When it comes to health and beauty, collagen is often hailed as a miracle ingredient. But what exactly is it? This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about collagen – what it is, where it comes from, and how it can benefit your health and appearance.
What is collagen? Collagen is a protein that is found naturally in the human body. In fact, it’s the most abundant protein in our bodies, making up about 70-80% of our skin’s dry weight. It is responsible for giving our skin its strength and elasticity. As we age and as our skin microbiomes change, our bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin.
There are many different types of collagen, but the most common are Type I and Type II. Type I collagen is the most abundant and is found in the skin, tendons, and ligaments. Type II collagen is found in cartilage and provides its elasticity.
Where do we get collagen? Our bodies make collagen naturally, of course. However, collagen supplementation is mostly derived from animal sources, such as cows, pigs, and fish. When we consume, inject, or apply (topically) collagen-rich sources, we are actually hoping to absorb collagen that has been broken down into smaller peptides (amino acids). If absorbed successfully, our bodies can then use these peptides to create our own collagen.
Collagen has a variety of benefits, both for our health and appearance. Here are some of the most notable reasons why you might want more collagen in your life:
- Skin health and better aging: As we age and our skin microbiomes change (interesting fact: certain bacteria can cause accelerated aging), our skin produces less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin. Collagen supplements or collagen boosting topicals can help increase the body’s production of collagen, resulting in smoother, firmer skin. In fact, one study showed that participants who took a collagen supplement for eight weeks had significantly increased skin hydration.
- Gut health and balance: Collagen is a key component of the gut lining, which helps protect against harmful bacteria and toxins. A healthy gut is essential for overall health, so collagen supplements can be beneficial for those with digestive issues.
- Improved Muscle mass: Collagen is a major component of muscle tissue, so it’s no surprise that it plays a role in muscle growth. Supplementing with collagen can help increase muscle mass and strength.
We hope this guide has helped you better understand collagen and its benefits. At Parallel Health we are working hard to bring you microbial-based products that support your specific skin microbiome type and support healthy collagen levels in the skin. Sign up for our waitlist today to get early access and experience the benefits of our skin microbiome test and personalized skincare.
About Parallel
A parallel world lives amongst us: the microbial world. This world impacts not only our lifespan, but also our healthspan.
Our mission is to empower people with real science to make meaningful skincare decisions to improve their healthspan, mental well-being, and self-confidence.
Parallel is a next-generation skin health company providing effective, personalized skincare and testing, powered by genomics, skin microbiome science, and machine learning.
