glue) and the French suffix “-gène” (producer), as collagen is essentially the “glue” that holds the body’s tissues and organs together. Like all proteins, collagen is made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. However, collagen’s structure is unique: it consists of three chains intertwined in a helical structure, forming collagen’s triple helix.

Types of Collagen

As of now, 29 different types of collagen have been identified in the human body, but the first five types make up 99% of the body’s collagen content.

Factors Affecting Collagen Levels

Age: Collagen production begins to decline as early as 20–25 years old, decreasing by about 1% per year.

Lifestyle: Excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates, smoking, alcohol use, UV radiation, air pollution, and stress negatively impact collagen levels.

How to Increase Collagen Levels

To prevent the decline of collagen, focus on the following:

Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure adequate vitamin (especially Vitamin C) and mineral intake, regular exercise, and stress management.

Collagen Supplements: Hydrolyzed collagen (e.g., marine collagen peptides) is particularly well absorbed by the body due to its small peptides. Regular use of collagen supplements can improve skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, and increase skin elasticity.

What About Collagen-Containing Creams?

For absorption through the skin, the molecule size needs to be under 500 Daltons, which collagen in creams cannot achieve. Therefore, these creams don’t directly increase your body’s collagen levels. However, they are excellent moisturizers and play a role in skincare.

Conclusion

Collagen is not only available in supplement form. It’s also found in various foods like bone broth, fish, eggs, citrus fruits, and chicken. These foods are natural sources of collagen, and consuming them regularly can contribute to healthier skin.

Plant-based collagen supplements also exist, which are derived from algae or bacteria. These supplements can be a good alternative for vegans, vegetarians, or those allergic to collagen.

Taking collagen supplements will not make wrinkles disappear or eliminate joint pain overnight. However, over time, they may improve skin elasticity, reduce joint pain, and strengthen bones. Collagen plays an important role in maintaining the mineral content of bones, helping to prevent osteoporosis and reducing the risk of fractures. Collagen aids in wound healing by promoting the growth and regeneration of skin cells and reducing scarring.

Maintaining and increasing collagen levels is key to a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, and, when necessary, the use of scientifically validated collagen supplements.