Collagen is a plentiful fibrous protein found in the body of mammals. The human body has 25 types of naturally occurring collagen. The function of collagen is to connect and support body tissues such as skin, tendons, cartilage, muscles and bones. The presence of a collagen matrix, a vital component in the skin, gives the skin its elasticity and strength. Collagen acts as a moisturizer for the skin and increases its hydration.

The body produces lesser amino acids or the protein building blocks with the passage of time. Amino acids are vital when it comes to the production of collagen. When their production is lowered, the quality of collagen in your body gets affected. Collagen fibres lose their moisture and become rigid.

Collagen and The Human Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Studies have proved that the inner layer of the skin contains substantial amounts of collagen matrix. This breaks down at a rate of 1.5% each year, after you cross the age of 25. The breakdown of collagen happens due to the fragmentation of the collagen matrix, which is caused by enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases or MMPs.

When fragmentation occurs, it gets impossible for fibroblasts that produce and organize collagen to attach themselves to the existing collagen. This leads to their collapse. This is the reason why skin loses its elasticity, suppleness and becomes dull and lifeless with the passage of time. Fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet start making their appearance.

Collagen Renewal through Healthy Diet

A balanced diet with the right supplements can help you in your collagen renewal process. Animal meat is one of the chief sources of collagen. You can include chicken, meat and beef with bones and cartilages in your meal as proper supplements. Powdered gelatine and collagen capsules are other easily available sources of collagen that you can consume in the edible form, as supplements.

A comparatively new method of replacing collagen is by using capsules of hydrolyzed collagen. The method is widely used for hydrating the skin, so as to regain its elasticity and firmness. Ingesting collagen is also another useful method. But this has to be accompanied by vitamin C, which helps collagen synthesis in human tissues.

Researchers claim that the consumption of pineapple protects collagen and skin fibres. Pineapple is rich in enzymes that slow down the fragmentation process. Drinking plenty of water also slows down this degeneration process to a great deal.

Collagen Rejuvenation Treatments

With rejuvenation treatments, the production of fresh collagen is encouraged. Collagen creams for skin care are readily available in the market. Your skin gets a dramatic boost as it gets replenished. There is an improvement in skin tone, reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. It also hastens the process of restoring the skin’s elasticity.
With the progress of biotechnology, there are treatments that supplement wrinkled skin with collagen through injections. This process is said to eliminate the risk of auto immune reactions and allergy of the dermis to a great extent.

Collagen is also extracted from the person’s own skin fibroblasts. It is cultured in a laboratory and re-injected into the wrinkled areas, which then gets smoothed. This happens when the cells begin to produce collagen and fill the gaps.

Author Bio: Teisha Mahabir specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak. Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about healthy-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out on LinkedIn.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: collagen,the,human,body,skin,healthy,diet