Does the health of your skin, hair, nails and joint worry you? Most people have at least one remedy they use to treat these health conditions, but do you know that you can promote your skin, nails, hair and joint health by taking one single supplement? Collagen is the solution.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is an important protein that holds your body together. It is found in the bones, skin, tendons, and muscles where it plays an essential role in providing strength and structure. Collagen is the most dominant protein in your body making up one-third of all proteins in your body. Your body comprises of at least 16 types of collagen with the types I, II and III making up about 80 to 90 percent of the collagen in the body.
There are five types of collagen protein that include type I, type II, type III, type IV and type V. The type I proteins are present in the bones, ligaments, skin, and tendon. The type II are present in the cartilages and structure of the eyes. The type III are present in the liver, lungs and arteries. The type IV are present in the kidneys and several internal organs. The type V are present in the hair, surface of the cells and placenta.
It is also important to note that although different cells in your body such as connective tissue cells help to generate collagen naturally, the synthesis tends to decrease as you age making it necessary to look for other sources of the protein. Furthermore, exposure to ultraviolet light and other environmental hazards can also decrease the synthesis.
What is the effect of collagen in the body?
Collagen plays an important role in the body. It not only holds the body together, but it also helps connect and support the body organs and tissues. Furthermore, it helps maintain the external and internal structure of body cells, support teeth and enhances the functionality of kidneys and other internal organs. It is also the one that gives your body strength and firmness.
The decrease of collagen in your body affects the functionality of all your body tissues and organs. It also causes the loss of flexibility, elasticity and resistance generating several body reactions in the short and medium term. Some of the body reactions that occur due to the decrease of collagen include the formation of fine wrinkles and wrinkles, slower healing of wounds, lack of tonus, muscle soreness, and more frequent fatigue.
What is the effect of collagen on the skin?
Collagen forms 90-percent of the skin middle layer the dermis. It helps to keep your skin smooth, healthy and full of life by acting as an anti-oxidant. Aging causes the protein to decrease resulting in the loss of hydration and thinning of the skin, which causes wrinkles. Moreover, the decrease causes the capillary tissues in the skin to thicken and become less efficient reducing the skin’s ability to retain water and nutrients. It is also important to note that as your skin becomes less healthy, the chances of developing brown spots, infections and stretch marks also increase as the barrier against bacteria weakens.
What causes the decrease of collagen?
The major cause of decrease is aging, but other lifestyle behaviors such as high sugar consumption, sunlight, smoking and autoimmune disorders can cause the reduction of collagen.
References
http://www.genacol.com/en/health-info/roles-collagen/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881.php
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/explain-role-collagen-180399
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