What is Collagen?

define

Collagen is a type of protein. Fibrous in nature, it connects and supports other bodily tissues, such as skin, bone, tendons, muscles, and cartilage. It also supports the internal organs and is even present in teeth. There are more than 25 types of collagens that naturally occur in the body.

Collagen is one of the most plentiful proteins present in the bodies of mammals, including humans. In fact, it makes up about 25 percent of the total amount of proteins in the body. Some people refer to collagen as the glue that holds the body together. Without it, the body would, quite literally, fall apart.

Possessing great tensile strength, collagen functions in a manner that is very different from many other types of proteins. For example, it can be found both inside and outside of cells. Collagen fibers are important in contributing to the external structure of cells. However, they are present on the inside of some cells as well.

Collagen works hand-in-hand with elastin in supporting the body’s tissues. Basically, it gives body tissues form and provides firmness and strength; elastin gives the same body tissues much need flexibility. This combination of collagen and elastin is very important in many parts of the body, including, but not limited to, the lungs, bones, and tendons. Even the blood vessels rely on both collagen and elastin.

Often, collagen is discussed in relation to the skin. It works with keratin to provide the skin with strength, flexibility, and resilience. As people age, however, collagen degradation occurs, leading to wrinkles. As such, it is an important substance for those looking for ways to fight the visible effects of aging on the skin. Some skincare professionals actually advise people on ways to stimulate the production of collagen in skin cells.

In addition to being so important in the body, collagen also has many medical uses. It is used in some cosmetic surgery procedures and is sold as a supplement created for joint mobility. It is even used in treating and managing serious burns. For this purpose, it is used in creating man-made skin substitutes.

Since collagens are so important within the body, it stands to reason that collagen deficiencies can be problematic. In fact, there are some genetic diseases that are associated with collagen deficiencies. For example, osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly referred to as brittle bone disease, results from a significantly decreased level of collagen. It can also result from the presence of collagen that is of lower quality than normal.

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33
2 years ago i had my breast injected with collagen. next year i'm planning to have a baby already. will it affect my breastmilk? because i'm a believer in breast feeding. please help. i really need some serious advice.
- anon47748
32
Can men take collagen too?
- anon47465
31
Can collagen actually cause cracks on the face? Please help. --lindalou
- lindalou
30
Started using face moisturizer with collagen about a month ago. In this time the deep facial lines have increased. Seems every morning I wake up with a new one. Could this be a reaction to collagen? Can it have this effect - can it cause cracks? Or is it coincidental and something else is causing these sudden and numerous cracks? Please help.
- anon46521
29
I am a diabetic, and also am on medication for cholesterol and fibromyalgia and I am using insulin for my diabetes. Can I take collagen?
- anitacuen
27
I had a heart attack three years ago. can I take collagen?
- busstopjc89
25
I have got Dupuytren's contracture in my right hand. Is a deficiency of collagen related to this condition? If yes, would taking a supplement of collagen and/or dietary changes stop the progression or even reverse this condition?
- HHoes
23
Number 11 asked if collagen can help incontinence. I am interested to know to but didn't find your answer. I have taken diptropan 5mg and had a specialist do a test and he put me on vesicare 10 mg. I have been on it for 1 1/2 years and I'm not doing any better with it. I am doing the same thing with or without the medication. I read where a recent study that 93 percent of women with persistent incontinence were helped by injections of collagen into the tissue around the urethra and it tightened the valve that holds urin in the bladder, improving leakage or stopping it altogether. This was by a urologist at the university of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Is this safe? Please let me know.
- anon42072
22
How can Super Collagen with Vitamin C help you? I just started taking this 2 days ago. Can to much harm you, and I am taking this for several reasons for my health to see if it will help me.
- Angel777
21
Some of use at work are taking Calotren, which boasts it will contribute to inches lost by helping you produce collagen. From your information it seems there is nothing in collagen that helps you lose weight. Am I correct? Were we snookered?
- anon36886
20
Answering couple of questions:

Collagen is present in every animal. On the collagen market there are at least 4 major collagens differedy by the source: fish, chicken, pork or beef.

Eating supplemental collagen is more like eating animal parts that we usually skip from our diet: skin, tendons, cartilages or bones. There is no much of benefits of consuming collagen as it is already being "spent" by animal that it was extracted from. Think of collagen as organic glue: once hardened and used it had been changed to the extent that it could not be "melted and reused". Crucial for collagen elasticity and endurance aminoacids had been already converted to their hydroxy derivatives at the time when it was incorporated in the animal's tissues. Eating it is no much of use. The collagen in supplements after breaking down by our diggestive system would not provide with the right amounts of Lysine and Proline to help overcome possible defficiency. Healthy diet would do! Vitamin C is indeed helpful (and crucial) in converting strands of pro-collagen made in mitochondrias of our cells to durable collagen strands. Marketing of collagen is without solid scientific background, and not only as nutrient but also as a component of expensive cosmetic creams. Collagen on the skin just stays there without being absorbed. The only technique that works are subdermal injection of collagen to puff wrinkles. The risk of acquiring some nasty inflammation or allergic reaction is quite signifficant.

Enjoy spending money on something that you eat every day in much larger amounts! - unless your diet is Coke and chips.

- anon35874
18
You wrote that the collagen used in most beauty products comes from animals such as pigs. Where else has collagen been found?
- anon30862
17
What are the comparative benefits of gelatine as compared to collagen?
- waverlyguy
16
will collagen help the pain in an arthritic knee?
- leslie
15
How can i benefit naturally from collagen? What to eat? what to put on my face for wrinkles? etc?
- shadiabalbaa
13
Hi, You mentioned cow and pig collagen. what about fish collagen (freshwater if that matters)? Are there any good? Thank you for your answer.
- anon17367
12
Dayton or whoever,

Where can i find the gelatin for the pigs? Years ago, Dead Doctor's Don't Lie also added gelatin to their nutritional formula for the same reason.

- tendons4us
11
Does Collagen help Incontinence ???
- anon15743
10
i have a question. the mascara maybelline colossal contains collagen is that ok?
- anon15662
9
Is there a way to have too much collagen? If so, what would the result be?
- anon13053
8
Do collagen supplements help with sagging skin issues after a major weight loss, too, does anyone know? Thanks.
- severina418
7
The collagen used in commercial products is not human collagen, it is usually cow or pig collagen, it is similar enough to have the same effect as human collagen but different enough that the body recognizes it as foreign. Anything the body recognizes as foreign has the potential to cause allergies.
- anon10778
6
I am allergic to anything with Collagen. how is that possible if it occurs naturally in the body? Terri
- anon9792
5
I have poor circulation in my legs that caused swelling and open lesions. Will collagen be of a benefit for me?
- anon6712
4
Lili,

A few years ago I received a cassette tape of a message by a veterinarian who had performed thousands of autopsies on animals, mostly farm animals. At one point he was involved in solving a local problem with pigs dying prematurely. He performed the autopsy and discovered the pigs had developed hardening of the arteries. He prescribed gelatin, which is primarily collagen, to be put into the pig's feed. This solved the problem. The theory he ultimately came up with was this...without the proper nutrition (collagen) arteries become weak, primarily the main arteries around the heart that are under stress from pumping blood. The body's natural response is to fortify the artery walls with cholesterol. The weaker the arterial walls, the more cholesterol over time, until they become clogged. By including gelatin in the diet, the arterial walls are strengthened, thus avoiding the need for cholesterol to stick to them in a vain attempt to strengthen them. Hope that helps, for what it's worth.

- bobr
3
Lili,

I am not an expert, but I did a bit of research and discovered that many doctors believe that vitamin c and collagen can actually reduce risk of heart attack and help counteract symptoms of heart disease.

Looks like you're helping yourself out in two ways!

- Dayton
2
I have a heart condition (I had a heart attack 12 years ago). I am taking Collagen plus Vit. C pills every day. I want to know if this affects my arteries, principally my heart arteries. Can I take this long term?

I take this for my tendons.

Thanks for your answer.

- Lili
1
Can a diabetic drink collagen?

Can a person with poor blood circulation drink

collagen?

- anon3690

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Written by N. Madison
Last Modified: 07 October 2009

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