Photo credit: Nutritional Medicine Reviews
Collagen is a protein that makes up most of the connective tissues in the human body. There are 28 unique types of collagen present in the body that are divided into 3 main categories:
-Type I: Bones, skin, teeth, ligaments, tendons, and organs
-Type II: Cartilage
-Type III: Skin, muscle, blood vessels
As we age, our body produces less collagen. This leads to less elasticity of the skin and tissues, joint inflammation, and loss of bone and muscle mass.
Because oral collagen supplements are absorbed by the blood and tissues, they have the potential to affect the body from within. The photo above shows conditions that may benefit from collagen supplementation.
Collagen used in supplements comes from humans, animals (bovine, porcine) or fish (marine). It may also be found in food sources such as bone broth or pig skin. Plant-based or vegan collagen products are also available and they contain substances (e.g. aloe vera) that focus on boosting the bodies production of collagen. Different forms of collagen will have different effects on the body.
General effects of collagen supplementation in the body include:
-Anti-inflammatory
-Antioxidant
-Structural remodeling
-Lipid-lowering (marine-based collagen)
Conditions that have shown the most benefit from collagen supplementation include:
-Osteoarthritis
-Wound healing
-Skin aging
-Post-exercise body composition and strength
Collagen is generally safe to use and has minimal side effects, but should not be used by pregnant or breast-feeding women because it has not been studied in this population. Animal collagen has the potential to transmit disease (e.g bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and people with a seafood allergy should avoid taking marine collagen.
Although taking a collagen supplement may be helpful, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure you are on the best medical regimen for your condition.
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board