TL;DR:
- Collagen Overview: A key structural protein making up 30% of body proteins, essential for skin, joints, bones, blood vessels, hair, and nails. Declines start at 25, with no production by age 60.
- Properties: Maintains skin elasticity, hydration, and firmness, aids hair, nails, and wound healing, supports bones, joints, immunity, and reduces inflammation. Used in medicine, cosmetics, and supplements.
- Deficiency Effects: Aging signs (wrinkles, dry skin), joint/bone pain, brittle hair/nails, slow healing, fatigue, increased risk of diseases (cardiovascular, insulin resistance).
- Causes of Decline: Smoking, alcohol, sun exposure, poor diet, stress, and aging.
- Replenishment:
- Diet: Eat foods rich in vitamins (C, E, A), protein, flavonoids; avoid sugar and fried foods.
- Supplements: Marine collagen preferred; often paired with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or biotin.
- Skin Care & Treatments: Sun protection, retinoids, minimally invasive treatments (collagen threads, PDO threads) to restore youthful skin.
In recent years, collagen has gained immense popularity, due to the effects attributed to it that positively influence the health of the entire body and appearance. Looking for natural ways to improve the condition of the skin, stop the aging process and support the health of joints and bones, we are increasingly willing to reach for supplements containing this valuable ingredient. What is collagen and what functions does it perform? Can it actually bring such great benefits to health and beauty? In today’s article we will try to find answers to these questions.
Collagen – let’s get to know it better
Collagen is a structural protein that is a key building block of tissues and cells present in animal organisms, including in humans. It is essential for maintaining the elasticity, strength and proper structure of skin, bones, joints, blood vessels, hair and nails. The proportion of collagen proteins to other proteins in the body is as high as 30%. Collagen has a heterogeneous, distinctive structure – it forms numerous higher-order structures, such as collagen fibers or network systems, which give tissues their specific strength and elasticity. The general composition of collagen includes amino acids, including glycine and proline. The basic structural unit of collagen is the so-called tropocollagen, consisting of three polypeptide chains intertwined to form a superhelix. It is a protein that is able to adapt to changing external factors, but unfortunately, already around the age of 25, its level in the body decreases, and we lose the natural ability to synthesize enough of it. Hence the growing trend to supplement collagen proteins using various supplements and cosmetics.
What properties does collagen have?
It is not without reason that collagen is said to be the “protein of youth“. It is responsible for our youthful appearance – it provides anatomical scaffolding for skin cells, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and other structures, giving them elasticity and the desired resilience. Thanks to the action of collagen, the skin maintains its firmness, and connective tissues retain their ability to stretch and contract. This protein is involved in cell renewal, providing the complexion with optimal hydration and tension, and delaying the aging process. Its presence improves the absorption of valuable nutrients and minerals. Thanks to its ability to bind water molecules, collagen prevents water from evaporating from the deep layers of the skin. Collagen is also important for maintaining the condition of hair and nails. It prevents their breakage, loss and premature balding. Adequate levels of this protein ensure that nails are resistant to mechanical damage and give a shine to the plate. As for health properties, collagen does not lack them either. It is a support for bones – it is part of the bone matrix, giving it the correct stiffness and mechanical strength. This makes bones more resistant to fractures. Collagen proteins, filling the intercellular spaces, give tissues elasticity, extremely important for smooth movement and functioning of the entire osteoarticular system. Collagen participates in the process of blood clotting, strengthens blood vessels and helps in wound healing. It supports the protective and repair processes of joint cartilage, influences the reduction of inflammation prevailing in the body. In addition, collagen proteins support the immune system, fighting against microorganisms entering the body. They also support the transport of therapeutic substances through the cell wall. Thanks to its amazing and diverse properties, collagen is increasingly used in orthopedic surgery, dental surgery, treatment of eye diseases, nanotechnology and biomedicine. It is also increasingly used in cosmetology and aesthetic medicine, as well as in dietary supplements.
When and why do collagen levels in the skin decline?
Looking at the beneficial effects of collagen on the entire body, we can conclude that health and youthful appearance should accompany us throughout life. Unfortunately, as we have already mentioned, as we age we lose the ability to synthesize enough collagen protein to compensate for its loss. Collagen levels gradually decrease from the age of 25, and around our 60th birthday, we no longer produce any collagen at all. Degradation of collagen fibers also occurs as a result of other factors, among others:
- cigarette smoking,
- abuse of alcohol and other stimulants,
- regular exposure of the skin to sunlight,
- excess stress,
- sleep deprivation,
- low-nutritional diet, low water intake,
- intense physical exertion.
Effects of collagen deficiency
As you might guess, the main symptoms of declining collagen protein levels will include increasingly visible signs of aging. Wrinkles, furrows, thinner skin, loss of hydration, a decrease in tension and firmness of the face or neck may indicate the need to include collagen-containing cosmetics in your skin care regimen. Deficiency of the youth protein can also manifest as permanent fatigue, joint and bone pain, prolonged wound healing, hair loss and brittleness, weak nails, difficulty concentrating or greater susceptibility to injury. A decrease in collagen levels will increase the risk of developing cardiovascular, intestinal and gastric diseases, as well as an increase in blood pressure. Since it is involved in regulating sugar metabolism, its deficiency will increase the likelihood of insulin resistance. lion’s wrinkle
Home ways to replenish collagen levels – diet.
Wanting to take care of the optimal amount of collagen fibers in the body and support their restoration, all you need to do to start is to implement a few habits into your daily diet:
- introduce into your menu products rich in vitamin C, E and A, which are not only natural antioxidants, but also inhibit the breakdown of collagen.
2 Since protein is an essential ingredient for collagen production, reach for products such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes and nuts. From time to time, eat homemade beef bone broth, meat jelly or offal, which are treasure troves of collagen.
3.The diet of youth should also be rich in flavonoids, present in fruits and vegetables such as grapes, broccoli, lettuce, chokeberries and red peppers.
4.Products containing added sugar should be excluded from the menu, because glucose, binding to collagen molecules, causes its destabilization and faster aging of the skin.
- foods are best boiled, baked or steamed – large amounts of refined fat used in frying increase the amount of oxidants and free radicals, and thus exemplify the degradation of collagen.
fall diet
Supplementing collagen levels with dietary supplements
If the process of changing our eating habits is already behind us, it is worth considering oral supplementation of collagen-containing preparations. These can be capsules, tablets, ampoules or powder to be mixed with water, in various flavors. Most often, such products contain collagen in the form of hydrolysate, that is, broken down into smaller, better absorbed molecules. When choosing collagen to drink or sip, it is worth noting the composition of the preparation – the content of collagen in the suggested serving, its origin and type. It is believed that this protein of marine origin is best absorbed. Drinking collagen – is it worth it? Effects and side effects Depending on individual needs, we can opt for supplements containing pure collagen or with auxiliary substances such as hyaluronic acid, copper or vitamin C, as well as vitamin complexes – coenzyme Q10, biotin and keratin, which further support the condition of hair, skin and nails. Recent recommendations suggest supplementing collagen permanently, even before the age of 25. This has no negative effects, and taking care of its optimal level earlier will have a positive impact on enjoying good health, youthful appearance and efficiency of cognitive functions. Regular collagen supplementation after just a few weeks can help reduce cellulite, reduce hair loss and brittleness, improve skin elasticity and hydration, and joint mobility.
Collagen for skin – how to stop the aging process?
An extremely important role in supporting the synthesis of collagen fibers is played by proper skin care. Beginning with the observance of comprehensive sun protection, to regular treatments in beauty parlors. When choosing cosmetics for daily use, it is worth reaching for those that, in addition to type I collagen, contain active ingredients, such as retinoids, hyaluronic acid or peptides, supporting the improvement of skin structure and reduction of signs of aging. In most cases – the more advanced the age and greater collagen loss, cosmetics alone will be insufficient to stop the aging process. Then, it’s worth reaching for minimally invasive aesthetic medicine treatments. The OT.CO Clinic offers its clients to take advantage of innovative fillers, created on the basis of atelocollagen and polycaprolactone microspheres. Their action helps reduce the visibility of wrinkles, model the contour of the face, increase the elasticity of the skin, and above all, enables the long-term maintenance of the effect of biostimulation, which stimulates the synthesis of collagen fibers. Both preparations are applied through subcutaneous injections of varying depth and intensity. The course of the procedure is decided each time by the doctor, after prior consultation with the patient. The entire process takes only a few tens of minutes and does not involve convalescence. Thanks to the high bioactivity of the administered collagen, it is possible to quickly achieve spectacular but natural skin rejuvenation effects. Thanks to the addition of polycaprolactone, the treatment allows to replenish volume within the wrinkles and model the oval of the face after just one session. PDO threads – collagen threads for face and body. We also offer other treatments designed to support the natural processes of collagen fiber production. We encourage you to contact us and sign up for an initial consultation with our specialists. Together we will take care of regaining your youthful appearance!
Conclusion
Collagen is vital for skin, joints, and overall health. It keeps us youthful and strong but decreases with age and lifestyle habits. Boosting collagen through diet, supplements, and targeted skincare can slow aging and improve well-being. Start early and stay consistent—small changes today mean healthier, younger-looking results tomorrow.
