What Is Collagen And Why Is It So Important?

Collagen is a protein polymer that is the scaffolding of the body's cell structure. It is a long, fibrous structural protein that is very different from globular proteins like enzymes. It is composed of Tropocollagen Triple Helix. Each strand of the helix is a different polypeptide. Each subunit of Tropocollagen is a long rod of about 300nm in length and about 1.5nm in diameter. The tensile strength of collagen is greater than steel, giving the body strength in its connective tissues.

As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen makes up 40% of the protein in all mammals. 75% of the skin, the largest organ of the body, is collagen. It literally means "glue producer" in Greek. This is a very appropriate name for this protein since this is, in large part, what it does – it forms the connective tissue that binds the body together at the cellular level.

There are thirteen types of collagen with Type I being the most abundant. Type I is found in scar tissue, tendons and the organic parts of the bones. It is what gives skin its elasticity and strength. As we age, collagen is lost, causing the skin to wrinkle and tear easily. Vitamin C deficiency is characterized by defective collagen not forming strong connective tissue resulting in things like deteriorating and bleeding gums, loss of teeth, skin discoloration and wounds not healing.

Collagen is vital to the body as the main component of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, teeth and bones. The skin gets its strength and elasticity from this component, as said before. Blood vessels are strengthened by it and it plays an important role in tissue development. When blood vessels collapse, usually when an attempt is made to draw blood or establish an IV, it is most likely due to a breakdown of collagen.

Besides being an important part of connective tissue, it also plays a major role in other things like cell differentiation and shape. Healing is another part of it's function. It is a major part of the regeneration and healing of broken bones and blood vessels growing to feed healing areas.

To emphasize the importance of collagen, lets imagine for a moment, an elaborate beadwork piece. The piece is held together with thread but it is not seen. Pull the thread out and the beads fall apart. The thread is an absolute necessity to hold the beadwork together. So, too, is collagen a necessity to hold our bodies together and help them heal. Many people only know of collagen as part of cosmetic surgery and skin care creams. They do not realize just how important a role it plays in every part of our bodies.
Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about collagen.

How Are Collagen Tablets Used

You’ve probably heard of collagen and products such as collagen tablets, but may not necessarily know what they are. You may also be aware of injections that some women take in order to make their lips fuller. This is only one use of a remarkable substance that is necessary for all animal life.

What is Collagen?
Basically, collagen is a kind of protein. While the word “protein” is often used in association with food, the fact is that there are several different kinds of proteins in all living things, even plants.

In general, proteins are organic, or carbon-based compounds that consist of chains of molecules, the elements of which are primarily carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. These are known as “amino acids,” and are essentially the basic building blocks of life itself.
The function of proteins is to facilitate the many biochemical interactions and functions within living cells that allow life to exist.

What Does Collagen Do?
Collagen is responsible for maintaining our connective tissues such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons. One of the reasons our joints tend to become stiff and painful as we get older is because as we get older, our bodies’ production of collagen slows and our supply starts to diminish.

This is also why wounds heal more slowly as we age; this particular form of protein, which is fibrous and elastic (almost like rubber), is one of the main components in scar tissue.
Once we reach the age of 25, our collagen starts to diminish at an average rate of 1.5% per year. This means that by the time we are 40, nearly one-third of the collagen we had in our youth is gone. The result is that that our skin loses elasticity, and wrinkles begin to form.

What Can Be Done About It?
Collagen tablets and capsules are one effective way to replace that which is lost due to the aging process. Although there are many topical applications on the market, such as skin creams and lotions, the most effective ways to replace lost collagen is either through expensive and uncomfortable injections, or by taking internally in the form of collagen tablets or capsules.

By taking the substance orally, it is able to travel throughout the body, carried by the bloodstream to the areas where it is needed. Not only can your skin become firmer and younger-looking, you will probably feel younger as well – particularly when it comes to those stiff joints!

What Else Can Collagen Tablets Do For Me?
As you may know, we tend to lose lean muscle tissue as we get older. This is related to collagen; tablets can be of great help in maintaining and replenishing muscle mass when used in conjunction with regular exercise. In addition, you may see an improvement in hair and nail growth (it is not a cure for baldness, however).

How Should I Use Them?
It is recommended that collagen tablets be taken just before bedtime in order to take advantage of the body’s own natural repair and regeneration cycles.

Understanding How Collagen Functions And How It Benefits You

Who would want wrinkles on their faces, dry and sagging skin, and joint aches? I don't, do you? If only you could run after time, it's as plain as the nose on my face that you would race against it just to have that feeling of youthfulness and strength you once had. But, it's never too late. These signs of aging can be prevented by slowing down their development. It's so easy! Take that ridiculous thought of racing against time off of your mind. Just the thought of it makes me feel more aged! All you need to do is understand why these things occur. Its collagen or the lack of it that is responsible for the deterioration of your skin.

Collagen functions as scaffolding for our body. It is the fibrous protein constituent of skin, cartilage, bones and other connective tissue. An appropriate and enough collagen supply in our body are extremely required, however it is no easy to maintain and achieve. Unfortunately, it is established that our body loses collagen at a rate of 1.5% per annum, starting at the age of 25. Collagen functions as a chondroprotective agent, which means that it protects cartilage and synovial fluid against degeneration.

The depletion of collagen in our skin leads to the formation of wrinkles and the occurrence of other signs of aging. If this happens, collagen function simply defeats its purpose. Another collagen function is that it can reduce oxidative damage to joints, hence, stimulate major decrease in joint pain, and swelling.

After we have understood the importance of collagen functions, we now realize how important enough supply of collagen in our body is. This is when collagen supplements step in. There are a wide variety of collagen supplements which are available at present. These collagen supplements replenish the diminishing supply of collagen in our body to perform its function. Regular intake of collagen supplement makes your skin nourished, and reduces joint pain. These supplements are made from natural ingredients such the ones found in different food, therefore, it is safe.

For the collagen functions to be maximized, maintain the collagen supply in your body by taking collagen supplement. The benefits these supplements give you include revitalizing your skin and keeping it healthy, reducing the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles, strengthen your nails and improve the condition of your hair. If supplement is taken before exercise or any physical activities, collagen functions at its best, increasing both energy and performance. They can also maintain and replenish lean muscle mass to improve the administration of your body's fat, therefore, take part in managing weight.

It is very important to know and understand the collagen functions in order for us to prevent the early signs of aging by slowing them down through regular intake of collagen supplement. If you want to live your life to the fullest, feeling and looking young, take care of your health and replenish your body's reducing supply of collagen.

An Overview Of Collagen

It slices, it dices, it will help you win the lotto. Of course, we are talking about collagen, the popular skin treatment solution. Here is an overview of collagen.

An Overview of Collagen?
There are many materials that make the human body what it is. Bones make up the structural basis of the human body, while muscles and connective tissue fill in the rest. The skin is our outer protection, the facade that is seen by the rest of the world, and it's often the area that most people concentrate on when trying to change their appearance cosmetically. There are other areas that can change the way we look, however, and one important substance that has the ability to change our image is collagen.

Collagen is a protein – the main protein in the connective tissue of animals. It is also the most abundant protein found in the bodies of mammals with fully 40 percent of the total amount protein in our bodies being collagen. This protein is a long, fibrous structure with a lot of strength in the way it's formed. Collagen, along with keratin (another protein structure) is responsible for both the elasticity and strength found in human skin, and it also plays a role in tissue development.

When collagen degrades, skin changes shape. The degradation of collagen happens naturally as people age and the shape of the skin changes naturally as well. Less collagen means that your skin is not as elastic or able to hold to the structures below it, causing wrinkles and stretch marks to form. When collagen is lost from other body structures, such as ligaments, it can cause problems with joint pain and mobility.

So, what can be done about the loss of collagen? Since wrinkles are caused by this protein loss, doctors and cosmetic companies have been experimenting for years with ways to replace the missing collagen. Unfortunately, there is a high risk of reaction to organic collagen injections and other treatments with these reactions causing side effects that range from swelling to itching and rashes. Many plastic surgeons and doctors have discontinued using collagen injections for this reason.

Synthetic collagen, along with other wrinkle fillers such as Restylane, are now being used in place of traditional collagen injections. This way, people can get the same benefits of replacing this missing protein without having to deal with adverse reactions. When you hear someone mention collagen treatments, they are really referring to the synthetic option.
Combating collagen degradation is sure to continue to be a big research area in plastic surgery for years to come. This is particularly true as the baby boomer generation ages.