What is collagen?
Collagen is a strong, flexible triple-helix protein that is often known as the glue or ‘scaffolding’ that holds the body together. (1)
Collagen is the most abundant protein the human body. (1)
Collagen is the most common substance in the body next to water. (1)
Collagen is broken down into amino acids when digested in the stomach. (3)
The amino acids that make collagen are glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. (3)
What does collagen do?
Collagen helps to strengthen capillaries, including those that provides nourishment to the retina, and prevents cataracts by guarding the lens against free radical damage. (4)
beneficial for wound healing (5)
What are types of collagen?
There are approximately 40 different types of collagen in the human body.
Type 1 Collagen
Type 2 collagen
type 3 collagen
type 4 collagen
What parts of the human body contain collagen?
skin (1)
hair
nails
cartilage, ligaments, and tendons
gut lining
arteries
bones
muscles
connective tissues (like the pelvic floor) (1)
Does collagen keep being produced by the body?
One age 20 is reached, new collagen production begins to slow down. (1)
During and after menopause, the body slows down makng new collagen at at even faster rate. (1)
Collagen production drops most quickly due to excess sun exposure, smoking, excess alcohol, and lack of sleep and exercise. (3)
Does collagen change with age?
With aging, collagen in the deep skin layers changes from a tightly organized network of fibers to an unorganized maze. (3)
What happens with a collagen deficiency?
Collagen deficits create wrinkles and fine lines, smaller muscles, ligaments and tendons become weaker and joints start aching. (1)
Lack of collagen can negatively affect the eye well-being. (1)
A lack of collagen can be the pre-cursor to the development of glaucoma. (1)
Researchers have observed that a decreased presence of collagen in the sclera was found in glaucoma patients. (1)
How is collagen produced?
Collagen is produced by the human body by breaking down protein into amino acids. (2)
Zinc is needed to produce collagen. (3)
Vitamin Ci is needed to produce collagen. (4)
What foods contain collagen?
There is a lack of research to show that eating collagen can directly benefit skin or joint health. (3)
dietary supplements
Foods rich in collagen come from animals. (2)
chicken (2)
skin-on fish
beef
venison
bone broth
chicken feet (2)
tough cuts of meat full of connective tissue like pot roast, brisket, and chuck steak (3)
Collagen is found in the bones and skin of fresh and saltwater fish. (3)
Resources
1. https://womanandwellness.com/is-collagen-good-for-eyesight/
2. https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-collagens
3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/
4. https://healthfully.com/nutrients-for-the-cornea-6581667.html
5. https://www.verywellfit.com/honey-nutrition-facts-and-calories-4164274
