Is it good to take collagen?

It is called “the protein of eternal youth.” And there must be something true about this, since it is the most abundant protein in the human body (in the proportion of 6% of our body weight, and an astonishing 65% of total presence). It is part of almost all parts of our body, including muscles, tendons, skin, or bones.

To illustrate the importance and function of this vital protein, let's think of our bones, tendons, and muscles as the main pieces of a building structure (beams, blocks, etc.).

Collagen would be the adherent that helps keep all the pieces together. But it wouldn't just hold them together like hard cement would. Rather, we are talking about a strong but flexible binding substance. Taking all this into account, it is logical that many think that it is good to take collagen.

Why is it good to take collagen and what is it for?

Under ideal conditions, collagen renews itself, and that contributes to our bone, muscle and skin stability. However, as the years progress and cellular aging progresses, collagen formation slows down, thus losing its original thickness and elasticity. This, in turn, generates joint and rheumatic problems.

On the other hand, sagging skin and tissues, also caused by the low production of this important protein, produce the dreaded wrinkles.

So, with the purpose of strengthening and extending the essential work of this protein, we would like to point out some other details why it is good to take collagen, whether through foods that contain it in good proportion, taking collagen supplements in capsules or liquid. . Based on scientific evidence ( 1 ), we can mention that when consuming it:

• It helps protect joints that have experienced wear and tear due to being overweight, sports, etc. This is achieved thanks to the stimulation of synthesis of synovial fluid, which also helps in improving rheumatic problems.
• The elasticity and firmness of the skin is stimulated, thanks to the fact that, together with hyaluronic acid, the water absorption capacity is significantly improved. This prevents dehydration, so the skin is rejuvenated and the incidence and depth of wrinkles decreases.
• It helps nails and hair follicles (or hair) grow stronger and healthier.

You may be interested in: How long is it advisable to take collagen?

At what age should you take collagen?

There is general consensus from a medical-scientist point of view that by the time the human body reaches the age of 25, it will have lost approximately 1.5% of collagen periodically every year.

After the age of 40, this production decreases to such a degree that it is estimated that at the age of 70, the loss of collagen is approximately 30%. At this point we must make it clear that the body's collagen can be destroyed, and its production can also be delayed ( 2 ).

This has various causes that could be aggravated or improved depending on the health measures taken. For example, free radicals, which are produced by excess exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, the toxic agents to which smokers are exposed, and the stress generated by certain rhythms and lifestyles, cause the destruction of the body collagen.

Meanwhile, poor eating habits affect the low production of the amino acids necessary to form the final protein, collagen.

So it is advisable that, from a certain age, you follow a diet rich in foods or products that stimulate the production of this protein, or the amino acids that allow the body to form it more easily. Establishing this as part of the daily routine will make us healthier and, of course, stronger.

What are the benefits of taking it?

Although we had previously anticipated some of the benefits that answer the question of why it is good to take collagen, below, we will make a detailed account of all the benefits that would entail helping our body by consuming foods that contain it.

This applies if you decide to take it in capsules, liquid collagen, and even apply it cosmetically. By using this type of supplement we have the following benefits:

Increase in tissue firmness

We strengthen the resistance, elasticity and integrity of the entire body. Likewise, we help our organs (skin, cartilage and tendons) remain firm in their original positions. This reinforced capacity would be a benefit in the event of an accident or accidental fall.

Cellular cohesion and transmission

Collagen helps maintain cellular cohesion in different parts of the body so that they work in optimal conditions. It also enhances the transmitting capacity of our muscles, contributing to our muscle function.

Improved healing function and reduced inflammation

Collagen improves skin structures that play a key role in wound healing and repair of damaged tissues. Likewise, the resistance of our joints to pain and inflammation increases.

Improvement in bone function

We strengthen the growth of structures that, although they are considered “dead”, protect and benefit us, such as the nails and scalp.

What collagen to take? recommendations

To have an idea of ​​the type of collagen that would be recommended in our case, we must know some details of the composition of the different types of proteins that cover the classification of “collagen”, as well as their positive effect on our body.

Being a macromolecule, collagen is made up of about 20 amino acids, among which glycine, proline and hydroxyproline predominate (almost half of the total amino acids present). From here we can divide this protein into two main types:

Collagen type I

It is found in greater proportion in the skin, bones and tendons.

Collagen type II

It is found in the vitreous humor of our eyes and in the cartilages of our body (pinna, nose, etc.).

However, it is necessary to clarify the function of a key part in the production of all types of collagen. We are referring to hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid

It is a type of biomolecule, composed mostly of glucosamine. In humans, we will find it on our skin, although it is also present as a thin layer that helps with good vision. It is also found in the synovial fluid, skeletal tissue, heart valves, prostate, lung, among others.

As part of its main properties is the ability to absorb and retain water, keeping fabrics fresh and flexible.

Hyaluronic acid generally originates from mesenchymal cells as well as other types. However, it is in a fair measure. To illustrate: a person weighing approximately 70 kilograms should contain at least 15 grams of this biomolecule throughout their body, but every day they will degrade and synthesize a third of the amount ( 3 ).

With this established, we see the need not only to avoid the useless loss of collagen in our body, but also to ingest supplements that replace what has been lost of that natural collagen and increase its production. For that we have a series of recommendations that will be very helpful to achieve those objectives. We review them below.

Veggie Collagen, collagen for beauty

It is a highly recommended product because it is vegetable collagen in capsules extracted purely from carrots, so it is 100% vegetable. Additionally, it contains glucosamine, a substance that helps form main components of our tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the thick fluid that surrounds the joints.

It also contains methyl-sulfonyl-methane (or MSM: a vital component in the health of our joints) and Vitamin C, which helps metabolize collagen better. Additionally, it adds a star ingredient such as hyaluronic acid, its 12,000 mg of plant equivalent to collagen per dose (30 ml).

Among the benefits of taking Veggie Collagen are:

• It contributes to the formation of better nails, softer skin, more manageable and resistant hair, and even healthier gums.
• Allows relief from pain related to muscles and bones.
• Keeps arthritis and rheumatoid diseases under control.
• Delays premature aging by preventing the formation of wrinkles.
• Helps control blood sugar levels.

It comes in liquid version and capsule version.

All this accompanied by a pleasant improved flavor and much more attractive to the palate. Additionally, you can find other presentations that will allow you to enjoy the same benefits when ingesting liquid collagen.

This type of collagen forms a film that protects against external aggressions and prevents skin dehydration. The effect is that it gives cohesion to the dermis matrix, and this gives it smoothness, so wrinkles look less pronounced or even disappear.

Taking collagen is also an adjuvant to various types of aesthetic treatment (4), among which we can mention:

• Mesotherapy: Which aims to provide nutrients internally to the dermis, activates the internal cells of the skin with the action of a puncture that provokes a movement of cells residing in the connective tissue so that they produce collagen, the ideal components are injections with vitamin C and silicon.
• Radiofrequency : A technique based on electromagnetic radiation of the skin. This allows for deeper action. By causing controlled heating, cell activation for collagen production is improved. With this procedure, in the long term, the deeper collagen is restored and the most aged cells are replaced more quickly with new cells. Warming up also helps stimulate circulation in the area.
• Cosmetics : Most of them have among their components vitamin C, (proven epidermal growth factor), silicon, vitamin A, and gotu kola. All of these elements are designed, in turn, to stimulate collagen production, thus activating cell renewal. At the same time, they protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Arthri Solution, collagen for pain

It is hydrolyzed collagen whose presentation is in capsules with 3,000 mg per pill. We must clarify that hydrolyzed collagen results from subjecting collagen (generally of animal origin) to a cooking process that causes acids or alkalis to separate each of the 3 polypeptide chains of tropocollagen. These derivatives are then subjected to another process called hydrolysis.

Since collagen is not absorbed by the intestinal mucosa in its original form, it undergoes degradation through hydrolysis, which separates amino acids and short-chain polypeptides. This hydrolysis can be done with chemicals (chemical hydrolysis) or with proteolytic enzymes (enzymatic hydrolysis).

As part of the benefits of drinking collagen from Arthri Solution, we can mention that:

• Pain, inflammation, edema, and stiffness (very common in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout) tend to decrease.
• Helps restore cartilage tissue.
• Bones, joints and nails will be toned and rejuvenated.
• It will allow for stronger hair.
• In the case of athletes, after physically demanding exercises, the recovery of the body (will take a long time) is much stronger.
• Contributes to those who want to lose weight.
• Reduces pain caused by fibromyalgia and joint pain.

It comes in liquid version and capsule version.

So, if you have already passed the threshold of 40 years, the need to strengthen the muscular and bone system should be a priority. Foods such as meat, fish and gelatin, even when they contain collagen, will not be enough to cover the deficiency that will have started during this stage of life.

This deficiency will be noted by a tendency to present pain in the different most mobile parts of the body, such as knees and hips ( 5 ).

Being natural as they are, collagen supplements will not have any side effects, but rather will help in the treatment of common diseases after the age of 50. Especially those related to the joints and bones, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Do you know Macrauchenia patachonica ? The most possible is that no. In fact, the only thing that remained of this animal were fossil remains, since it lived on Earth during the last ice age. The truth is that Charles Darwin himself could not give it a classification within the family tree of mammals. What's more, no one had been able to do it until a few years ago.

And the mystery could be solved thanks to the map provided by the collagen protein. It turned out that this animal, which looked like a camel without a hump and had a neck as long as a llama, could be classified among ungulates thanks to the analysis of its collagen fibers.

This longevity molecule has the ability to remain unchanged over time about ten times longer than DNA, so there is much more to analyze. So there is no doubt that collagen is “the protein of eternal youth.”

We can not only conclude that it is good to consume collagen, but also affirm that, regardless of our age, we must make sure we consume the amount we need to maintain youth, beauty, and the good function of our musculoskeletal system.