What is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant and essential protein in our body. It maintains the structural integrity of our skin, nails, hair, bones, joints, and tendons. Collagen holds the connective tissues together so that they may not fall apart. It won’t be wrong if we say that it acts as a glue that keeps our body tissues connected and united. 

Collagen not only contributes to keeping connective tissues together, but it also offers a lot of other benefits to our body. This article will focus on the most important benefits of collagen for different body organs and processes.

What are the Benefits of Collagen?

Following are the top five health benefits of collagen.

1. Helps Reduce the Signs of Premature Aging

The major constituent of our skin that maintains its elasticity, firmness, and overall structure is collagen. But as we age, collagen production starts declining in our body which results in loss of elasticity, and firmness of the skin. This reduced collagen causes premature aging of the skin. The signs of premature aging include fine lines which later on, get deeper and become wrinkles; saggy and bony skin.

2. Improves Bone and Joint Strength

Collagen has a great contribution to maintaining bone and joint strength, but how?

Our bones contain vital minerals such as calcium and phosphorus which maintains bone density. The third main ingredient is collagen which keeps the structural integrity of bones. 

As joints are the connecting points of bones, collagen makes this connection strong by holding them firmly in their place. In this way, collagen plays an important role in maintaining a healthy bone and joint structure.

3. Maintains Cardiovascular Health

Our heart is connected to thousands of blood vessels that carry blood to different body parts. Collagen maintains the elasticity of these blood vessels and promotes smooth blood flow to different body parts, hence maintaining cardiovascular health.  

4. Maintains Hair and Nails Health

Collagen is an essential protein for maintaining the structure of nails and the strength of hair. Our hair primarily consists of keratin protein, which is a complex molecule containing 18 amino acids. Collagen contains proline which is also a part of keratin protein. Collagen helps in the synthesis of keratin by providing the proline, a constituent of keratin, and may aid in healthy hair growth.

When our body becomes deficient in collagen, hair and nails show visible deficiency symptoms such as dryness and weakness.

5. Helps in Wound Healing

As collagen is a structural protein, it makes new body tissues that are lost due to injury. Our wounds are recovered by following the four stages such as hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Collagen plays a huge role in these stages by synthesizing new body tissues. The presence of a good amount of collagen in the body boosts the wound healing process.

How Can We Take Collagen in the Body?

We can take collagen in two ways; food sources and food supplements. 

1. Collagen Intake Through Food Sources 

Collagen is naturally produced in our body. The main ingredients for the synthesis of collagen are glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These are amino acids in nature which are the building blocks of proteins. So, we can get these amino acids from protein-rich foods such as fish, egg white, chicken, and bone broth.

Vitamin C also promotes collagen synthesis in the body. We need to take vitamin C-rich foods as well, such as citrus fruits, guava, strawberries, cabbage, and cauliflower to promote collagen synthesis in the body.

2. Collagen Intake Through Food Supplements  

The easiest way to get an adequate amount of collagen in the body is by consuming the best quality collagen supplements.  

Which are the Best Collagen Supplements Available in Pakistan?

Nutrifactor’s Gencell, Nutri Collagen, and Butex are the best collagen supplements available in Pakistan. 

Gencell is a combination of super Collagen type I & III along with Vitamin C and Biotin to support youthful skin, strong hair, and shiny nails. Gencell contains a rich amount of collagen, 1000 mg, to help reduce the signs of premature aging and maintain bone and joint health.

Nutri Collagen contains a healthy amount of collagen along with vitamin C which supports collagen production in the body. This supplement helps support skin rejuvenation, maintenance, and integrity. It also helps reduce hair fall & hair thinning issues, and also promotes strong nails, joints & bones.

Butex is a blend of 17 vital nutrients along with collagen, which supports beautiful hair, strong nails, and vibrant skin. This amazing supplement contains essential nutrients to provide natural beauty from within.

You can add any of these collagen supplements to your routine to enjoy every single benefit of collagen.

References:

•    https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/collagen-food-boost

•    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen

•    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen

•    https://www.webmd.com/diet/collagen-health-benefits

•    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881