What is Collagen and its Types?
Collagen is responsible for the shape and structure of your skin and strengthening bones. It is found abundantly in the human body and is classified into five main types:
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Type I is a densely packed collagen that supports your skin, ligaments, bones, and tendons. Over 90% of collagen is type I collagen.
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Type II is mainly found in elastic cartilages and intertribal discs, which provide joint support and shock absorption.
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Type III is found in your muscles and arteries.
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Type IV collagen is present under layers of skin.
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Type V is found in the cornea of your eyes, hair, and tissue of the placenta.
Collagen cannot be measured, but some symptoms will tell you that the collagen levels are decreasing. These signs and symptoms include sagging skin, shrinking or weakening of muscles, frequent joint pains, stiffer and less flexible tendons, etc.
What are Collagen Supplements?
Despite the abundance of collagen in our body, supplements are widely used to improve skin, hair, and muscle health. Cosmetic companies initially incorporated collagen in cosmetic products as a beauty agent. Collagen supplements are mainly sold today in the oral form of pills, powders, and power foods.
Collagen is sold as hydrolyzed collagen, or peptides as they are called. It is a broken-down version of collagen that is easier for our body to absorb. Collagen supplements also contain amino acids and nutrients related to skin and hair health, such as Vitamin C, zinc, and biotin.
Benefits of Collagen Supplements
Let us look at the 7 benefits collagen supplements offer that will give you glowing, youthful skin.
1. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Its capacity to visibly reduce and fill up fine lines and wrinkles is one of the most sought-after benefits of collagen supplements. Collagen fills in these lines and makes skin plump, giving it a more youthful appearance.
2. Improves skin tone
Collagen removes dead skin cells and helps in the natural regeneration of skin cells. The results are a smoother, uniform, and glowing complexion. Your skin tone and skin health largely determine how youthful you look.
3. Hydrates skin
Dehydrated skin looks dry and lifeless. Collagen is known to retain moisture in your skin, which results in higher hydration levels and healthy skin. Well-hydrated skin is healthy and lively, and you have a more luminous complexion.
4. Toughens the skin
Our skin tends to lose its firmness and elasticity as we age, giving it a saggy and wrinkled appearance. Collagen supplements aid in forming new collagen fibers and improve skin elasticity, giving the skin structural support and strength. Regular doses of collagen supplements will make your skin firm and smooth.
5. UV and Heat protection
Prolonged exposure to UV rays will deteriorate collagen levels and cause premature skin aging. Collagen supplements boost the skin’s defense mechanisms and negate the side effects by forming a protective layer over dermal layers and maintaining collagen levels.
6. Repairs wounds and scars
Collagen boosts the natural healing process by stimulating tissue growth, cell migration, and production of collagen fibers. It heals wounds and lessens the visibility of scars, improving your overall skin health.
7. Reduces acne scarring
If you have been dealing with the problem of acne and dark spots, collagen supplements are an easy way to encourage the growth of fresh cells and tissues. Cell turnover will give you an even-toned skin that is beautiful and healthy.
To conclude, the journey towards healthy and youthful skin becomes much smoother by including collagen supplements in your diet. Apart from its surface-level benefits, collagen supplements work deep beneath the layers of skin and give long-lasting results, unlike other over-the-counter cosmetic products. From reducing fine lines and dark spots to aiding skin-cell turnover, collagen supplements work on the root cause of the problem and treat it from within.
As the collagen production capabilities of our body diminish with age, these supplements provide essential proteins that are the foundation of your skin’s vitality and health. After all, who amongst us wouldn’t love to turn back the clock and have healthy and glowing skin?
