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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Molecular Cell Biology: Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix
- Molecular Cell Biology: Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix
- PubMed: Smoking Affects Collagen Synthesis and Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Skin
- PubMed: Smoking Affects Collagen Synthesis and Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Skin
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What Are the Causes of Collagen Degradation?
Collagen is an helical protein found in connective tissue through out the body 2. At least 27 different types of collagen have been identified, with types I-IV being the most prominent in the human body. All serve the same purpose--to protect tissues from stretching. Collagen comprises approximately 25 percent of all the protein found in the body and supports and strengthens bones, teeth, tendons, skin and internal organs 2.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an essential role in supporting the stability of collagen molecules. Without vitamin C, collagen production gradually slows to a standstill--a condition known as scurvy. Symptoms of scurvy include loose teeth and easy bruising. Since the human body cannot generate vitamin C on its own, a diet rich in vitamin C is critical for maintaining collagen production. Sources of dietary vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, red peppers and many other fruits and vegetables.
- Vitamin C plays an essential role in supporting the stability of collagen molecules.
- Since the human body cannot generate vitamin C on its own, a diet rich in vitamin C is critical for maintaining collagen production.
Aging
Can Supplements Stimulate Collagen Growth?
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Unfortunately, the break down of proteins like collagen is an unavoidable part of the aging process. Loss of elasticity and strength results in sagging skin and wrinkles. However, collagen maintains its structural integrity for longer if it is protected from environmental threats like UV exposure.
UV Radiation
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes proteins like collagen and elastin--both responsible for the smooth flexibility of the skin--to break down resulting in wrinkles and crevices in the skin. Exposure to natural sunlight is healthy and important for maintaining vitamin D levels; however, wear sunscreen to protect the delicate matrix of proteins supporting the skin. Avoid tanning booths as they damage skin rapidly with intense UVA light, which penetrates the skin even more deeply than natural sunlight.
Smoking
The Structure & Function of Collagen
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Smoking accelerates the aging process considerably adding fine lines and wrinkles to an otherwise biologically young face. Researchers at the University of Oulu in Finland found that smoking negatively impacted the rate of collagen I and collagen III synthesis in the skin 4. Slower collagen synthesis means that the skin loses some of its tensile strength and begins to sag prematurely.
Related Articles
References
- Molecular Cell Biology: Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix
- Protein Data Bank: Collagen
- New World Encyclopedia: Collagen
- PubMed: Smoking Affects Collagen Synthesis and Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Skin
- Enigmatic insight into collagen - PubMed
- The collagen family - PubMed
- Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications - PubMed
- Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications - PubMed
- Vitamin C in dermatology - PubMed
- Beneficial effects of food supplements based on hydrolyzed collagen for skin care (Review) - PubMed
- Collagen supplementation for skin health: A mechanistic systematic review - PubMed
- A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study - PubMed
- Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications - PubMed
- Fish Collagen Surgical Compress Repairing Characteristics on Wound Healing Process In Vivo - PubMed
- The wound healing potential of collagen peptides derived from the jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum - PubMed
- Natural composite dressings based on collagen, gelatin and plant bioactive compounds for wound healing: A review - PubMed
- Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications - PubMed
- Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing - PubMed
- Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study - PubMed
- Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials - PubMed
- Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study - PubMed
- Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides - PubMed
- Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides - PubMed
- A calcium-collagen chelate dietary supplement attenuates bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized controlled trial - PubMed
- Effects of 12 Weeks of Hypertrophy Resistance Exercise Training Combined with Collagen Peptide Supplementation on the Skeletal Muscle Proteome in Recreationally Active Men - PubMed
- Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial - PubMed
- Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails - PubMed
- Lack of Collagen VI Promotes Wound-Induced Hair Growth - PubMed
- Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications - PubMed
- Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
- Type III collagen is crucial for collagen I fibrillogenesis and for normal cardiovascular development | PNAS
- Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration - PubMed
- Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications - PubMed
- Collagen and gelatin - PubMed
- Symptomatic and chondroprotective treatment with collagen derivatives in osteoarthritis: a systematic review - PubMed
- Functional and bioactive properties of collagen and gelatin from alternative sources: A review - ScienceDirect
- Hydrolyzed Collagen-Sources and Applications - PubMed
- Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance - PubMed
- A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study - PubMed
- Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis - PubMed
- Effect of the novel low molecular weight hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract, BioCell Collagen, on improving osteoarthritis-related symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial - PubMed
- A calcium-collagen chelate dietary supplement attenuates bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized controlled trial - PubMed
- Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study - PubMed
- Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial - PubMed
- Specific Collagen Peptides in Combination with Resistance Training Improve Body Composition and Regional Muscle Strength in Premenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial - PubMed
- Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers - PubMed
- Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial - PubMed
- Symptomatic and chondroprotective treatment with collagen derivatives in osteoarthritis: a systematic review - PubMed
Writer Bio
Carolyn Robbins began writing in 2006. Her work appears on various websites and covers various topics including neuroscience, physiology, nutrition and fitness. Robbins graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology and theology from Saint Vincent College.