Collagen has become a popular topic in the health and beauty industry. Many are aware of the benefits of collagen, our body’s most abundant protein. Collagen has an essential role in our youthfulness, vitality and appearance. The benefits of collagen has made it an important ingredient in beauty products and aesthetic treatments.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the main structural protein of connective tissues such as bone, skin, cartilage, and tendons. Collagen is the body’s most plentiful protein, accounting for approximately 30% of the proteins within the body. It’s made up of different amino acids, specifically Glycine, Proline, Hydroxyproline, and Arginine.
Collagen provides structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth. It also supports the cartilage in our joints, as well as muscles, organs, and arteries. Collagen plays a key role in how our tissues grow, mature and age and is especially important to our skin. It can be found in each layer contributing to cell repair, wound healing, structural support, nutrient uptake, and filtering out toxins.
Of the 16 known types of collagen, the following 5 types of collagen are most prominent in supplements.
- The most abundant type of collagen is Type I. It supports skin elasticity, digestion and hydration. Up to 90 percent of your body’s collagen is type I collagen.
- Type II supports joints, bones & cartilage and helps relieve joint pain.
- Working in tandem with Type I, type III assists in the development of blood vessels, skin, connective tissues, lungs and tissue in the body’s heart.
- Type V collagen co-exists with type II collagen in joint cartilage, while supporting collagen fibers of Type II collagen.
- Type X plays a crucial role in bone formation.
Decreased collagen in the body tends to manifest through our physical appearance in the following ways:
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Dry, “crepey”skin
- Sunken or hollow areas of the face and body
- Sagging skin on the face or body
Potential Health Benefits of Collagen Supplements
Collagen makes up many critical parts of our bodies. It is not only beneficial but essential to maintaining good health. However, there is still a debate about the benefits of collagen supplements. There is reasonable evidence that supplements help maintain hydrated skin and relieve osteoarthritis pain. More research is needed for the other less understood benefits such as lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Collagen supplements are on the market in various forms, primarily in pills and in powder form, which can be mixed into food or drink and ingested. Some studies show that taking collagen supplements can improve skin elasticity, wrinkles and fine lines, and other signs of aging. In addition, supplements can support cartilage, and thereby relieve joint, back and knee pain.
Natural Sources of Collagen
Our bodies produce collagen throughout our lifetimes. Our body’s natural production of collagen requires a healthy, balanced diet. As we age, our bodies may no longer absorb nutrients as well or synthesize them as efficiently. That’s when it makes sense to turn to other sources of collagen.
You can help your body produce more collagen by eating lots of glycine- and proline-rich foods like chicken, beef, fish, dairy, eggs, and beans. For vitamin C, zinc, and copper, you should also be sure to eat foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, leafy greens, shellfish, nuts and whole grains.
Aesthetic Treatments & Collagen Production
When it comes to collagen production, the science behind medical aesthetics is sound, proven and effective. One of the most comment concerns that are directly linked to collagen depletion is aging. Many of the Venus Concept devices can deliver wrinkle reduction treatments and more.
Learn more about our noninvasive aesthetic procedures for skin tightening and wrinkle reduction. Contact us for a skin consultation and how our med spa solutions can help you a.