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Bahasa Indonesia (EUR)What is collagen good for and when should you take it? Follow in the footsteps of this protein
- What is collagen?
- What is collagen good for?
- Collagen in the diet and dietary supplements
- When to take collagen – in the morning or in the evening? ☀️🌙
- Which collagen is best?
- How long should you take collagen?
- The quest for collagen comes to an end 🦁
- FAQ
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is estimated to account for up to 30% of all body proteins.
It is found primarily in connective tissues, such as bones and cartilage, to which it provides strength, elasticity and resilience 🦴.
Just as a beaver 🦫 needs strong material to build its dam, our body needs a solid foundation, which collagen helps to create.
Where is collagen found in the body?
In the human body, collagen is found primarily in:
- the skin 🙂
- bones 🦴
- cartilage 🦵
- tendons 💪
- connective tissue 🧬
- blood vessels 🩸
- teeth 🦷
Types of collagen in the human body
There isn’t just one type of collagen – scientists now recognise 28 different types. Five main types of collagen, designated by Roman numerals, predominate in the human body:
- Type I collagen – this is the most common type of collagen in the human body, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the total. It is found primarily in the skin, bones, tendons and blood vessels.
- Type II collagen – is found in cartilage,
- Type III collagen – is the main component of the fibres found in connective tissues,
- Type IV collagen – forms a supporting layer between epithelial and connective tissue,
- Type V collagen – is found on the surface of cells, in hair and in the placenta.
What is collagen good for?
Our body needs firm support, and it is collagen that contributes to the strength, flexibility and resilience of bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
Collagen in the diet and dietary supplements
The body naturally produces collagen itself, for which it also needs other nutrients, such as vitamin C, sufficient protein, copper and zinc
Other natural sources include, for example, bone broth or chicken skin 🐤.
People most often take collagen supplements when they want to add this natural structural protein to their diet. This is also because collagen production gradually decreases with age.
Collagen in supplement form can offer several benefits:
- Collagen for the skin – helps maintain the skin’s firmness and elasticity. This can help slow down the appearance of wrinkles and promote a healthier complexion.
- Collagen for joints, cartilage and tendons – it can support joint mobility.
- Collagen for hair and nails – may help to strengthen nails and hair.
- Collagen for bones – helps maintain bone strength.
When to take collagen – in the morning or in the evening? ☀️🌙
When taking collagen, consistency is more important than a specific time of day. So if you’re wondering when to drink collagen – in the morning or in the evening – or when to take it in capsule form, choose a time that suits you and that you can stick to in the long term.
Which collagen is best?
You’ll find many collagen supplements on the market, but there isn’t one that’s universally the best. The right choice depends on why you want to take collagen and which form suits you best.
Forms of collagen supplements
Collagen supplements are available in various forms, so you can choose the one that best fits into your daily routine.
For example, collagen powder is popular for its versatility and can easily be added to a drink or meal. Collagen capsules, on the other hand, do not require measuring out a dose and are practical when travelling, for example.
| Form of collagen supplement | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Collagen powder |
|
| Collagen capsules or tablets |
|
| Liquid collagen and collagen drinks |
|
What do collagen supplements contain?
When choosing a collagen supplement, don’t just go by its form – focus on the ingredients too.
As well as collagen itself, products may also contain other beneficial substances – for example:
- vitamin C,
- zinc and copper,
- hyaluronic acid,
- acerola,
- inulin (chicory fibre).
Collagen dosage
The recommended dosage of collagen may vary depending on the type of collagen, its form and the specific product.
Therefore, always follow the instructions on the packaging or the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How long should you take collagen?
A caterpillar doesn’t turn into a butterfly 🦋 in a single day – so don’t expect overnight changes with collagen either. For collagen supplementation to be effective, regularity and consistency over the long term are key.
Always follow the recommended method of use and dosage provided by the manufacturer of the specific product. If you have any health issues or are taking medication, consult your doctor before adding a collagen supplement to your routine.
The quest for collagen comes to an end 🦁
Collagen is a natural component of the skin, bones 🦴, cartilage, tendons and ligaments, and plays an important structural role in the body. Its production gradually decreases with age, which is why people often turn to various collagen supplements.
When choosing collagen, focus on the type, form, composition and dosage. There isn’t one single ‘best’ collagen – the right choice depends on what you expect from the product and what fits best into your daily routine.
Whether you choose collagen powder, capsules or liquid collagen, the most important thing is to take it regularly.
FAQ
1. How do I choose collagen?
When choosing collagen as a dietary supplement, focus on its type, form (powder, capsules or liquid collagen) and overall composition. Type I collagen is most commonly used for the skin, whilst type II collagen is used for cartilage and joints.
2. How can I tell if I’m lacking collagen?
The body’s natural production of collagen decreases with age. It is not possible to determine whether you have a collagen deficiency based solely on your appearance or how you feel. If you have any health concerns, consult your doctor.
3. How long can I take collagen?
The duration of use depends on the specific collagen supplement and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always follow the recommended dosage, or consult your doctor if necessary.
4. At what age should you start taking collagen?
The body’s natural production of collagen begins to decline gradually as early as young adulthood. However, this does not mean that it is necessary to start taking collagen supplements at this age.
The decision depends on your lifestyle, state of health and the reason why you want to take collagen. When choosing a product, always follow the ingredients list and the manufacturer’s recommendations, and if you have any health issues or are taking medication, consult your doctor as well.
5. What is hydrolysed collagen?
Hydrolysed collagen is collagen that has been broken down into smaller particles, known as collagen peptides, during a manufacturing process called hydrolysis.
Just as an elephant 🐘 can use its trunk to pick up even tiny objects, collagen peptides are ‘smaller pieces’ of the original collagen. This allows the collagen to dissolve easily, enabling the body to use it effectively as a building block for producing its own collagen.
Hydrolysed collagen is one of the most common forms of collagen found in supplements.
6. Hydrolysed vs. native collagen
In hydrolysed collagen, large molecules are broken down into smaller parts – collagen peptides – during production.
Native collagen, on the other hand, retains its original molecular structure and is less commonly found in dietary supplements.
7. Which collagen is best for the skin? ☺️
If you’re looking for collagen for your skin, focus primarily on products containing type I collagen, which is naturally found in the body, particularly in the skin, bones and tendons.
8. Which collagen is best for joints? 💪
For joints and cartilage, supplements containing type II collagen are most commonly chosen.
9. How can you tell if a collagen product is good?
If you decide to take a supplement, check the type of collagen, the active ingredient content, the ingredients list and the manufacturer’s information. The presence of vitamin C or hyaluronic acid can also be a benefit.
10. Why shouldn’t you take collagen?
Collagen supplements may not be suitable for everyone. If you’re allergic to any of the product’s ingredients, have any health issues or are taking any medication, consult your doctor before use.
11. When will the effects of collagen become apparent?
The effects of collagen taken as a supplement tend to vary from person to person and depend on a number of factors, such as lifestyle, diet or the type of supplement used.
They may become apparent after a few weeks, but could just as easily take several months of regular use.
Sources:
Photo: AI
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