The Health Benefits

Collagen is one of the most important proteins in your body. Many people think of collagen as the ultimate ingredient for skin care products, and this is true!

Collagen is often found in creams, powders, and even supplemental pills. Even more importantly, though, it is a part of every muscle, joint, ligament, skin, and blood cell in your body. But how are different types important, and which one should you be taking as a supplement?

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, so it is easy to understand why it is necessary for your health. It also happens to be the second most abundant molecule in your body after water.

Collagen is the building block for your skin, bones, and tendons and can be found in your hair, nails, joints, teeth, muscles, and even your eyelashes.

As the largest organ in your body, your skin relies on the presence of collagen. Your skin is made of 70% collagen proteins. Collagen also makes up 90% of your connective tissue and bone mass.

The long amino acid chains that form collagen help to build and connect the bones, skin, and connective tissues throughout your body. Without collagen, critical body parts would not be able to function.

As you get older, your natural collagen production begins to slow. After your twenties, you typically have to rely on dietary sources to keep your collagen levels up.