Collagen Overview: What is Collage, Types of Collagen & Function?

What Is Collagen?

One of the proteins that make up the body is collagen. It is a protein whose job it is to keep the body's various components together. It is a protein that is produced by fibroblast cells and is found in the bodies of all animals, including humans. Collagen is also known as glue protein due to its properties. Collagen protein that makes up skin and hair. About 30% of the protein in the human body is said to be collagen. Of the collagen, 40% is distributed in the skin, 20% in bones and cartilage, and the rest in blood vessels and internal organs. When we think of collagen, we usually think of it as skin, but it actually exists in all tissues of the body.

Function of the collagen? 

The main function of collagen is joining connective tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, bones, cartilage, haematological and adipose tissue and organs). Likewise, it acts as a supportive element that enables the body as a whole to be held together. Its purpose is to produce the fibres from which the organism's structures are made; as a result, it determines the degree of firmness and elasticity of these body structures. In addition, it also plays an important role in keeping the body hydrated. 

In the case of bones, collagen is combined with calcium crystals. When collagen and calcium crystals combine to form bones, the resulting structure is hard and rigid; when collagen and elastin combine to form a skin, the resulting structure is network-shaped; when collagen and elastin combine to form cartilage, the resulting structure is a gel that absorbs the impacts caused by joint movements. All of the body's tissues and structures experience this. Hence, collagen holds the function of the whole body.

At the age of 30 or after 30, the collagen production and power of collagen to combine with other compounds decrease. That is why the body experiences disaster changes in the body. It causes problems with skin, bones, muscles and many more. According to estimates, the body creates half of the collagen at the age of 40 as compared to the young age. The loss of skin elasticity and flexibility, as well as joint pain, are some effects of this drop in production levels.

Collagen Produced In The Body

Collagen can be produced in the body without being ingested from food. However, it requires Vitamin C to create collagen. The synthesis of collagen is impossible without vitamin C.

Lack of vitamin C leads to scurvy, which inhibits the synthesis of collagen. Blood arteries lose their flexibility when collagen is absent, making them more prone to bleeding.

Your body can produce collagen protein, but if you don't get enough vitamin C, you won't get enough of it. While adding best collagen supplements, it is also important to pay attention to vitamin C as well, it is important to take amino acids, which are the building blocks. In addition, vitamin A is necessary for the synthesis of collagen.

Types Of Collagen

There are many types of collagen, more than 19 types. which are not thought of as a single protein but rather as a family of molecules since they vary according to the tissue in which it functions and the substances with which it is associated, among other things. Identical in nature, yet distinct from one another.

It is classified into types I, II, III, etc., according to the order in which it was discovered, and is characterised by slightly different shapes.

• Type I: This type of collagen makes up about 90% of the body's collagen It appears as fibres with striations that are clustered and form chains to give the body's tissues flexibility and resistance and is mostly found in the bones, cornea, dermis, and tendons.
• Type II: IT is present in elastic cartilage as well as in vitreous fluid of the eye, and some embryonic tissues. These tissues are resistant to sporadic pressure.
• Type III: It is found in the skin, veins, and muscular tissues. The organs that have the capacity to expand and contract are supported by it.
• Type IV: Predominantly found on the skin. Its purpose is to support the skin and enable it to filter various chemicals.
• Type V: Predominantly found in internal body organs and tissues like eye cornea, etc. Its role is similar to that of type I in that it provides tissue resistance. 

Collagen For Skin

Collagen is an essential protein for the skin. Skin health is one of the collagen benefits. It creates and maintains the structure of tissues to make up the body. It moderates the firmness and flexibility of the skin tissues and cells. The appearance and health of the skin, nails and hair are dependent only on the collagen protein. Collagen production starts reduced with age, with some remedies and supplements you can restore its level at a creatin degree like hydrolyzed collagen, and collagen protein. There are many types of supplements, powder and pills available on the market. It reduces the effect of wrinkles, and fine lines by boosting the elasticity and moisturization of the skin. Hence, add collagen supplement for skin.

Collagen For Muscles & Joints

Collagen is also essential for the joints and bones. It forms connective tissues and helps in movement. The combination of collagen and hyaluronic acid put a positive effect on the muscles and joints. Hyaluronic acid is found in the bones and skin, acting as a lubricant for cartilage and ligaments. It helps to restore elasticity, firmness, pain and improves joint flexibility and mobility. It is also a great option for the arthritis patient and helps in the degeneration of bone cells and tissues.

Types of Collagen From Raw Material

Many types of collagen are available in the market. Raw materials prepared from the different raw materials are roughly divided into three types-

• Plant-derived collagen (Plant Collagen): This type of collagen is prepared from plants, fruits, and vegetables. It is easy to digest and perfect for vegetarian people.
• Animal-derived collagen (Animal Collagen): This type of collagen is prepared from chicken or pig skin extract. It does not have a very high resolution and is considered to be difficult to digest. Bovine is one collagen type which is specially prepared from cows. Not highly famous in India.
• Fish-derived collagen (Marine Collagen): This type of collagen is prepared for the fish, natural fish skin. It is cheaper to try scale-derived than fish-skin-derived. 

Characteristics of plant-derived collagen

Type I is obtained from plant-derived collagen or vegan collagen. Tofu, Soy Protein, Bland beans, lemon, broccoli, sea buckthorn, etc are used in the preparation of this type of collagen. An organic and natural collagen supplement is smooth and good in taste. It is easy to digest and great to use.

Characteristics of animal-derived collagen

Type I, Type II, Type III, etc are obtained from the animal collagen. Cow bones, pig skins, chicken feet and cartilage are used to prepare the animal-derived collagen. The type of collagen obtained differs depending on the part of the animal. Like cartilage gives type II, skin and blood vessels give type III, etc. This type of collagen is most similar to human collagen. In addition, it is characterised by its low allergenicity and high biocompatibility.

Characteristics of fish-derived collagen

Marine Collagen or fish-derived collagen is Type I collagen and a large amount of type V collagen. The raw material for marine collagen is bones and skins from the fishes like tuna, bluefish, salmon, etc. It is commercialised as collagen peptides that have been reduced in molecular weight by enzymes. The regular use of marine collagen supplements is easy to absorb due to their lower molecular weight. 

How To Ingest Collagen

Collagen is available in natural food, vegetables and many more. Collagen is made by many amino acids. Therefore, if you are able to consume protein, which is also made up of amino acids, from food, there is almost no shortage of collagen.

Foods rich in collagen include:

• Gelatin
• Chicken wings
• Shark fin
• Beef tendon
• Chicken skin
• Broccoli
• Berries and many more

Collagen-rich and healthy foods

Here is a list of collagen rich foods that you can use for collagen production and increase the level of collagen in the body, if you do not want to add the best collagen powder in india.

• Healthy Broth: Collagen is highly available in the skin, cartilage and bones of animals. Of course, you cannot consume this directly. Hence, having a broth or soup prepared from the bones and chicken legs is a great idea. It is a very nutritious option that helps in collagen as well as daily requirements of the body. Add vegetables in the broth too while preparing and consume it at dinner to avoid indigestion.
• Blue Fish: Fish is rich in protein, minerals and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats which increase collagen function and production in the body. You can have raw or cooked blue fish in your diet. In addition, it strengthens the bones as well as increases collagen production. Trout, tuna, salmon, and sardines are some of the fish examples.
• Meat: Having meat is good for the collagen level. As said, add it in broth or use it in some other way. Chicken, turkey, or rabbit are the ideal choices because they have a lower level of saturated fat and are considered to be lean meats, which are those with less than 10% total fat.
• Lemon: Lemon is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important vitamin required for collagen production in the body. It gives extra hype for the collagen level and collagen production. It improves the skin cells and overall skin health
• Gelatin: Gelatin is the protein which increases collagen production in the body. Well, the source varies from an animal. The source of gelatin is cows and pigs. The protein and amino acids present in the gelatin support collagen production. 
• Nuts: As with oily fish, nuts also contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids that increase the collagen in the body. Try a handful of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, etc to strengthen the collagen protein in the body.

Likewise, there are many kinds of collagen foods- pork, powdered skim milk, baked wheat gluten, Koya tofu, red bell pepper, broccoli, kiwi, strawberries, cabbage, soybeans, spinach, shrimp, etc are some other options to add.

Collagen Supplements

In most supplements, collagen peptides are used for the collagen supplements. Collagen peptides are low-molecular-weight products that have been degraded from collagen. It is used efficiently when collagen is resynthesized in the body. When we talk about collagen from food, decomposed collagen becomes collagen peptides and is then used by the body. Collagen is a high molecular protein and its absorption is not smooth. The collagen peptide is a low-molecule protein and is easily absorbed by the body. Hence, collagen peptides supplement is also great.

Any Collagen supplement is also an easy option to add to the daily routine. As collagen is synthesised from protein. If you eat protein in every meal, you may be able to take in enough protein. For a supplement, you can directly choose to have a collagen supplement whether veg or nonveg, both options are available.

• Collagen Powder: The powder form of collagen-rich foods or animals. Mix 1 scoop of collagen powder in the water or any liquid to use every day.
• Collagen Pills: The extract form used for the collagen capsules and tablets. It needs to be used every day after the meal.

In the case of any supplement, there are many products that contain vitamin C and iron, which are better when taken with collagen. Check the presentence of vitamin C, iron, and other minerals with the decided collagen product. Or you can add these supplements separately. Vitamin C is one of the important nutrients for collagen production.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Collagen