Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. And what does collagen do: it plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and strength of your skin, hair, nails, muscles, bones, blood vessels, connective tissue and organs. Unfortunately, the natural production of collagen declines as we age, usually starting at age 25. By the time we reach 50, no collagen is even produced anymore. This can lead to signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines and reduced elasticity of the skin, as well as weaker joints and brittle hair.
Protein
First, let's look at protein in general. Proteins are present in many animal products, such as meat, fish and eggs, as well as in smaller amounts in plant sources such as legumes. These proteins are composed of different amino acids, the building blocks that make up a protein. In total, our body has 22 different amino acids for different processes. Collagen, an important protein, contains 18 of these amino acids.
Viscollagen bears the closest resemblance to human collagen, making it more easily absorbed by our bodies. If you choose vegan collagen, for example, your body will convert it to its proper composition after ingestion.
Collagen plays a role in (the formation of) various processes or elements in your body:
- Skin
- Joints
- Bones
- Hair and nails
What is collagen in?
As mentioned earlier, collagen is a protein. You can find it in different types of foods. For example, animal sources such as: Bone broth, especially from the connective tissue and bone brand. Also in fish, beef and eggs you can find collagen. In plant sources, for example, you can eat soybeans, this contains building blocks that can support your body in the production of collagen. Beans and lentils contain several amino acids that are necessary for the production of collagen.
What negatively affects collagen?
There are elements that affect or damage collagen (production). One is a lot of UV radiation, the UV radiation can damage cells and DNA. Which can have an effect on skin and elasticity. In addition, you increase the toxic load by releasing free radicals that can also damage collagen.
The intake of lots of sugars also has an impact. When you eat sugar the collagen proteins attach to each other, this causes your blood sugar levels to rise and the elasticity of the collagen can decrease.
In addition, smoking also causes free radicals to enter your body that can damage your collagen.
From your 25th year of life, your body's collagen production decreases. You can support this by eating a sufficient and varied diet that contains collagen. In addition, you can also supplement collagen to replenish it.