13/05/2024
COLLAGEN.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. The protein is found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage. Collagen is therefore responsible for, among other things, the elasticity of the skin and the health of bones and joints. It provides structural support to tissues and plays an important role in cellular processes, such as:
tissue repair
immune response
cellular communication
cellular migration (a process necessary for tissue maintenance)
Connective tissue cells, or fibroblasts, produce and maintain collagen. As we age, fibroblast function is compromised and collagen production slows. These changes, along with the loss of another important structural protein elastin, lead to signs of aging, such as sagging skin and wrinkles.
Collagen can only be produced by animals and humans. When it comes to supplements, bovine or fish collagen is often chosen. A vegan variant does not officially exist. Vegan collagen often contains a combination of nutrients that stimulate the production of the body's own collagen, such as vitamin C, zinc and copper. The amino acid profile of human collagen can be imitated with vegetable amino acids. A combination of the right amino acids and excipients can promote collagen production in the body.
Collagen supplementation therefore offers various health benefits, we substantiate the four most important ones:
1. Can improve skin health
2. Contributes to muscle growth
3. Helps relieve joint pain due to osteoarthritis
4. Can inhibit bone loss and prevent osteoporosis
The turnover of collagen in your body is a slow process. As such, no matter what your goal is, it will take at least 8 weeks to experience noticeable results.
The vast majority of studies take 8 weeks or longer to assess the effects of collagen on skin health and joint pain. Other studies use longer periods, such as 12 months, to measure the effect on bone health.
A healthy dose of patience is therefore needed to notice the effects of a collagen supplement.
The facts above are partly translated from a very interesting Dutch website:
Collageenpoeder, bekend om de werking op huid, haar en nagels, zet men in bij bot- en gewrichtsaandoeningen zoals osteoporose en artrose.
