What is collagen?

What is collagen? Where about naturally found?

How to naturally provide collagen? What food is collagen in?

Types of collagen

How to supplement collagen?

What is collagen? Where about naturally found?

What is collagen? From a chemical point of view, it is a fibrillar protein (with a fibrous structure, performing a supporting function), without which we would not be able to function normally. Collagen is responsible for building most of our tissues, i.e. skin, joints and bones. Unfortunately, over time, its amount in our body decreases dramatically. In order to maintain skin elasticity and physical fitness, we should supplement collagen with age. We can also provide this protein with food. So what products can we find collagen in?

How to naturally provide collagen? What food is collagen in?

Truly natural collagen is the endogenous one, i.e. the one that is produced in our body. Increasingly, however, the term “natural collagen” is associated with a gel that can be obtained from the skin of a freshwater fish – silver carp. Therefore, we often and commonly use the term “fish collagen”. Only a few global manufacturers offer us such a product! In addition, in chemical laboratories, scientists have developed collagen hydrolyzate, which is a component of various dietary supplements. What else should be done to naturally stimulate the production of this protein in our body? You should drink plenty of water and get enough physical activity. When it comes to food, gelatin products have the most collagen. Gelatin is a substance that is a mixture of proteins and peptides, which we obtain in the process of the so-called collagen hydrolysis. It comes from bones, cartilage and animal skin.

Here are the products in which we can find the most collagen:

• offal,

• meat products, e.g. brawn,

• fruit jellies,

• boiled cartilage,

• meat preparations, for example brawn,

• chicken feet jelly,

• pork leg jelly,

• fish in jelly,

• boiled cartilage,

• chicken feet jelly

It is true that vegetables and fruits do not contain collagen, but they contain flavonoids. Their task is to protect collagen from disintegration. In this respect, it is worth eating blueberries, chokeberry, tomatoes, beets, and also black

Types of collagen

There are different types of collagen, each with a different structure and function in the body.

Here are some examples of collagen types:

• Type I collagen: This is the most common type of collagen and makes up about 90% of all collagen in the body. It is found in the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and most other connective tissues.

• Type II collagen: is the main component of joint cartilage and is also present in the lens of the eye.

• Type III collagen: found together with type I collagen in many connective tissues, including skin, tendons and muscles.

• Type IV collagen: is an important component of the basement membranes found in many internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs and skin.

• Type V Collagen: It is present in small amounts in connective tissues and has various functions, including the formation of a collagen network from type I collagen.

• Type VI collagen: found in connective tissues such as muscle and skin, and in basement membranes.

• Type VII collagen: is a component of the basement membranes of the skin and mucous membranes.

There are also other types of collagen, such as collagen types VIII, IX, X, XI and XII, which have their specific.

How to supplement collagen?

Collagen hydrolyzate is a substance obtained in a chemical process based on the hydrolysis of pharmaceutical gelatin. This substance is present in supplements recommended for people suffering from degeneration of the hip joint. Collagen hydrolyzate has an analgesic effect and also increases the concentration of hydroxyproline, a specific amino acid. In order to achieve good results, we should consult a doctor before starting supplementation. Clinical trials conducted by a team of doctors from the Cleveland hospital in the USA allowed to estimate the normative dose of collagen hydrolyser and it is 10 grams.

Let us remember, however, that each of us is different and depending on many factors (e.g. age, lifestyle, diet) may have a different need for collagen. When using supplements containing collagen hydrolyzate, you should – as with most supplements – exercise moderation and common sense. What can be the danger of its excess? For scarring the skin, liver and lungs. Therefore, the structure of these organs may be damaged. Do not take collagen supplements on an empty stomach. Food collagen, on the other hand, should be used after a meal, as it increases the chance of assimilating other vitamins and minerals