Collagen - is it just skin deep?

Collagen. As most would have known collagen to be a molecule which helps us have beautiful skin, is that its only function in our body? Let's learn a little more about it.

Collagen is a type of protein that is found in our human body. Proteins are macro-chains of many amino acids. 

Collagen makes up about 30% of all the proteins in our human body. It has many uses and can be found in various parts of our body, not necessarily our skin alone. When there is a lack of collagen, many issues could arise in our body.

Thinning hair, glaucoma and cataracts in the eyes, sagging skin or sagging internal organs, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis. These issues people face have been long attributed to aging. However, the reason for the occurrence is due to a lack of collagen.

Collagen production peaks in our body at age 25. Subsequently, it will continue to decrease as we age. However, due to our modern lifestyle, many of us are aging faster than we should, resulting in a faster deterioration of the amount of collagen we produce.

What are the available sources of collagen?

There are two main categories of collagen in the market: (1) those to be applied on the skin, and (2) those to be taken in the form of a supplement. Which is better? Let's evaluate together.

Applying collagen on our skin...

When we apply collagen creams onto our skin, we are hoping the collagen can be absorbed into our skin, isn't it? 

Well, in the actual world of science, it doesn't happen, because the collagen molecule is just too big. Based on the 500 Dalton Rule, the molecular weight of any substance need to be below 500 Dalton to be able to penetrate our skin. 

Typical collagen molecules are easily more that one thousand Daltons per molecule. So what happens when we apply collagen to our skin surface, is that the collagen sits and forms a layer over it. As soon the next wash, it will be gone, without any lasting effects.

Consuming collagen... 

How about when we eat collagen? For the answer to this question, we first need to think about our digestive system.

Digestion begins in our mouth with enzymes from our saliva starting to break down foods. As food continues its journey, it will reach our stomach, which has an acid at pH level 1.5 to 3.5.

At this low pH level, collagen will not be able to avoid being digested into amino acids and absorbed in our small intestines. 

It is good that it can be easily absorbed. However, the collagen is no longer in its original form. Also, amino acids can be obtained from any protein, it need not have to be from collagen!


Analysing further, as a human organism, aren't we more complex compared to fish, pig, shark or other animal from which we seek to replace our collagen by consuming?

Our body can produce 16 or more types of collagen for various functions in our body. When we consume external collagen, are there sufficient different types of collagen?

Furthermore, our body needs may change time to time. How will we know if the mix of collagen types in a product is suitable for our need at the current moment?


Both application or consumption of collagen is not effective. 

A better solution is....

Our human body can produce its own collagen. You can trust that it will provide the required types in the required quantity as and when it is needed!! This is our amazing body which is wonderfully created. 

As long as we keep our body from premature aging, it can carry out many of such wonderful functions! All we need is a diet of wholesome plant superfoods which are high in antioxidants and phytochemicals to keep our body young.  

What are some of these superfoods? Find out more in my next post.

Cheers!
Janice

+65 84998618 

Janice@ImmuneSuperFood.com

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