{"id":1909,"date":"2022-01-17T19:04:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T19:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plixlife.com\/blog\/?p=1909"},"modified":"2023-03-10T06:24:21","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T06:24:21","slug":"how-and-why-collagen-is-essential-for-our-body-types-benefit-and-sources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plixlife.com\/blog\/how-and-why-collagen-is-essential-for-our-body-types-benefit-and-sources\/","title":{"rendered":"How and Why Collagen Is Essential for Our Body \u2013 Types, Benefit and Sources"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Our body is literally held together in place with the help of collagen<\/a><\/strong>. Collagen constitutes about 75% of the skin\u2019s dry mass content. It is the most abundant protein found in the human body, making up almost 30% of the total protein content.<\/span><\/p>\n

Collagen is needed to maintain the form and structure of our skin, cartilages and bones. It provides strength, elasticity and integrity to our body\u2019s connective tissues and keeps them in place.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Few Quick Facts on Collagen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Type I collagen, gram-for-gram, is stronger than steel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Collagen is also found in blood vessels, the cornea of your eye, teeth, discs between your vertebrae and the digestive tract.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • There are 1,050 amino acids in each of the three chains that make up collagen which are held together with hydrogen atoms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Collagen can be used in collagen dressings, to attract new skin cells to wound sites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • There are 16 different types of collagen. But 90% of them are mostly type I.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Collagen production declines with age and exposure to factors such as smoking and UV light.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Percentage Distribution of Collagen in the Body<\/span><\/h2>\n

Skin – 75%<\/span><\/h3>\n

Collagen can constitute up to 75% of the skin\u2019s dry mass content. It is a key component of the skin\u2019s structure, collagen provides the infrastructure for elastin, helping it maintain elasticity and assists hydraulic acid to trap moisture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tendons – 85%<\/span><\/h3>\n

Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bones. Its role is to withstand tension and transmit forces during muscle contraction. Tendons contain 85% of types I collagen and proteoglycans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joint Cartilage – 70%<\/span><\/h3>\n

Joint cartilage is made up of cellular building blocks called chondrocytes. These produce an extracellular matrix, consisting of collagen and proteoglycans, a kind of lubricant for the joints. Collagen fibers make up to 70% of cartilage and support its form and structure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bones \u2013 90%<\/span><\/h3>\n

Collagen provides the structural framework for calcium and other minerals to function. <\/span>The collagen consists of the softer part of your bones which is encased by the harder calcium mineral. <\/span>Collagen represents around 90% of the organic bone mass. It not only supports strong bones but helps them move more freely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Collagen<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are four main types of collagen<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 type I, II, III and IV.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a closer look at the four main types of collagen and their roles in your body:<\/span><\/p>\n