There seems to be a little bit of a buzz in the natural health world the past few years about the use of collagen as an anti-aging compound both as a way of keeping our skin healthier by reducing wrinkles, and its use being linked to healthier joints, bones, hair, blood vessels, immune system, and organs.

Collagen, comes from the Greek word kola, meaning glue, and gen, meaning producing.  Derived from the processing of animals, collagen contains all 20 essential amino acids with noticeably high amounts of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. It is the most abundant protein in the body making up 70% of our skin, and 90% of our connective tissue and bones. Collagen acts like a type of scaffolding which nutrients attach to.  In the skin it would allow antioxidants such as vitamins A and C to bind to it so that it gives protection to potentially harmful UV-rays.  Its function is important in a vast array of circumstances including joint lubrication and regeneration of the lining of our intestinal tract. 

Types of Collagens:

Type 1: Is the most prevalent and is found in the skin, tendons, vascular system, organs, cornea, and bone. 

Type 2: Is in cartilage,

Type 3: Is in the reticular fibers in the spinal cord and most of the areas of type 1 and is helpful for muscle recovery.

*Type 4: Is in the basal lamina and basement membrane of the skin, bone matrix, and cornea. *Most sources don’t count this type.  Most collage products list the other five.

Type 5: Is in cell surfaces, hair, and placenta.  It is found to support type 2 collagen.

Type 10: A newer addition, found in eggshell membrane is involved in the process of endochondral ossification or “network-forming collagen”. 

Our bodies produce collagen naturally....