Collagen is a key nutrient for maintaining skin, accounting for a quarter of the body's total protein content. It is essential for both the skin and the body. However, as collagen is rapidly lost with age, proper supplementation is crucial to maintaining healthy skin.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a polymer that forms the extracellular space between various cells and is primarily found in connective tissue. It is the most abundant protein in animals, accounting for approximately 25%-35% of human protein. Collagen is found throughout the body in various tissues and organs, including bones, cartilage, ligaments, skin, and fascia. Collagen acts as the adhesive that binds connective tissue, providing a stable and strong support structure.
Types of collagen:
There are many types of collagen, the most common being types I, II, and III.
Type I collagen
This is the most common type of collagen, found in almost all connective tissues, including bones, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and corneas. This type of collagen can be taken from natural foods and nutritional supplements to maintain and grow muscle, manage weight, and maintain skin.
Type II collagen
Mainly found in cartilage, intervertebral discs and eyes, 95% of the collagen in cartilage is type II collagen. This type of collagen can also be obtained from natural foods and nutritional supplements to maintain joint health.
Type III collagen
It is commonly found in elastic tissues such as the skin, lungs, liver, intestines, and blood vessels, and coexists with type 1 collagen. This type of collagen is often supplemented with type 1 collagen to maintain muscle and skin health.
Type V collagen
Small amounts of type V collagen can be found in hair, gum tissue, small intestine, lymphatic tissue, bone, and muscle. This type of collagen aids the function of types I and III collagen and often co-occurs with type III collagen. It is also commonly found in the placenta. This type of collagen is difficult to obtain, primarily found in eggshell membranes and multi-collagen supplements.
Type X collagen
Found in healthy bone tissue, especially around joints. This type of collagen is not easily obtained from natural foods, and it is also difficult to find single-sided health foods of this type of collagen, but it can be found in compound collagen nutritional supplements.
Causes of collagen loss:
Age
Studies have found that for people over 40, the amount of collagen in the dermis decreases by 1% each year. Skin that loses collagen loses its elasticity and develops wrinkles.
Excessive sun exposure
UVA in ultraviolet rays can destroy collagen in the dermis, reduce collagen in the skin, and affect collagen synthesis.
Excessive sugar intake
Glucose affects the synthesis of collagen, causing collagen fibers to link and form advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
smoking habits
Studies have shown that smoking affects collagen synthesis and increases the risk of arthritis.
Lack of sleep/excessive stress
Lack of sleep and excessive stress can cause the body to produce free radicals, which damage the skin's collagen and accelerate skin aging.
Functions of collagen:
Protects skin and helps it stretch elastically
Skin is the largest tissue in the human body and is also the tissue richest in collagen. Collagen provides the skin with adequate stretchability, ensuring sufficient elasticity and resilience to protect the body during limb and body movements.
Strengthen bones and reduce calcium loss
Bones contain collagen, which makes them strong yet flexible and resistant to breakage. Collagen helps calcium in the bones bind to bone cells, improving bone density and preventing calcium loss, thus promoting bone health.
Activate joints and repair new growth
Tendons, which connect bones to muscles, are primarily composed of collagen. Cartilage between bones also contains collagen. Collagen helps repair and regenerate cartilage, reducing wear and tear on joint cartilage during activity and lowering the risk of degenerative arthritis.
Anti-wrinkle and firming for younger-looking skin
Collagen helps the skin retain moisture and maintain hydration. When the skin contains sufficient collagen, it strengthens the reticular fibers in the dermis, maintaining skin elasticity. It also repairs and supports collapsed tissue, while also providing anti-wrinkle and fine-line benefits.
Types of collagen:
natural foods
Collagen-rich foods are mostly found in animals, such as pig's trotters, pigskin, cow's trotters, chicken feet, chicken wings, chicken skin, fish maw, shark fins, and cartilage. Fish collagen is the best choice, as its structure is closest to that of human collagen and is most easily recognized and absorbed by the body. However, these collagen-rich foods are often high in calories and fat, making them unsuitable for large or frequent consumption.
Oral nutritional supplements
There are numerous collagen supplements available, primarily in the form of collagen drinks, powders, pills, or gels. While pills are easier to carry and consume, they typically contain less collagen than the same weight of powder. While powders can be mixed with various foods for a more diverse taste, they are more cumbersome to consume and difficult for the body to absorb. Liquid and gel-based collagen products are more easily absorbed by the body.
When is collagen absorption highest?
Since the human body's absorption capacity is strongest when the stomach is empty, the absorption capacity of collagen taken at this time is the highest. It is recommended to consume it in the morning when you wake up or before three meals.
The above are the types of collagen and their importance. The most effective way to supplement collagen is to eat foods containing collagen.
Fumeijian's peptides contain two key peptides: Japanese collagen peptides and Japanese bonito elastin peptides. These peptides replenish the body's lost collagen and elastin. Once absorbed, these peptides are transformed into types I, II, and III collagen, contributing to the maintenance of healthy skin, cartilage, muscle, and organ cells.
Furthermore, the collagen peptides in Jianmei Peptide are processed small molecules that can help reduce the burden of digestion and provide the necessary nutrients directly and quickly. Regarding sugar, stevia is used instead of glucose to avoid the impact of excessive sugar intake on collagen synthesis, making it suitable for those who are concerned about blood sugar.
Furthermore, the ingredients in this peptide-building product contain a significant amount of vitamin C, including natural Norwegian blueberry extract and natural Tahitian noni fruit extract. Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis, giving you a double-edged nutritional boost, providing comprehensive collagen replenishment!
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