Collagen constitutes 1% to 2% of muscle tissue and 6% by weight of skeletal muscle. [4] The fibroblast is the most common cell creating collagen in animals. Gelatin, which is used in food and industry, is collagen that was irreversibly hydrolyzed using heat, basic solutions, or weak acids.
Understanding the Context
[5] health.com has been visited by 100K+ users in the past month The 10 Best Collagen Supplements Of 2026 For Any Budget. All Products Lab Tested. Health Ranked The 10 Best Collagen Support Supplements Available In Jan 2026 Collagen is a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity or stretchiness. It's in your bones, muscles, and blood, making up three-quarters of your skin and one-third of the...
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Collagen is a type of protein. Certain foods, such as animal skin and ligaments, are rich in collagen. Collagen is also available as a supplement.Many people hoping to support the health of their skin, joints, and hair pop collagen supplements daily or add collagen powder to their morning coffee, tea, or smoothie.Even though the use of collagen supplements and other collagen products is on the rise, most people don’t know what collagen actually is or what it does in the body.This article tells you everything you need to know about collagen, including what it is, what it does in your body, and whether collagen supplements are worth it.See full list on healthline.comCollagen is a type of protein. In fact, it’s the most abundant structural protein in animals. A structural protein is one that makes up the structure or framework of your cells and tissues (1).There are 28 known types of collagen, with type I collagen accounting for 90% of the collagen in the human body (2).Collagen is composed mainly of the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
Important Details
These amino acids form three strands, which make up the triple-helix structure characteristic of collagen (3).Collagen is found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage. It provides structural support to tissues and plays important roles in cellular processes, including (3, 4, 5, 6):•tissue repair•immune responseSee full list on healthline.comAs you age, your collagen production naturally declines. Additionally, collagen becomes fragmented and more loosely distributed (10).These changes lead to the characteristic signs of aging, such as wrinkles and dry, sagging skin. The integrity of the collagen found in the skeletal system decreases with age as well, leading to reductions in bone strength (11).While collagen loss and damage as you age are inevitable, certain dietary and lifestyle factors can accelerate this process.For example, smoking cigarettes is known to degrade collagen and cause skin aging, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity (12, 13).
Final Thoughts
Excessive drinking has also been shown to accelerate skin aging by reducing collagen production and damaging skin repair mechanisms (13). Additionally, following a diet high in added sugar and ultra-processed foods can lead to premature aging by contributing to a process called glycation, which reduces collagen turnover and interferes with collagen’s ability to interact with surrounding cells and proteins (14).See full list on healthline.comCollagen is found in all animals, and it’s concentrated in some parts of an animal, such as skin and joints.Here are few examples of collagen-rich foods (16):•bones, skin, and ligaments of animals, such as chicken skin and pig knuckle•certain types of seafood, such as fish skin and jellyfish•products made from animal parts such as bones and ligaments, including bone brothBecause your body naturally produces collagen from amino acids, you can support collagen production by ensuring that you’re eating adequate amounts of protein from foods like poultry, fish, beans, and eggs. See full list on healthline.comPotential skin benefitsOne of the most popular uses of collagen supplements is to support skin health. Research suggests that taking collagen supplements may improve certain aspects of skin health and appearance. A review of 19 studies that included 1,125 participants (95% women) between the ages of 20 and 70 found that taking hydrolyzed collagen improved skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles compared with placebo treatments (19). Hydrolyzed collagen is a common type of collagen used in supplements that is created using a process called hydrolysis.
This process breaks down the protein into smaller pieces, making it easier for the body to absorb (20). A number of studies have shown that taking collagen supplements may improve skin hydration and elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, keep in mind that many of these studies were funded by companies that manufacture collagen products, which could have influenced the study results (21, 22). The doses of collagen shown to be effective for improving skin health in research studies vary, though most studies have used 2.5–15 grams per day for 8 weeks or longer (23, 24).Potential benefits for bonesIn addition to improving some aspects of skin health and appearance, collagen supplements may offer a few other benefits. One study looked at the effects of taking collagen supplements in 102 women in postmenopause who had reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Those who took 5 grams of collagen peptides per day for 1 year had significant increases in BMD in their spine and femur (a bone in the lower leg) compared with participants who took a placebo (25). A follow-up study in 31 of these women found that taking 5 grams of collagen daily for a total of 4 years was associated with a progressive increase in BMD. The researchers found that participants’ BMD increased by 5.79–8.16% in the spine and by 1.23–4.21% in the femur during the follow-up period (26). These findings suggest that taking collagen supplements long-term may help increase bone mineral density in people in postmenopause, who are at a greater risk of developing osteopenia and osteoporosis. What’s more, one review article concluded that taking oral collagen supplements reduced participants’ symptoms related to osteoarthritis, including stiffness (27). Collagen supplements may provide other health benefits as well, such as improving body composition in certain populations when combined with resistance training (28). It’s important to note that studies observed these beneficial effects of taking collagen mainly in older women with low bone mineral density. Therefore, collagen supplements may not have the same effects in other populations, such as men, those who are younger, or those who don’t have low bone mineral density.See full list on healthline.comCollagen supplements have a good safety profile and are not associated with adverse side effects. However, manufacturers often combine collagen with other ingredients in supplements. Certain ingredients could pose health risks, such as herbs and high levels of vitamins in supplements formulated to support the health of the skin, nails, and hair (29).For example, dietary supplement ingredients such as herbal extracts may interact with commonly prescribed medications, and some aren’t safe for people who are pregnant or nursing.What’s more, some supplements that contain collagen may also contain megadoses of nutrients like biotin, which could interfere with laboratory tests for heart and thyroid function.This and other vitamins and minerals could cause health issues if you take them in high doses for a long time (29).So, while supplements that contain only collagen are unlikely to cause any side effects, it’s important to read labels and understand the potential risks of supplements containing collagen combined with other ingredients.See full list on healthline.comIt’s impossible to prevent all age-related collagen loss, but it is possible to slow down the process.As mentioned above, diet and other lifestyle factors can significantly affect your body’s collagen production.Smoking cigarettes and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol negatively affect collagen production, as does following a diet high in ultra-processed foods and added sugar (12, 13, 14).On the other hand, leading a healthy lifestyle by following a nutrient-dense diet and avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use may help delay age-associated changes in collagen and reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles.Avoiding or reducing your intake of certain foods and beverages while increasing your consumption of others may help support collagen maintenance and overall skin health.For example, a diet low in compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may help promote skin health. AGEs are toxins that accumulate in the skin. They can cause collagen to stiffen and can inactivate proteins responsible for collagen repair (33).See full list on healthline.comWho should not take collagen?Collagen is safe for most people, but people with food allergies, such as fish or shellfish allergies, should check the label and make sure the collagen they choose does not contain those ingredients. Since collagen is an animal product, vegetarians, vegans, and people who follow a Kosher or Halal diet may want to avoid it as well. (35)Do collagen supplements interact with other medications?While there’s not much information to say that collagen interacts with other prescription medications, there may be other ingredients in dietary supplements, such as herbal extracts, that may interact with commonly prescribed medications. Talk with a healthcare professional before taking supplements.See full list on healthline.comCollagen is a protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendon, bone, and cartilage.It provides structural support to tissues and is also involved in essential bodily processes, including tissue repair and signaling between cells.Your body makes collagen naturally, but you can also consume it through collagen supplements and certain foods, which may benefit the health of your skin, your bones, and more.Studies show that taking collagen seems to be particularly helpful for certain purposes and populations, including for increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in people in postmenopause who have low BMD.Consuming enough protein, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc in a balanced diet is a healthy and less expensive alternative to supplements. By combining this with regular exercise, you can help minimize collagen and bone loss as you age.Even though age-related collagen loss is unavoidable, leading a healthy lifestyle can help protect against collagen loss, delay signs of aging, and promote overall health.See full list on healthline.comMay 23, 2022 · Collagen is the primary building block of your body’s skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, and other connective tissues. It’s also found in your organs, blood vessels and intestinal lining. · Collagen supplements may increase skin elasticity and boost skin hydration. Taking collagen can help relieve joint pain and may slow osteoarthritis progression. Collagen might promote heart health by improving artery strength and HDL cholesterol levels. · Dr. Lina Begdache, PhD, RDN, a registered dietitian and associate professor at Binghamton University, explains that collagen is a type of structural protein, which means it provides physical... · It is the most abundant protein in our bodies, especially type 1 collagen. It’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons. Collagen benefits are so striking because this protein is what helps give our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells. · Collagen is the primary building block of your body’s skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, and other connective tissues. It’s also found in your organs, blood vessels and intestinal lining. · Collagen supplements may increase skin elasticity and boost skin hydration. Taking collagen can help relieve joint pain and may slow osteoarthritis progression. Collagen might promote heart health by improving artery strength and HDL cholesterol levels. · Dr. Lina Begdache, PhD, RDN, a registered dietitian and associate professor at Binghamton University, explains that collagen is a type of structural protein, which means it provides physical... · It is the most abundant protein in our bodies, especially type 1 collagen. It’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons. Collagen benefits are so striking because this protein is what helps give our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells. · Dr. Lina Begdache, PhD, RDN, a registered dietitian and associate professor at Binghamton University, explains that collagen is a type of structural protein, which means it provides physical... · It is the most abundant protein in our bodies, especially type 1 collagen. It’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons. Collagen benefits are so striking because this protein is what helps give our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells.
