Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in your body that helps provide structure to your skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. It has been gaining a lot of attention lately due to its presence in nutritional supplements and cosmetic products. In this guide, we explore what is collagen, the types of collagen, and how it is essentially the glue that holds your body together. Ready to dive in?

What is Collagen?

The human body has one-third of collagen protein. It is a form of fibrous protein that helps in building bones, skin, ligaments, and muscles. It forms the structural matrix for your bones and skin. It’s because of the skin collagen your skin feels young and supple, your joints move seamlessly, and your bones stay strong.
Collagen can be better explained as the glue that holds your body together. Made up of amino acids, collagen contains glycine, proline, arginine, and hydroxyproline - they help with various important functions, such as improving gut health, immunity, wound healing, heart and liver health, and skin care.

Did You Know?

Your body loses up to 1.5% of its natural collagen every year after your early twenties. This is when the signs of aging start to appear, viz. non-elastic skin, dry skin, wrinkles, fine lines, brittle hair, painful joints, and bones. And to deal with these signs of aging, one needs collagen in the form of collagen supplements.

Collagen builders vs Marine Collagen vs Bovine Collagen

1. Collagen Builders

Collagen Builders are made up of completely natural ingredients that support collagen production in the body but are not necessarily made up of collagen. It is formulated to synthesize collagen without it being sourced from animal sources directly. It can be deemed useful for those who are vegan but wish to avail the benefits of collagen.

2. Marine Collagen

Marine collagen, on the other hand, comes from the skin or scales of fish which is the best collagen owing to its purity and efficacy. It contains type 1 and 2 collagen peptides, which are known to help your skin and also manage the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an auto-immune disease. Marine collagen is the best collagen powder available as it is absorbed better by your body, which is why it’s more effective when it comes to the benefits. Also, studies say that marine collagen supplementation can help you deal with bone and skin repair. And as it’s obtained from marine life, marine collagen is slightly costlier than bovine collagen..

3. Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen is made from cowhides. Mostly it contains type 1 and type 3 collagen along with amino acids. According to research, bovine collagen supplementation can improve laxity in chronologically aged skin. However, it has no impact on moisture retention. Also, bovine collagen is quite cheap compared to marine collagen.

What causes Collagen Loss?

Factors that can cause collagen loss are

• UV exposure (also called photoaging)
• Age
• Smoking
• Genetics
• Menopause
• Breathing in highly polluted air
• High consumption of processed food
• Stress

What are the benefits of collagen for skin?

Collagen, when consumed as a supplement, acts as a connective tissue and helps repair the skin barrier. It does so by replenishing the damaged or dead skin cells thereby bringing back the lost glow of your skin. This also helps the skin become and look more supple, and hydrated. Your body produces less skin collagen as you age, eventually leading to wrinkled and dehydrated skin, which is why additional collagen supplements can be beneficial after you enter your 20s.

What are the benefits of collagen for hair and nails?

Collagen is a rich source of essential amino acids that lead to a stronger structure of hair follicles. A stronger follicular structure means your hair is able to absorb more collagen which will result in reduced greying. Collagen also helps the cells fight damage to hair follicles, and can also help with the prevention of hair thinning and slowing down greying with age. Collagen is also power-packed with the necessary amino acids for nail growth and health, thereby also preventing brittle nails.

What are the benefits of collagen for our body?

Collagen is the main component of our body’s connective tissues and makes for about 25-35% of our body's protein content. That makes collagen extremely important to maintain optimum health. It helps the bones become denser as you age. A reliable collagen supplement can tremendously help replenish your bone health by improving bone mineral density. A combination of collagen peptides in your diet along with strength training also improves muscle mass.
With its large reserve of amino acids namely glycine, glutamine, and proline, collagen supplements are also effective in keeping the intestinal track and gut healthy. With time it also gives better structure to skin tissues and slows down the aging process.

What forms do you get collagen in India?

Collagen is available for purchase in stores and online in the following forms

• Powder
• Effervescent tablets
• Gummies

Signs you need Collagen Supplements

You cannot exactly measure when collagen levels have dropped, but there are a few symptoms of low collagen levels