COLLAGEN - what Is It And What Is It Good For

Collagen is the most plentiful protein in the body.

It has important roles, including providing structure to your skin and helping your blood clot. It’s one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments.Collagen is also found in many other body parts, including blood vessels, corneas and teeth.

You can think of it as the “glue” that holds all these things together. In fact, the word comes from the Greek word “kólla,” which means glue.

What Does It Do in the Body?

There are at least 16 types of collagen. The four main types are type I, II, III and IV.

Here’s a closer look at the four main types of collagen and their role in your body:

• Type I: This type accounts for 90% of your body’s collagen and is made of densely packed fibers. It provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue and teeth.
• Type II: This type is made of more loosely packed fibers and is found in elastic cartilage, which cushions joints.
• Type III: This type supports the structure of muscles, organs and arteries.
• Type IV: This type helps with filtration and is found in layers of your skin.

As you age, your body produces less and lower-quality collagen.

One of the visible signs of this is in your skin, which becomes less firm and supple. Cartilage also weakens with age.

Nutrients That Increase Collagen Production

All collagen starts off as procollagen.

Your body makes procollagen by combining two amino acids: glycine and proline. This process uses vitamin C.

You may be able to help your body produce this important protein by making sure you get plenty of the following nutrients:

• Vitamin C: Large amounts are found in citrus fruits, bell peppers and strawberries.
• Proline: Large amounts are found in egg whites, wheat germ, dairy products, cabbage, asparagus and mushrooms.
• Glycine: Large amounts are found in pork skin, chicken skin and gelatin, but glycine is also found in various protein-containing foods.
• Copper: Large amounts are found in organ meats, sesame seeds, cocoa powder, cashews and lentils.

In addition, your body needs high-quality protein that contains the amino acids needed to make new proteins. Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, legumes are all excellent sources of amino acids.

Things That Damage Collagen

Perhaps it’s even more important to avoid the following collagen-destroying behaviors:

• Sugar and refined carbs: Sugar interferes with collagen’s ability to repair itself. Minimize your consumption of added sugar and refined carbs.
• Too much sunshine: Ultraviolet radiation can reduce collagen production. Avoid excessive sun exposure .
• Smoking: Smoking reduces collagen production. This can impair wound healing and lead to wrinkles.

Some autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, can also damage collagen.

Natural Food Sources

Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animal foods. For example, it’s found in large amounts in chicken and pork skin.

One particularly rich source is bwhich is made by boiling down the bones of chicken and other animals.

Gelatin is basically cooked collagen, so it is very high in the amino acids needed to produce it.

But there’s debate over whether consuming collagen-rich foods actually increases the levels in your body.

When you eat protein, it’s broken down into amino acids and then reassembled, so the collagen you eat wouldn’t translate directly into higher levels in your body.