Collagen is responsible for over 30% of all the proteins in our body, it’s a tough, strong protein that is found in our bones, teeth, tendons, ligaments and of course our skin. This article looks at its structure and its uses in the body.
What is Collagen Made of?
It is a protein made up of 4 essential amino acids – Glycine, Proline, Arginine and Hydroxyproline.
Table of Contents
What Is Collagen Made of?
It is a protein made up of 4 essential amino acids – Glycine, Proline, Arginine and Hydroxyproline.
If we beak these down further, they in turn are made of Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon.
Where Can We Find Collagen?
In the natural world, Collagen is exclusively found in animals, in particular the flesh and connective tissues of mammals and fish.
it is the connective tissue that provides the strength and elasticity in our skin. It maintains its suppleness and helps with the natural renewal cycle of skin cells.
Ligaments are the tissues that connect bones together, particularly in our joints.
Tendons are similar to ligaments but they hold the muscles to the bones.
Ligaments, tendons, bone and our muscles are all made up of proteins, with Collagen being the most dominant.
Collagen is the major part of any connective tissue and is the most abundant protein in animals, responsible for up to 35% of all protein found in the body.
Recommended Article: How can you rebuild collagen in your face?
What Does Collagen Actually Do?
It provides strength and flexibility to key parts of our body. It also helps to protect the integrity and appearance of the skin by reducing the absorption of toxins, pathogenic substances, micro organisms and even cancerous cells.
“In a nut shell, Collagen is the glue that keeps everything together”
Christina Jacobson
It is also present in our muscle tissues, digestive tract, blood vessels, heart, bladder, kidneys and gall bladder.It is also a key component in our hair, teeth and nails.
The Structure Of Collagen
Collagen is found in fibrous tissues including our skin, ligaments and tendons. It is also present in our bones, cartilage, intervertebral discs, blood vessels and even our corneas.
In our muscles, collagen is a key part of endomysium.
2% of our muscles are formed with collagen and up to 6% of our total muscle weight is made from it. When we eat foods that contain gelatin, we are eating hydrolyzed Collagen.
The molecule takes the form of a triple spiral or helix.
This combines with other molecules in the area of the skin under the surface to link up and form a mesh type effect. When it is linked together adds strength and structure to the dermis ( The layer beneath the skins surface.)
Collagen And Ageing
As we start to get older, our natural collagen production reduces and this weakens the structure of our cells, in particular in our skin and our joints.
Our bones can become less solid and become more likely to fractures, our tendons and ligaments become less flexible, often leading to stiffer joints and reduced movement.
Also our skin becomes less elastic, and noticeably drier, causing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our hair can also become thinner and more prone to breaking off.
Collagen Supplements
The majority of collagen supplements and other products are sourced from animal or fish sources, these commonly include the bones and connective tissues of cattle as well as the skin, bones and tissues from fish.
This makes these types of supplements and products unsuitable for Vegetarians and Vegans. They can be liquid or pill form.
There have been research studies carried out that have looked at obtaining vegan friendly collagen from yeast and the bacteria P. pastoris.
The results have been promising.
To produce vegan friendly collagen, 4 human genes are added to the genetic structure of the microbes within the bacteria.
Once these genes are present, the bacteria and yeast begin building blocks of human collagen.
Once complete the end result is Vegan friendly collagen.
With the ability to create animal free collagen supplements, it has opened the door for the millions of vegans and other environmental friendly users to enjoy the benefits of smoother skin, stronger bones and improved joint health.
Collagen and Your Diet
You can also get collagen from your diet, foods high in protein such as dairy products, meat, fish, seafood, beans and pulses can all help boost its production
Can Boosting My Collagen Cause Any Side Effects?
In general there are no risks involved when boosting collagen, it’s a completely natural part of your body and as such should not cause any adverse reactions or side effects.
Where you may run into problems is if you have food allergies for instance.
As an example, if you are allergic to shellfish, you should avoid anything that contains marine sourced collagen.
It’s all about research and due diligence – thoroughly check out any product before use.
FAQ’s
It is a crucial protein that provides strength and structure to our bones, joints and skin
It is made in the body naturally by breaking down proteins found in our foods into various amino acids. It is built in the body by 3 of these key amino acids extracted from our diet
It is made from three naturally occurring amino acids – hydroxyproline, glycine and proline
The most effective food sources of natural collagen are eggs, fish, shellfish, meat, dairy products, gelatin and beans. You can also drink bone broth.
Gelatin is a by-product, when its heated up, it breaks down to form gelatin
These are basically molecules that have been broken down to make them easier for your body to absorb them.
These are often found in supplements, in particular infused drinks.
Sources:
- http://www.karinherzog.co.uk/PDF/Articles/Collagen.pdf
- http://www.reshapebook.com/ProteinReport.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/endomysium
- http://www-personal.umich.edu/~egatenby/collagen%20eyre%20chapter.pdf
- http://fabad.org/fabad.org/pdf/volum32/issue3/139-144.pdf
- https://drkellyann.com/blogs/all-about-collagen/gelatin-vs-collagen
