What is Collagen and What is it Made Of?

Collagen is a protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage. It is composed of the amino acids glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine. These amino acids form three strands that create the triple helix structure that is characteristic of collagen. Collagen is made up of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

Collagen peptide supplements are typically derived from bovine or fish connective tissue, or marine collagen. In food, collagen is naturally found only in animal meat, such as meat and fish, which contain connective tissue. However, a variety of animal and plant foods contain materials for the production of collagen in our own body. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and represents one third of its protein composition.

It is the main component of the body's skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments and other connective tissues. Errors in collagen construction can result in conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and osteogenesis imperfecta. The intake of collagen peptides from foods or supplements cannot be directed to wherever they are used. However, many foods that provide the raw ingredients that support collagen production can be consumed as part of a healthy diet.

Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, dermatomyositis and scleroderma are autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue known to damage collagen. Kellyann delves into the health-beneficial properties of bone broth, which is a way to incorporate more collagen into your diet. In nature, collagen is found exclusively in animals, especially in mammalian meat and connective tissues. Geltor's vegan collagen peptide is identical to that of animal origin but can also be adapted to different functional properties such as different amino acid profiles. The human body produces its own collagen but production slows down with age which is why the skin sags and the joints begin to break down.

A hassle-free site that includes basic questions about collagen and whether the different types (drops, supplements) work for certain health conditions (floaters, joint pain, arthritis) can be helpful.