What is collagen and what role does it play in our health?

Collagen is etymologically derived from the Greek word “kólla”, which means “glue”, and is a structural protein. It is an essential component of connective tissue and fulfills the function of holding the structures of our body together – so the name says it all. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for over 30%. As a basic structural protein, it ensures the tensile strength of connective tissue and can be found everywhere in the body where stability and shape are required, such as in ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bones, the periodontium, blood vessels, muscle and connective tissue as well as in the skin. In the skin, collagen makes up around 80 % of all tissue. Together with elastin fibers, it forms a rubber-like network structure that acts as an inner corset for the skin. This supporting framework ensures the skin’s resilience and elasticity and ensures that our skin smoothes out again after a hearty laugh.

What is collagen made of?

Collagen is formed by connective tissue cells and consists of 600 to 3000 amino acids, depending on the type. These are arranged in long protein chains that are wound around each other and consist mainly of amino acids. There are hydrogen bonds between the individual strands, which are crucial for the stability of collagen fibers. Due to their special structure, these fibers are not stretchable, but are characterized by an impressive tensile strength. The amino acids proline, glycine and hydroxyproline are particularly common in these chains. These polypeptide chains are also known as procollagen. Three such amino acid chains wind around each other to form a triple helix, the so-called tropocollagen unit. When several tropocollagen units join together, thin collagen fibrils are formed, which lead to thicker collagen fibers through further assemblies. You can imagine it like a rope in which individual fibers are twisted together to form a thick bundle.

How does collagen affect the body?

Collagen is important for the health of

• Skin, connective and supporting tissue
• Bones, teeth, gums and joints
• Blood vessels and blood flow
• Hair and nails
• Musculature
• Metabolism
• Intestinal health
• Immune system
• Eyes and more

Collagen plays a central role in the strength and structure of the entire body. Its effects extend across various tissues and organs, making it an indispensable part of human physiology. Here are the effects of collagen on different parts of the body in detail:

Muscles

It used to be assumed that collagen had no significant influence on muscle building, as it is not one of the contractile proteins responsible for muscle movement. However, a study from 2015 showed that taking collagen in combination with strength training can increase muscle mass. The exact mechanism of why collagen has this positive effect is not yet fully understood. It is suspected that collagen may support the regeneration and repair of muscle tissue, especially in older people whose natural collagen production decreases.

Bones

Collagen is also crucial for the structure and strength of bones. Bone tissue consists of bone cells surrounded by an extracellular matrix. This matrix fills the spaces between the cells and contains a high proportion of collagen. Collagen forms a scaffold that binds calcium and other minerals, which are responsible for the hardness of bones. Studies have also shown that collagen supplementation can increase bone density, which is particularly important in old age to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Joints and cartilage

Collagen is an essential component of the cartilage tissue that protects the joints. Cartilage acts as a buffer between the bones and ensures that the joints can glide smoothly and painlessly against each other. Collagen gives cartilage its stability and resistance to pressure, allowing it to withstand everyday stresses. If there is a lack of collagen or a degenerative disease such as osteoarthritis, the cartilage can break down, leading to pain and limited mobility. The intake of collagen, whether through diet or supplements, can support the maintenance and repair of cartilage tissue, helping to improve joint health.

Skin

Collagen is also a key factor in skin health. It forms a network of fibers that keeps the skin firm and elastic. As we age, natural collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkling and a loss of skin elasticity. Consuming collagen through supplements or certain foods can help to improve skin texture, retain moisture and slow down the appearance of signs of ageing.

Blood vessels

Collagen plays an important role in the structure and integrity of blood vessels. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels and helps to maintain their elasticity. A lack of collagen can lead to a weakening of the blood vessels, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases.

Connective tissue

Finally, collagen is also present throughout the body’s connective tissue, which links various organs and tissues together. It provides structural support and contributes to wound healing by promoting the formation of scar tissue.

Intestinal wall and mucous membrane

The intestinal wall is lined with a mucous membrane that serves as a protective barrier and enables the absorption of nutrients. Collagen contributes to the integrity of this mucosa by supporting the structure and strength of the tissue. A healthy mucosa is essential to maintain the intestinal barrier and prevent the penetration of harmful substances such as toxins and pathogenic bacteria. A lack of collagen can weaken this barrier, which can lead to leaky gut, a condition associated with various chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.anti-inflammatory effect

Anti-inflammatory effect

Collagen may also have anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial in the gut. Certain amino acids in collagen, such as glycine and glutamine, play a key role in the repair and regeneration of the intestinal mucosa. These amino acids can have an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to soothe an irritated or inflamed gut, which can be particularly helpful in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).

Support for digestion

Collagen contains amino acids that can promote the production of stomach acid. A sufficient amount of stomach acid is necessary for digestion and the absorption of nutrients such as proteins and minerals. In addition, collagen can aid digestion by promoting intestinal motility, which is the movement of the intestines responsible for moving food through the digestive system.

Healing intestinal damage

If the intestine is damaged by various factors such as a poor diet, stress or infections, collagen can help with healing. It promotes tissue regeneration and repair of the intestinal walls. This is particularly important in the treatment of intestinal diseases that can lead to damage to the mucosa, as fast and effective healing helps to restore healthy intestinal function.

Promotion of healthy intestinal flora

A healthy gut is closely linked to a balanced gut flora, i.e. the community of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Collagen can indirectly help support healthy gut flora by strengthening the gut’s barrier function, creating an environment in which beneficial bacteria can thrive. This can also help to support the immune system, as a large part of the immune system is anchored in the gut.

What leads to collagen degradation?

There are numerous different factors that promote the breakdown of collagen. A distinction can be made here between intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) influences.

Internal influences

From the age of around 25, the skin’s metabolism begins to slow down, which marks the start of the ageing process. As a result, the body’s own production of collagen also gradually decreases. Over time, the skin becomes thinner and more prone to dryness. The speed of skin ageing is partly genetically predetermined. Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menopause, can also accelerate the breakdown of collagen.

External influences

Harmful external influences that promote skin ageing and thus collagen breakdown include UV radiation, alcohol and tobacco consumption, an unbalanced diet, stress, lack of sleep, the use of certain medications and extreme temperatures, whether cold or heat.

A lack of collagen in the body leads to a loss of stability in the deeper layers of the skin and contributes to the development of wrinkles. In addition, a low collagen content has a negative effect on the condition of joints and muscles, which can lead to further health problems.

How should it be taken?

Beware of regular collagen products

Collagen products are currently all the hype in the beauty world. But the formulas are questionable. Their bovine collagen comes primarily from the very cattle farming that causes 80 percent of all the destruction in the Amazon. Large corporations, such as a well-known milk powder manufacturer, are happy to conceal this – the business is now too big. But if you don’t want to give up the dream of youthful skin completely, there is an ingenious alternative: vegan collagen building materials. It works even better and there are no environmental concerns!

Environmental activists are sounding the alarm:

Bovine collagen can be traced back to cattle from farms associated with tropical rainforest deforestation. The fact that actresses with high credibility, such as Jennifer Aniston, promote it doesn’t make it any better. Unspeakable suffering results. The indigenous peoples of the Amazon pay a high price for a little more collagen on our cheeks, not to mention the animals and irretrievable plant life that perish in the slash-and-burn.

Questionable recipes

The question is whether the results that are promised can actually be achieved with waste from cattle slaughter – cleaned and given a fancy name. In this sense, the few vegetarian collagen products on the market also appear questionable. The formulas are full of mistakes that would hardly be made with more knowledge of the context. For example, it makes little sense to combine zinc and copper in a formula, as they are antagonists that compete with each other in terms of absorption. So there is certainly room for something better.

What does a good collagen preparation need?

At the heart of this are always the “command generators in the body”, the amino acids lysine, glycine and proline produced from fermented plants, into which animal collagen must ultimately also be broken down during digestion before it can be used to build collagen. On the other hand, another major collagen building block for the body is required for stable cross-linking: Vitamin C. So far, all collagen supplements are blowing the same horn. But then there’s more to consider if you really want something particularly effective.

Nature sets the direction

Humans are sometimes referred to as chemical factories, but of course there is more to it than just matter. First and foremost, we need Qi, the life energy that controls everything and keeps it flowing, ensures good functions and keeps the body alive. Qi-less matter from the chemistry lab will never have as much positive effect as Qi-rich matter from nature.

Amino acids are also important: more than just beauty nutrients

Effect of collagen-forming amino acids

In a vegan, collagen-promoting preparation, certain plant-based amino acids are indispensable, as they – together with plant-based vitamin C – provide the essential nutrients for daily collagen formation. Three of these amino acids are of particular importance: L-lysine, L-glycine and L-proline. These can be obtained from fermented plants and play a central role in the formation and stabilization of collagen and elastin.

They also support cell renewal, connective tissue and wound healing. L-lysine ensures shiny hair and firm skin, making it an essential factor for beauty and youthfulness. L-glycine, which is also found in gelatine, is known as a collagen booster and promotes skin regeneration and hair growth. L-proline contributes to the firmness and structure of the skin, strengthens the skin barrier, can reduce the appearance of cellulite and supports the formation of hyaluronic acid, which increases skin moisture and plumps up wrinkles. Especially in combination with vitamin C, L-proline is crucial for the production of hydroxyproline, another important building block of collagen and elastin, which ensures the stability and resilience of collagen structures.

L-lysine

L-lysine is not only essential for collagen formation, but also plays an important role in muscle and bone formation as well as for the immune system. It inhibits the activity of enzymes that break down collagen and thus protects against collagen loss. Lysine contributes significantly to the maintenance of skin, connective tissue, bones, teeth, hair, vision, tendons, joints and blood vessel walls.

Lysine is particularly important for older people as it helps to maintain body structures and prevent the spread of inflammation, allergies and tumors. A lack of collagen leads to signs of ageing in all body structures, but lysine protects the body’s protein scaffolding, combats wrinkles and sagging connective tissue and lengthens telomeres.

L-glycine

L-glycine plays a decisive role in the formation of cartilage and contributes to the energy supply of muscle cells and muscle development. It is also an important component of haemoglobin metabolism and is therefore involved in oxygen transport. In addition, glycine is part of DNA, is involved in blood sugar regulation, supports the formation of bile acids and thus fat digestion. Glycine is also important for the immune system, and as a neurotransmitter it has a relaxing effect on muscle contraction.

L-proline

L-proline can be synthesized from glutamic acid, but this ability decreases from the age of 20. In old age, a lack of proline can cause collagen in connective tissue, bones and cartilage to suffer, which can lead to joint problems and unstable arterial walls. An adequate supply of proline is therefore crucial for the body to form stable collagen fibers. Proline accelerates wound healing, strengthens digestion and improves the intestinal barrier, especially in the case of leaky gut syndrome.

Like lysine, proline also protects against collagen degradation by blocking the activity of enzymes that break down collagen. This is particularly important in chronic diseases where these degrading enzymes are more active. In addition, hydroxyproline, a compound of proline and vitamin C, has a regenerative effect on bone and cartilage inflammation, supports tissue regeneration and promotes the formation of joints.

Consequences of collagen deficiency

Skin and connective tissue:

• Sagging cheeks, drooping eyelids
• Deeper wrinkles, dry and rough skin
• Stretch marks, sagging breasts, organ prolapse
• Back pain, joint pain, reduced flexibility

Hair and teeth:

• Dry, brittle hair, increased hair loss
• Teeth prone to caries, receding gums

Eyes:

• Dry eyes, clouding of the lens, cataracts

Circulatory system:

• Reduced vascular elasticity, increased blood pressure
• Exposure to cardiovascular system, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

Metabolism and digestion:

• Fatty liver, high cholesterol, overweight
• Slowed blood circulation, metabolic disorders, hemorrhoids, constipation, incontinence

Hormonal and gender-specific effects:

• Women: Premature menopause, vaginal dryness, increased risk of breast cancer
• Men: impotence, premature ejaculation

Immune system and respiratory tract:

• Reduced immune strength, reduced oxygen uptake
• Acidification of the body

Kidney and liver function:

• Increased susceptibility to nephritis, kidney failure, diabetes

What is the difference?

Collagen and hyaluron

Collagen and hyaluronic acid are often mentioned together as they have a number of similarities. Both substances are naturally produced by the body, can bind large amounts of water and are crucial for the youthful appearance of the skin. However, they work in different ways. Collagen is a protein that ensures the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is a polysaccharide that is responsible for increased volume and hydration, as it can bind 6000 times its own weight in water.

Collagen & Procollagen

Procollagen is the precursor of collagen. The term refers to both the individual amino acid chains of collagen and the triple helix formed from them, which still has so-called propeptides at the ends. These propeptides are split off immediately after release from the cell, resulting in tropocollagen – the basic building block of collagen fibrils and thus also of the final collagen fibers, which can be imagined as the tau described above.

Collagen in liposomal form with vitamin C and amino acids:
This product makes everything else superfluous.

Taking collagen in liposomal form offers the advantage of improved bioavailability. Liposomes are small vesicles that enclose the collagen and ensure that it is absorbed more effectively into the bloodstream. This allows the collagen to be transported more efficiently to where it is needed, such as the skin, joints and connective tissue.

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis as it is a necessary cofactor for the enzymes that convert procollagen into functional collagen. Without sufficient vitamin C, the body cannot produce collagen, even if sufficient procollagen is present. Therefore, the combination of collagen with vitamin C is particularly effective.

Amino acids are the building blocks of collagen. The supply of these amino acids also helps the body to produce collagen efficiently. The combination of these components provides the body with exactly the nutrients it needs to maximize collagen production.

Other substances or treatments are not necessary as this combination covers all the crucial factors required for collagen production and absorption. In particular, the liposomal form ensures that the collagen is well absorbed into the body, and the simultaneous provision of vitamin C and amino acids optimizes the conditions for effective use of the collagen. This makes additional preparations or more complex treatment approaches superfluous.