Boosting Skin Health with Collagen

You may have heard about the “miracle” benefits of collagen and how it can turn back the clock, firm up your skin and work wonders in the anti-ageing process. Sounds almost too good to be true, right? 

Let’s delve into this potent substance. 

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein that’s found in the body. In fact, it’s the most “abundant” protein in the body, making up the main parts of important connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles. 

Seeing as it’s such a major player in the body, we can correctly assume that collagen has many vital tasks – from boosting skin health to strengthening bones and joints. The human body contains 28 types of collagen, and these are found in various parts of the body, responsible for different functions.

Some of these jobs include replacing dead skin cells, maintaining skin elasticity and helping to create a protective covering for our organs.

There’s also research around the fact that collagen (supplements) can improve feelings of satiety, which is helpful for those who may be struggling to lose weight. As we get older, the body naturally produces less collagen and existing collagen breaks down faster. This is especially concerning for women who are postmenopausal.

What does collagen do for the skin?

It’s estimated that around three-quarters of the dry weight of skin consists of collagen. Besides strengthening your skin, collagen is found in many beauty products thanks to its properties that promote skin elasticity and hydration – important in the fight against wrinkles. 

Good quality collagen supplements or collagen skin products can help the body to stimulate collagen production and build up other body proteins to get the skin into a healthy condition again. 

In fact, collagen is also often used in wound healing. A 2021 report published in the journal, Bioengineering, highlighted a key benefit of collagen. “Collagen, a key component of the extracellular matrix, plays critical roles in the regulation of the phases of wound healing either in its native, fibrillar conformation or as soluble components in the wound milieu. Collagen, being central in the regulation of several processes, has been utilised as an adjunct wound therapy to promote healing.”

Ask your pharmacist for advice before choosing a suitable collagen for your skin and always read up on the potential side effects of the product.

Good to know

There are also certain foods that can naturally increase your collagen intake, including bone broth, chicken, shellfish, egg whites, berries, citrus fruit and fish with the skin on.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.