Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, found in the bones, muscles, skin, & tendons.
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It is the substance that holds the body together. Collagen forms a scaffold lớn provide strength and structure.
Endogenous collagen is natural collagen, synthesized by the body. Exogenous collagen is synthetic. It comes from an outside source, such as supplements.
Endogenous collagen has a number of important functions. Breakdown và depletion is linked to a number of health problems.
Exogenous collagen is used for medical và cosmetic purposes, including the repair of toàn thân tissues.
Collagen is a hard, insoluble, và fibrous protein that makes up one-third of the protein in the human body.
In most collagens, the molecules are packed together to size long, thin fibrils.
These act as supporting structures and anchor cells khổng lồ each other. They give the skin strength & elasticity.
There are at least 16 different types of collagen, but 80 khổng lồ 90 percent of them belong to lớn types 1, 2, & 3. These different types have different structures & functions.
The collagens in the human toàn thân are strong & flexible.
Type 1 collagen fibrils are particularly capable of being stretched. Gram-for-gram, they are stronger than steel.
Roles: What does collagen do?
Collagen is secreted by various cells, but mainly by connective tissue cells.
It is found in the extracellular matrix. This is an intricate network of macromolecules that determines the physical properties of body toàn thân tissues. A macromolecule is a molecule containing a large number of atoms.
Share on PinterestWith age, collagen weakens, leading to wrinkles and cartilage problems.
In the dermis, or the middle layer of skin, collagen helps khung a fibrous network of cells called fibroblasts, upon which new cells can grow. It also plays a role in replacing and restoring dead skin cells.
Some collagens act as protective coverings for delicate organs in the body, such as the kidneys.
With age, the toàn thân produces less collagen. The structural integrity of the skin declines. Wrinkles form, and joint cartilage weakens.
Women experience a dramatic reduction in collagen synthesis after menopause.
By the age of 60 years, a considerable decline in collagen production is normal.
Uses: Medical và cosmetic
Collagen is resorbable. This means it can be broken down, converted, and absorbed back into the body. It can also be formed into compacted solids or lattice-like gels.
Its diverse range of functions and the fact that it is naturally occurring make it clinically versatile & suitable for various medical purposes.
Collagen for medical use can originate from humans, cows, pigs, or sheep.
Skin fillers
Collagen injections can improve the contours of the skin and fill out depressions.
Fillers that contain collagen can be used cosmetically khổng lồ remove lines & wrinkles from the face. It can also improve scars, as long as these vị not have a sharp edge.
These fillers are sourced from humans & cows. Skin tests should be done before using collagen from cows, lớn avoid aggravating any allergies.
Collagen can fill relatively superficial volumes. More extensive gaps are usually filled with substances such as fat, silicone, or implants.
Wound dressing
Collagen can help heal wounds by attracting new skin cells lớn the wound site. It promotes healing and provides a platform for new tissue growth.
Collagen dressings can help heal:
chronic wounds that vì chưng not respond to lớn other treatmentwounds that expel bodily fluids such as urine or sweatgranulating wounds, on which different tissue growsnecrotic or rotting woundspartial và full-thickness woundssecond-degree burnssites of skin donation and skin graftsCollagen dressings are not recommended for third-degree burns, wounds covered in dry eschar, or for patients who may be sensitive to lớn products sourced from cows.
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Guided tissue regeneration
Collagen-based membranes have been used in periodontal & implant therapy to lớn promote the growth of specific types of cell.
In oral surgery, collagen barriers can prevent fast-growing cells around the gum from migrating to lớn a wound in a tooth. This preserves a space where tooth cells have the chance to lớn regenerate.
Collagen-based membranes can aid healing in these cases & they are resorbable, so this barrier does not need to be surgically removed after the main operation.
Vascular prosthetics
Collagen tissue grafts from donors have been used in peripheral nerve regeneration, in vascular prostheses, và in arterial reconstruction.
While collagen prostheses are compatible with the human body, some have been found to lớn be thrombogenic, or likely khổng lồ cause coagulation of the blood.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
Collagen supplements or formulations may help treat osteoarthritis.
A 2006 nhận xét found that supplements containing collagen helped decrease painful symptoms và improving joint function in people with osteoarthritis.
As the supplement was absorbed, collagen accumulated in the cartilage, and this helped to lớn rebuild the extracellular matrix.
Not all studies have supported these findings, however.
Skin revitalization
Share on PinterestCollagen creams are unlikely to lớn work, as collagen molecules are too large to pass through the skin.
Many products containing collagen, including creams & powders, claim to lớn revitalize the skin by increasing collagen levels within the body.
This is unlikely, however, as collagen molecules are too large lớn be absorbed through the skin.
Any benefit is probably due khổng lồ the moisturizing effects of these products. They vày not directly increase collagen.
Such treatments are also not classified as drugs, so any claims regarding their efficacy bởi vì not need khổng lồ be scientifically proven. Caution is advised when using these products.
Laser therapy can help treat stretch marks, as it can stimulate the growth of collagen, elastin, and melanin.
A healthful diet can help the toàn thân produce collagen.
Nutrients that may tư vấn collagen formation include:
Copper: In shellfish, nuts, red meat, and some drinking water.What damages collagen?
Some factors can deplete the levels of collagen within the body. Avoiding them could keep the skin healthy for longer.
High sugar consumption: A high-sugar diet increases the rate of glycation, a process where blood sugars attach to lớn proteins to form new molecules called advanced glycation kết thúc products (AGEs).
AGEs damage nearby proteins và can make collagen dry, brittle, and weak.
Smoking: Many chemicals present in tobacco smoke damage both collagen & elastin in the skin.
Nicotine also narrows the blood vessels in the outer layers of the skin. This compromises skin health by reducing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to lớn the skin.
Sunlight: Ultraviolet rays in sunlight cause collagen khổng lồ break down more rapidly, damaging collagen fibers and causing abnormal elastin to lớn build up.
The UV rays in sunlight damage the collagen in the dermis, và the skin rebuilds incorrectly, forming wrinkles.
Autoimmune disorders: Some autoimmune disorders cause antibodies khổng lồ target collagen.
Genetic changes can affect the extracellular matrix. The collagen that is produced can be lower, or it may be dysfunctional, mutated collagen.
The aging process causes collagen levels to lớn deplete naturally over time. There is no way to prevent this.
Avoiding tobacco & excess sun exposure & following a healthful dietary and exercise regime can help reduce visible aging & protect collagen, keeping the skin, bones, muscles, & joints healthy for longer.
