Collagen: What It Is And What It's For

Collagen is a protein responsible for conferring firmness and elasticity to the skin, and it is produced naturally by the body, but can also be found in foods such as meat and gelatin, in moisturizers and in food supplements in capsules or powder form. 

This protein is very important to keep cells firm and united, preventing the appearance of stretch marks, wrinkles and expression lines; in addition, it is also essential to promote healthy hair and nails.

Collagen is also essential for the formation of tendons, cartilage and ligaments present in the joints, preventing contact between the bones and, therefore, their wear and tear. 

Collagen: what it is and what it's for

What collagen is used for

Collagen is an important protein for maintaining skin firmness and the proper functioning of the body, and offers the following benefits:

1. Prevents the appearance of wrinkles

Collagen is the major constituent of skin cells, promoting the strengthening and increasing the elasticity and hydration of the skin, which is why it helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines. 

Certain studies have shown that consuming supplements with collagen stimulates the body to produce other proteins that also increase the firmness and elasticity of the skin, such as elastin and fibrillin, helping to slow its aging and reducing wrinkles and dryness. 

2. Helps in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs due to the wear and tear of cartilage, which is mainly formed by collagen, causing inflammation, swelling and pain in the joints, and has the function of lining the bones, cushioning impacts and preventing contact between bones.

Generally speaking, the amount of collagen produced by the body decreases with age, increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis. 

Certain studies have shown that consuming collagen supplements contributes to the reduction of joint inflammation, apart from stimulating the body to produce collagen, which decreases pain, being very useful to help in the treatment of osteoarthritis. 

3. Strengthens bones

Collagen is important for conferring structure and firmness to bones, keeping them strong; however, with aging, the amount of collagen in bones decreases, making them more fragile and less dense, which increases the risk of fractures and also hinders healing. 

Many studies have shown that collagen supplements help to strengthen and increase bone density and decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis or osteopenia. 

4. Increases muscle mass

Collagen is necessary to keep muscles strong and functioning properly, so using collagen supplements helps to increase muscle mass and strength, thanks to the fact that it promotes the synthesis of muscle proteins such as creatine, for example. 

Also, collagen supplementation can be very useful for athletes, people with sarcopenia or to prevent muscle loss that occurs with aging. 

5. Improves cardiovascular health

Collagen is part of the structure of arteries, promoting greater elasticity of blood vessels, which facilitates the transport of blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When there is not enough collagen in the body, arteries can weaken and become more fragile, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, which is a cardiovascular disease characterized by narrowing of the arteries, which can cause heart attack or stroke, for example. 

Some studies have shown that taking collagen supplements improves cardiovascular health and helps reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis. In addition, these supplements also increase good cholesterol, which is important for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disorders. 

6. Promotes hair and nail health

Collagen helps promote hair and nail health, as it is also part of these tissues, increasing the growth and elasticity of the strands and improving nail strength, making them stronger and healthier. 

When should I use collagen

Collagen use is indicated when cSigns begin to appear that indicate that the concentration of this protein in the body is decreased, which can be observed more frequently after the age of 50. Thus, some signs that indicate a lower amount of collagen are:

  • Decreased thickness of hair strands;
  • Increased sagging and loss of skin elasticity;
  • Appearance of wrinkles and expression lines;
  • Appearance of stretch marks;
  • Thin and dehydrated skin;
  • Decreased bone density as in cases of osteopenia and osteoporosis;
  • Weakness of joints and ligaments.

    • In the presence of signs that indicate low amounts of collagen in the body, it is important to consult a doctor for a complete evaluation and may indicate the use of supplements, if necessary.

    How to Replenish Collagen

    To replenish collagen and ensure the full benefits of this protein, it is important to increase the consumption of collagen-rich foods. However, in some cases, when the consumption of collagen-rich foods is insufficient, the physician may recommend the use of supplements.

    Collagen-rich food

    To replenish collagen in the body, a diet rich in this protein can be taken, so it is recommended to increase the consumption of red and white meats, in addition to gelatin, for example, being also important to add to the daily diet foods rich in vitamin C, as they help to improve the absorption of collagen.

    Similarly, it is important that foods rich in collagen are consumed together with foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange, kiwi, pineapple or papaya, as this vitamin helps to increase the absorption of collagen in the body.

    Collagen Supplements

    Collagen supplements can be taken in the form of capsules, tablets or powder, which should be diluted in water and taken together with lemon juice, for example, being important that the use of this supplement is indicated by a doctor or a nutritionist.

    These supplements can be purchased in pharmacies, health food stores, drugstores or online stores, for example, in the form of hydrolyzed collagen. In addition, treatment with these supplements should be continued for at least 9 months, with a maximum daily dose of 9 g of collagen being recommended.

    See how to take hydrolyzed collagen.

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