What is collagen?
Collagen is a type of connective tissue that provides strength of the tissue. Collagen is a protein. Collagen is plentiful in the body – it makes up 25% of all the protein in the body.
Collagen makes up a large part of the extracellular matrix between cells, which gives cells structure from the outside. In addition to this, collagen is found inside some cells too. Collagen basically holds the body together – it is the building block of the body.
Collagen is a major constituent in the skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, teeth, cartilage and fascia.
Important collagen facts
- Collagen is responsible for skin elasticity and strength
- Collagen makes up about 75% of the skin
- Collagen deficits in the skin leads to wrinkles (a symptom of ageing)
- Collagen is a very strong connective tissue
- Collagen strengthens the walls of blood vessels
Why collagen is important
Collagen is so important for the body as it is such a large constituent (about 25%) of the protein in the body. It is part of almost every single tissue in the body.
Collagen is made up of many amino acids, the two most predominant are: glycine and proline and requires vitamin C to enable it to function effectively.
Collagen basically is the building block of the body, that which holds the body tissues together.
