How do you like to have your collagen? Injected? Applied as a cream or lotion? Popped as a pill? Munched as sweets and chocolates? Have some pig skin? Slurped in beverage drinks and ramen soups?
By the time one turns 25, the generation of collagen starts to decline. Research indicates that by the age of 40, the body’s ability to produce collagen decreases by 25%, and further decline by over 50% by age 60.
No wonder there is huge pent up demand for many collagen products available in the market currently. Does it justify to take in high dosage of collagen from external sources? Medical experts doubt on the ground that most products cannot replicate it.
What is collagen?
Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins present in the bodies of mammals, including humans. Found inside and outside of cells, it makes up about 20-30% of the total amount of proteins in the body. It can also be sourced externally from protein foods such as bovine, chicken, fish and eggs.
Functions
The most common type 1 collagen is found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons. Some people refer to collagen as the glue that holds the body together (‘kolla’ derived from the Greek word for glue). Without this ‘scaffold’ the body simply falls apart. It works very closely with its partner, elastin to give body tissues firmness, strength and form, while elastin lends flexibility.
Consisting 70% of the dermis layer, it helps to keep it supple and taut. Thus, a lack of collagen in the dermis can cause erosion on the epidermis layer (new skin cells not fully replaced). Manifestation is visible on the keratin - a protein in hair, skin, nails and teeth, with signs of diminishing resilience, flexibility and strength leading to sagging skin or wrinkles.
Types
All in all, there are more than 28 types of collagens that naturally occur in the body.
Type I is the strongest as it is located in bones, skin, tendons, cornea, teeth, intervertebral discs and mature scars. With enormous tensile strength it can be stretched without being broken.
Type II little bit less strength seen in cartilage, discs, synovial membrane, wrinkles, heart valves and vitreous humor (eyes). Its rigid macromolecules impart a strength and compressibility to the matrix and allow joints to absorb shocks better.
Its key features are:
- makes up 50-60% of protein in cartilage
- makes up 85-90% of collagen in articular cartilage
- may reduce popping knees
- may support back, jaw and joints
- includes glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid
Type III goes even weaker as it is present in granulation tissue, embryonic tissue, uterus, blood vessels and keloids.
Type IV is the weakest is it only supports a row of epithelial cells as it is found only in basement membranes.
Collagen Types 1 & III which make up 90% of the body’s collagen supply may:
- minimize fine lines and wrinkles
- improve elasticity
- support the bone matrix (36% of bone is made up of collagen Type 1 and 3)
- correct weak or damaged nail beds
- thicken fine hair, slows hair loss
- improve circulation
- promote glycine production which builds leans muscle and helps burn fat during sleep
Composition
Collagen is a “complex protein,” comprising 19 different amino acids - both nonessential and essential types. Forming three chains of more than 1400 amino acids, it wounds together in a tight triple helix.
For instance, a mature bone structure contains water (about 5%), proteins (about 25%) and minerals (about 70%), of mainly calcium and phosphate. The matrix formed from proteins allows mineral to be deposited to form the scaffolding for the bone. The amino acids involved include arginine, proline, glutamine, lysine and glysine which when combine with other vitamins and minerals (eg. copper) produce collagen. This substance is also produced by the cells found in other connective tissues and skin.
Of all the vitamins, Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid is most crucial as it can increase the uptake of collagen by as much as eight times. As collagen is used daily in the body due to normal wear and tear of the tissues, synthesis using vitamin C to build and maintain the growth and development of new collagen is easier. Note that Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin (cannot be stored in the body) and thus needs constant replenishment. It is also a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, which are known to damage collagen and contribute to aging and tissue destruction.
Loss prevention
The visible results are skin sagging, wrinkles forming and wounds heal poorly. For instance, cell turnover in the epidermis slows down, thus making the skin thinner. Collagen production in the dermis (outer skin layer) is also reduced. With less elasticity, more fine lines and wrinkles appear.
+ At this time, no longer must intake of amino acids be increased to compensate for the loss, antioxidants like vitamin A, C, E are also needed to prevent further oxidation and damage at the cellular level leading to depletion of collagen.
+ In some cases, genetic conditions causing inadequate or defective production of collagen cannot be reversed and only symptoms can be treated. Some unusual features are like paper-thin skin, long limbs and fingers and brittle bone disease.
Main benefits
1. Improves skin and hair condition - Decreased collagen causes skin to thin off and loses elasticity resulting in formation of cellulite and stretch marks.
2. Lessens joint pains and degeneration - With lesser collagen, the tendons and ligaments become stiff and swollen.
What to do?
+ A vitamin A-related compound known as tretinoin or retinoic acid, can stimulate the skin to produce collagen. This product is usually available in cream form, prescribed for acne, wrinkle and sun damage (can reduce pigmentation).
+ Consuming foods like bone broth can provide plenty of this vital protein. When bones are simmered in broth over one to two days, collagen is gradually broken down into gelatin.
+ Laser procedures can stimulate collagen production but is damaging for the cells in the long run.
+ Injecting artificial collagen (from animals like cows or fillers of hyaluronic acid) into the deeper layers of the skin plumps the skin and fills up wrinkles can last for 3-12 months before it breaks down and is resorbed into the skin.
Tests conducted have shown that most skincare products in the market are rendered useless because the molecules present in them are too large to be absorbed by the skin. At such, most just sit on top of the skin, and not able to help in collagen reproduction beneath the facial tissue.
Prevention is better than cure….
+ Take more antioxidants from fruits and vegetables to remove free radicals.
+ Take the right nutrients as not all amino acids end up being collagen.
+ Stop smoking to avoid more damages to collagen causing premature wrinkling.
+ Do not be overly exposed to sunlight and use sunscreen if need to.
+ Get enough beauty sleep to help in releasing growth hormone, produce collagen and eliminate the dark circles around the eyes caused by fatigue.
VIVA corner
It contains type I and III collagen essential for the repair of bone, tendon, muscle and ligament as well.
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