Collagen is a type of hard, fibrous substance that makes up about a third of all the protein in the human body. It is responsible for skin elasticity, hair strength and the resilience of most of the body's connective tissues. So when the body runs out of collagen, these parts degrade as well.
An amazing 28 different types of collagen have been identified. Of which 5 are most common, and Type 1 is the one found in skin. It is the main structural component that makes up the dermis - the middle layer of your skin.
Although collagen is generally plentiful in the body, collagen production does decline as people age. This is one of the reasons why hair, skin and bone tissues become weaker as the body get older. Levels of collagen have been depleted and their tissues are beginning to loosen or degrade.
Other factors that adversely affect collagen production include stress, poor diets, hormone problems and more. In worse cases, collagen depletion may even lead to muscle and bone ailments. So if you see symptoms that could be related to a lack of collagen then you should do something about it right away.
As one of the most common proteins in the body, collagen offers numerous benefits. Here are several examples of what collagen can do for the body:-
You can find at least some collagen in many types of healthy, natural foods, such as:
If you don't like to eat these kinds of foods, however, then you can also find supplements. Try adding collagen powder to your favorite drink. It is easy to digest, and is often used by people who want to increase levels but don't eat a well balanced diet.
Image credit: CSIRO