The word 'collagen’ comes from the Greek word ‘kòlla’ and the French suffix ‘-gene’ that means 'glue-producing'. Collagen is one of the most abundant structural proteins that make up the structure of your cells & tissues. Collagen forms your skin, bones, muscles, joints, intestinal barrier & binds together everything. Your body needs an optimal amount of collagen for maintaining younger-looking skin, stronger bones & pain-free joints. There are about 28 types of collagen, however type I accounts for 90% of the total collagen in humans.
As per Dt. Sanchita Pathak, Sr. Consultant Dietician at Himalayan Organics, collagen is made up of amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids form 3 strands, which make up the triple-helix structure characteristic of collagen. As you age, the collagen production in your body starts declining naturally. Hence, when the cohesiveness decreases, you see the visible signs of ageing such as dry, sagging skin, wrinkles, etc. It may often lead to reduction in bone strength as well. Basically there are three major types of collagen in your body.
Type I Collagen
Type I collagen is the strongest & most abundant protein found in humans (and in all vertebrates) that supports your skin health. However, it naturally decreases as you age.
Also Read: 5 Benefits Of Taking Collagen Supplements
Type II Collagen
This supports joint health by lubricating bones & joints and making them less prone to stiffness. Optimal levels of Type II collagen don't cause painful, inflamed joints while helping maintain the daily range of motion.
Type III Collagen
Type III collagen is different from the others because of its singular alpha chain. Along with Type I & Type II, Type III collagen supports a healthy gut, muscles, blood vessels, and uterus.
You'll find abundant sources of animal-based collagen. However, they aren't as healthy as they seem to be. They often contain risk factors of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), a disease that affects the brain of cattle and humans.
- On the contrary, plant-based collagen helps in building collagen without any side effects.
- It protects the breakdown of collagen while helping the body boost its production naturally.
- You can enjoy cruelty-free plant-based collagen supplements with a multitude of benefits.
- Plant extracts such as acai berry, acerola cherry, sea buckthorn, etc. help produce pro-collagen molecules in the body.
- As you age, your body requires some kind of external collagen assistance to synthesise the amount of collagen required.
- Plant-powered ingredients also provide essential vitamins & minerals that are ultimately essential in producing & repairing collagen.
- Plant-based collagen supplements are an on-the-go choice that contains blends of natural extracts to boost collagen production in the most natural way.
Conclusion
By adding plant-based collagen to your diet, you can not only achieve your skincare goals but also promote health in many ways. The information mentioned in this article are expert views, but we recommend you consult your doctor before taking these supplements to rule out any health complications that you might be susceptible to.
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