Episode 78 - Collagen

Happy Mother’s Day 

Collagen

What happens to collagen as I age?

As we age, the body produces less collagen, and existing collagen breaks down faster. The collagen is also of lower quality than when we were younger. Women experience a significant reduction in collagen production after menopause. It’s normal for everyone to experience a decline in collagen production after age 60.

How do I tell if my body’s collagen level is decreasing? 

Collagen can’t be measured — for instance, in a blood test — but there are signs that your collagen level is decreasing. These signs and symptoms include:

• Skin that’s wrinkled, crepey or sagging.
• Hallowing in and around your eyes and face.
• Shrinking, weakening muscles and muscle aches.
• Stiffer, less flexible tendons and ligaments.
• Joint pain or osteoarthritis due to worn cartilage.
• Loss of mobility due to joint damage or stiffness.
• Gastrointestinal problems due to thinning of the lining of your digestive tract.
• Problems with blood flow.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It accounts for about 30% of your body’s total protein. Collagen is the primary building block of your body’s skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, and other connective tissues (which literally is what holds the body together). It’s also found in your organs, blood vessels, and intestinal lining.

Proteins are made from amino acids (there are roughly 500 amino acids that have been identified in nature, but just 20 amino acids make up the proteins found in the human body).

The main amino acids that make collagen are proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids group together to form protein fibrils in a triple helix structure (which are three intertwined polypeptide chains). Your body also needs the proper amount of vitamin C, zinc, copper, and manganese to make the triple helix.

What does collagen do?

Collagen’s main role is to provide structure, strength, and support throughout your body.

Collagen’s specific roles include:

• Helping fibroblasts form in your dermis (middle skin layer), which helps new cells grow.
• Playing a role in replacing dead skin cells.
• Providing a protective covering for organs.
• Giving structure, strength and elasticity to your skin.
• Helping your blood to clot.

Are there different types of collagen?

Some 28 types of collagen have been identified. They differ by how the molecules are assembled, the added cell components, and where the collagen is used in your body. All collagen fibrils have at least one triple helix structure.

The five main types of collagen and what they do are:

• Type I. This type makes up 90% of your body’s collagen. Type I is densely packed and used to structure our skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.
• Type II. This type is found in elastic cartilage, which provides joint support.
• Type III. This type is found in muscles, arteries and organs.
• Type IV. This type is found in the layers of our skin.
• Type V. This type is found in the cornea of your eyes, some layers of skin, hair, and tissue of the placenta.

What happens to collagen as I age?

As we age, the body produces less collagen, and existing collagen breaks down faster. The collagen is also of lower quality than when we were younger. Women experience a significant reduction in collagen production after menopause. It’s normal for everyone to experience a decline in collagen production after age 60.

How do I tell if my body’s collagen level is decreasing? 

Collagen can’t be measured — for instance, in a blood test — but there are signs that your collagen level is decreasing. These signs and symptoms include:

• Skin that’s wrinkled, crepey or sagging.
• Hallowing in and around your eyes and face.
• Shrinking, weakening muscles a