What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body which gives the building blocks for every other part- skin, muscle, organs, blood vessels, intestinal lining, bone, and connective tissue.
- These proteins are made of amino acids, particularly proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline.
- These amino acids, combined with some vitamins like C, zinc, copper and manganese, make a triple helix structure which gives strength throughout the body.
- In the skin, collagen helps new cells grow, replaces dead skin cells, gives your skin elasticity, and helps with protection.
TYPE 1 COLLAGEN
Type 1 is 90% of your body’s collagen. It is dense and used to give structure to your skin, bones, and tendons.
- This is what gives tensile strength to the skin. It gives skin elasticity, firmness, and prevents sagging and wrinkles.
- During scar remodeling in wound healing, Type 1 replaces Type 3 collagen to give the scar durability and stability. THis is a denser and thicker structure relative to normal skin collagen (which is why scars look different and have a different texture)
TYPE 2 COLLAGEN
This is in elastic cartilage, seen primarily in joint support
TYPE 3 COLLAGEN
This is found in muscles, arteries, and organs. Often found alongside Type I, this collagen type is important for skin elasticity and is more common in younger skin. It plays a significant role in wound healing and skin hydration, making it essential for maintaining youthful skin appearance. This collagen is what is made in the initial wound healing stage to form a temporary scaffold in a scar. It is more flexible and is necessary for the further healing in scar tissue. If in excess, it can lead to thicker less flexible scars, as it is not organized well (as you see in scar remodeling seen with Type 1 collagen).
TYPE 4 COLLAGEN
This is found in the basal membrane layers of your skin. It is critical for filtration, the structure of the skin, and the function of the dermis. It provides support to skin cells.
TYPE 5 COLLAGEN
This is found in hair, placenta, some layers of the skin, and your eye corneas.
Why should you care?
Collagen health is a fundamental thing to address for aging. Your skin is your largest organ- it is the one you can see- so use it as a barometer of how your other tissues are doing.
- Collagen issues are accelerated by some lifestyle habits you may have- sun exposure, smoking, and nutrition.
- Collagen production decreases after menopause and in everyone after age 60.
- When collagen ages, you see things like sagging or wrinkled skin, joint aging, arthritis, weakened muscles, GI issues due to thinning of the intestinal tract lining, and more.
- Can you eat collagen? The answer is no, but you can eat the building blocks of amino acids and vitamins which help- Vitamin C, Copper, zinc, proline, and glycine. Collagen peptides are pieces of animal proteins, which are usually broken down into amino acids. See my other blogs on the subject of collagen peptides.
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
