Why should you take collagen?
Our body contains a huge amount of proteins - approximately 50,000. Each person has his own set of high-molecular substances, which determines his anatomical features and functionality. One of the most important proteins belonging to scleroproteins (fibrillar group) is collagen.
What is collagen?
All scleroproteins have a filamentous (elongated) highly regular structure. Collagen (meaning “glue” in Russian) is the main component of connective tissue, its prevalence in the body is 25-45%. The synthesis of this macroelement is extremely energy-intensive and occurs in the presence of oxygen.
Collagen's value as "glue" determines its function. Collagen fibers (fibrils) “keep” our body intact, preventing it from falling apart due to the ability to hold cells together and provide great tissue stretch. It is thanks to the scleroprotein that evolution created the animal skeleton.
The amount of glycoprotein is not constant; with age it decreases significantly, the production of the protein itself slows down, and the destruction of fibrils accelerates. It is because of this that signs of aging appear: the skin becomes thinner, elasticity is lost, wrinkles form, bones become brittle, joints lose mobility.
Collagen is part of not only bone tissue, tendons and cartilage, skin and teeth, nails and hair, but also the walls of blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries) and even the intestines.
Functions of collagen
Without protein, the functioning of the body would be impossible.
Skin health
Collagen is the “skeleton” of the dermis. It determines the elasticity of the fabric, the strength of the fibers, elasticity, and extensibility. If there is enough protein, then the dermis will be perfectly toned, with a smooth texture, well moisturized. Thanks to such valuable material, tissues independently regenerate when damaged: burns, various injuries, wounds, and scratches heal much faster.
Lack of protein makes the skin thin, “transparent,” dehydrated, dry, fading, painful, and “sagging.” A scientific experiment was conducted in which 2/3 of the participants received collagen hydrolyzate, 1/3 took a placebo. After 2 months of taking the products, the skin of women from the first group became significantly moisturized and became more elastic. However, no one had any adverse reactions.
Joints
Scleroprotein “glues” the joints together and prevents them from collapsing. Almost all older people are familiar with joint pain; it is associated with the loss of collagen and a decrease in its synthesis. This increases the risk of developing dangerous diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Scientists at the University of Illinois believe that consuming dietary supplements with collagen reduces these risks, as well as pain in the joints. They conducted a study in which one group of athletes received protein supplements and the other was given a placebo. After six months, athletes from the first group noticeably decreased pain in the joints at rest and during movement. You need to start taking medications with 8 grams per day.
Bone
Bones are strengthened by collagen, which protects them from destruction and the development of osteoporosis. This fact has been confirmed by numerous experiments and scientific studies, where participants taking collagen significantly improved the health of the skeletal system and the musculoskeletal system in general.
Muscles
Muscle tissue consists of 10% collagen, which determines their strength, elasticity and extensibility. During training, it stimulates the production of your own muscle proteins. The twelve-week experiment involved older men with insufficient muscle mass. Every day, 50% of participants received 15 grams of collagen every other day in combination with strength training. The second group trained, but received nothing. Men who took protein increased strength and muscle mass, much more than those who only trained.
Heart
Protein is a component of the arterial walls that carry blood to the organs from the heart. The development of atherosclerosis and destruction of arterial walls occurs due to, among other reasons, glycoprotein deficiency. This increases the risk of hemorrhage or cardiac ischemia, therefore, sufficient collagen production allows you to avoid or minimize the risks of these dangerous conditions.
Japanese doctors observed volunteers taking protein supplements. After six months of experiments, it turned out that in people taking such dietary supplements, the arterial wall became much more flexible and stronger, its stiffness decreased, and the level of “good” cholesterol increased by 6%. In connection with these results, scientists drew conclusions about the benefits of collagen as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis and ischemia.
Nails
Thanks to collagen, our nails are strong, do not break, and grow well and quickly. Accordingly, with a lack of macronutrients, nails peel off, become brittle and become dull. Research on this matter has been carried out using peptides, which are themselves proteins. Participants took 2.5 grams of peptides for a month.
The results are as follows:
The nail plate began to grow faster by 12%.
Fragility decreased by 42%.
In 80% of participants, shine increased, smoothness increased, and the structure of the plate improved.
If we talk about the benefits of collagen, in addition to its beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal system, skin, skeleton and muscles, it is believed that it reduces anxiety, improves mood, is involved in weight control, and normalizes intestinal function.
What types of collagen are there?
In nature, there are 28 types of collagen, differing in the set of amino acids and functionality. Experts prefer to distinguish 4 types:
The first is the most common, occurring in 90% of cases. Fibrill bundles are extremely strong and elastic. Type 1 proteins form and are part of the skin, dental and bone tissue, tendons, vascular walls, and connective tissue.
The second is that the fibers are loose. Such substances form cartilage. Serves for joint flexibility and strength.
Third – ranks 2nd in prevalence. Consists of thin fibers with good elongation. Found in muscle tissue, walls of large arteries, and internal organs. Most of type 3 is concentrated in the intestinal wall. With its deficiency, the likelihood of vascular rupture increases significantly.
The fourth - non-fibrillar protein is part of the basement membranes that separate the epidermis and connective tissue, as well as the lens of the eye. Does not contain collagen fibers.
Collagen supplements are generally safe, but some may contain potential allergens: dairy, eggs, seafood, soy. Therefore, if you are intolerant or hypersensitive to any component, you should not take dietary supplements. Also, an excess of protein is dangerous for the kidneys and liver, so in case of hepatic and renal pathologies, you need to carefully consider the choice and follow the instructions.
Why is collagen deficiency dangerous?
It would seem that it is just a lack of protein, but it underlies severe hereditary disorders, diseases associated with the musculoskeletal and ligamentous systems, fragility and fractures of bones, dislocations, rickets, and autoimmune processes. Most of these mutations are dominant.
Collagenosis (a progressive change in connective tissue) is a multifactorial condition. The main cause of collagen biosynthesis disorders is a gene mutation that changes the sequence of amino acids that produce protein. In this case, the enzymes involved in the production of collagen do not work correctly, as a result of which the protein molecule changes.
If, in case of acquired collagen deficiency, the enzyme imbalance is eliminated, then a complete recovery is possible.
How to get collagen?
Endogenous scleroprotein is synthesized in youth in sufficient quantities (in the absence of gene abnormalities). New fibril molecules promptly fill the destroyed areas of the fibers, which are hypersensitive.
Over time, the synthesis of proteins decreases, their number decreases, and they are destroyed faster. These destructive processes begin around the age of 20, and after 30 years, destruction prevails over production. Collagen synthesis is affected by tobacco smoking, alcohol, unfavorable ecology, exposure to radiation and stress factors, and sugar abuse.
Exogenous (coming from the outside) collagen can be obtained through nutrition, lifestyle, and dietary supplements. It is vital for vegans to take dietary supplements, since protein is only found in products of animal origin.
To obtain exogenous protein, you need to eat foods containing gelatin, these are fish and various seafood, meat and fish broths, meat itself, as well as egg whites. It is advisable to prefer wild fish, the collagen from which is absorbed easier and better, and its structure is close to human. Animal protein is more difficult to digest, but it is cheaper. Its absorption is promoted by ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and copper.
Vegetables and fruits lack protein, but they contain vitamins and beneficial amino acids necessary for the production of collagen. You need to eat cabbage and carrots, citrus fruits, strawberries and black currants, nuts, and lettuce.
Collagen is absorbed from dietary supplements many times better than from natural products, since in dietary supplements it is broken down, and from food it must break down into peptides and only then be absorbed. Another benefit of dietary supplements is that they stimulate the production of your own proteins, which is not observed when consuming food.
Peptide complex with collagen
Fish, easily digestible scleroprotein is contained in the peptide drug Revilab Peptide Collagen, which is offered by Peptidy Npcriz specifically to replenish collagen deficiency and to prevent pathological conditions associated with this problem.
The drug has a unique composition. It contains cartilage peptides that act directly on connective tissue and normalize the metabolism of its cells.
Fish protein is an excellent source of amino acids and exogenous collagen, which quickly replenishes the missing volume of endogenous macronutrients.
Collagen from giant squid has powerful chondroprotective properties. Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect.
Healing effects of Revilab Peptide Collagen:
Accelerates and enhances regeneration processes.
Helps to recover from damage to joints and bones.
Strengthens the vascular wall, thereby normalizing blood circulation.
Helps to recover faster after training and heavy loads.
Improves the health of hair and nails.
Reduces wrinkles and other manifestations of skin aging, increases its turgor and elasticity.
Reduces joint pain, increases range of motion, helps in post-traumatic and post-operative rehabilitation.
Reduces signs of aging and slows it down.
Participates in the synthesis of steroids.
Maintains capillary permeability.
Regulates various biochemical and immunological reactions.
Directly on the website in the review thread or online, you can get recommendations from a specialist on the use of Revilab Peptide Collagen for various pathological conditions and for the prevention of diseases of the joints, musculo-ligamentous apparatus, cartilage, bones and skin.
