What is collagen? article image

What is collagen?

Collagen is an important building material in our body. Collagen can be likened to a three-dimensional scaffolding that provides structure and strength to our skin, hair, nails and many other tissues in the body such as cartilage, muscles and blood vessels.

Already at the age of 25, our production of collagen decreases, which can impair, for example, the quality of the skin but also affect us in other ways. Through a diet rich in protein, as well as a healthy lifestyle, we can prevent the loss of collagen in our body. We can also use dietary supplements.

At Elexir Pharma we have several different dietary supplements with collagen that are easily absorbed by the body. You can find collagen both in the form of powder and capsules, as well as in combination with other active ingredients.

Different types of collagen

Collagen is a protein that is an important building block in our bodies. It consists of amino acids that together form fibers found in skin, bones, muscles and joints. Collagen makes up a third of all protein in the body, making it the most abundant protein in humans.

There are 16 different types of collagen in our body, all of which have slightly different functions. The three most common types of collagen are type I, type II, and type III.

Collagen type I, II, III - for hair, skin and nails

Collagen type 1 is the most abundant collagen in the body and is found mainly in skin, hair, nails, and organ tissues. Collagen type 1 is particularly important for skin health because a large portion of the skin is made up of collagen.

Collagen type 1 helps maintain skin firmness and elasticity, which prevents the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen type 1 is also needed for our bone health, where it helps make the bone structure strong but still somewhat flexible, which reduces the risk of fractures.

Collagen type II - for cartilage and joints

Collagen type 2 is found primarily in the cartilage in our joints. This protein contributes to the elasticity and resilience of cartilage, which is crucial for our joints to function smoothly and pain-free.

Unlike type 1 collagen, which is found in large quantities in skin and bone, type 2 collagen is more specialized and concentrated in cartilage tissue. It helps maintain the integrity of cartilage to ensure proper shock absorption in joints, which is especially important in weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees.

Collagen type III - for skin and blood vessels

Collagen type 3 is found in large amounts in our blood vessels, skin and certain organs. Collagen type 3 is particularly important for providing elasticity and strength to tissues that require stretch and flexibility, such as blood vessels and skin.

This type of collagen is often found together with collagen type 1, especially in the skin, where together they help build and maintain the skin's structure and elasticity.

Other types of collagen

The remaining types of collagen, just like types 1, 2 and 3, have specialized tasks in the body. These include supporting kidney function, anchoring the skin to underlying tissues, and contributing to the elasticity and strength of various tissues.

How collagen is formed in the body

Our body can produce collagen on its own. The body's collagen production begins by combining amino acids — primarily glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and arginine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are produced in the body or absorbed through dietary supplements and protein-rich foods.

Collagen production decreases with age

As we age, our body produces less collagen, a decline that usually begins at the age of 25. This causes our skin to lose its elasticity over time and fine lines and wrinkles begin to form.

Collagen fibers already in the body simply break down faster than they can be replaced. This breakdown can be accelerated by factors such as UV radiation, pollution, and smoking.

The quality of the collagen produced also deteriorates, causing the fibers to become uneven and disorganized, reducing the elasticity of the tissues and increasing the risk of damage. In addition, the proportions between different types of collagen can change, affecting the structure and firmness of the skin.

All of these changes in collagen affect not only the skin but also the joints, bones, and blood vessels, contributing to stiffer joints, weaker bones, and less elastic blood vessels – in other words, the changes the body undergoes as we age.

However, we can partially prevent these changes through a healthy lifestyle.

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How you can support your body's collagen production

Eat collagen-rich foods

A good way to support collagen production is to eat foods that are naturally rich in collagen, such as bone broth, which is made by simmering bones from meat or fish. This process extracts the collagen and makes it available for consumption. Collagen is also found in foods such as meats with a lot of connective tissue, such as flank steak and ribs, and in fish such as salmon and mackerel.

Make sure you get enough vitamin C

In order for the body to synthesize collagen effectively, vitamin C is needed. By eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, kiwi, peppers, broccoli and strawberries, you can help maximize the body's own collagen production.

Eat protein-rich foods

Since collagen is a protein, it is important to have a diet rich in protein to support collagen production. Foods like chicken, beef, eggs, and legumes contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of collagen.

Take collagen supplements

You can also support your body's collagen production with supplements. Supplements containing hydrolyzed collagen are easy for the body to absorb, along with vitamin C, which supports the body's own collagen production. They can be taken in powder or capsule form and are a convenient way to increase your collagen intake.

Trace elements and antioxidants

Minerals like zinc and copper, as well as antioxidants like selenium, are important for collagen production. These substances are found in nuts, seeds, shellfish, and whole grains.

Frequently Asked Questions – What is collagen?

Our dietary supplements with collagen

At Elexir Pharma you will find dietary supplements with collagen in different forms. We have collagen in the form of powder but also capsules for those who find it more convenient. With our vitamin C supplements you can also support your own body's collagen production.