Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, making up approximately one-third of all the protein found in the human body. In other words, it is a protein of significant structural importance.
Collagen serves various functions throughout the body, including being present in the bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, tendons, circulatory system, blood vessels, digestive system, hair, nails, teeth, and, in short, almost everywhere in our bodies.
Benefits of Collagen:
1. **Connective Tissue and Joint Health:** Collagen acts as a "glue" that holds joints and tendons together, making it a recommended long-term treatment by many orthopedic specialists for various aches and pains associated with conditions like osteoarthritis, among others.
2. **Post-Trauma Healing:** Collagen treatment is widely recommended after skeletal system traumas such as fractures, helping with healing and recovery.
3. **Skin Health:** Collagen aids in renewing dead skin cells, increasing skin elasticity, and maintaining firmness.
4. **Barrier Function:** Collagen, which forms the foundation of connective and connective tissues, acts as a protective barrier for the skin, shielding it from toxins and other harmful factors.
5. **Fibroblasts:** The basic building blocks are fibroblast cells, responsible for creating connective tissue.
6. **Rich Amino Acid Profile:** Collagen is a valuable source of protein rich in amino acids such as proline, glycine, alanine, and arginine.
Who Benefits from Collagen?
Collagen can benefit those with musculoskeletal health problems, individuals concerned about skin beauty, active athletes, children, the elderly, those looking to strengthen their immune systems, and anyone who prioritizes a healthy diet.
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Types of Collagen:
There are at least 30 different types of collagen classified based on their structure, including fibrous, non-fibrous (network-forming), fibril, microfibril (thread-like), and membrane.
Of these, approximately 80% to 90% of the collagen in our bodies consists of Types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10.
- **Type 1 Collagen:** This is the most abundant type of collagen in the body. It is found in bone, tendons, skin, ligaments, and scar tissue. It provides support to bones, adds firmness and elasticity to the skin, keeps tissues together, and promotes wound healing.
- **Type 2 Collagen:** This type is found in cartilage and the structure of the eye.
- **Type 3 Collagen:** It forms the extracellular matrix, which makes up our organs and skin. It plays a role in creating elasticity and tightness in the skin and provides support to muscles, organs, and arteries.
- **Type 4 Collagen:** This collagen is essential for fluid filtration in the skin and is critical for the formation of the basal lamina, which surrounds muscles, fats, and organs. It also contributes to fluid filtration in the skin.
- **Type 10 Collagen:** Found in joint cartilage and involved in new bone formation. It aids in healing bone fractures and repairing synovial joints.
Understanding the different types of collagen allows us to appreciate the significant role that collagen plays in maintaining various aspects of our health and well-being.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21582/
Cheng, F.Y., Hsu, F.W., Chang, H.S., Lin, L.C., Sakata, R. (2009). Effect of different acids on the extraction of pepsin-solubilised collagen containing melanin from silky fowl feet. Food Chem, 113(2): 563–567.
Ricard-Blum, S. (2011). “The Collagen Family”. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. 3 (1): a004978. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a004978. PMC3003457. PMID21421911.
Matsumoto, H., Ohara, H., Ito, K., Nakamura, Y., Takahashi, S., 2006. Clinical effects of fish type I collagen hydrolysate on skin properties. ITE Letters on Batteries, new technologies and medicine 7(4): 386–390.
Gregory Shaw, Ann Lee-Barthel, Megan LR Ross, Bing Wang, Keith Baar. Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis
