Collagen | fountain of youth

The word collagen alludes to healing and union. It is derived from the Greek words kolla (glue) and gennao (I produce). A "glue maker" is an apt representation of collagen, as this intercellular structural protein plays a critical role in holding the body together.

Collagen is the main protein of the skin and the most powerful protein in our system. It represents 60% of the total content of the skin and 30% of all the protein content of the body. Its greatest amounts are found in the skin, the skeletal system, the organs of sight, the kidneys, the liver, and the digestive tract. The extracellular matrix, known as the ECM, in which the body is submerged, contains collagen that flows around the organs, supplementing existing structural defects.

The main function of collagen is to give flexibility, tone and elasticity to the skin, as well as to hydrate and stimulate. It is found in the dermis layer, storing and releasing water to maintain the optimal level of texture and constant cell renewal, thus preventing the formation of wrinkles and stretch marks. Collagen is produced by fibroblasts, the cells of connective tissues. Collagen turnover occurs throughout the life of a human organism. Its renewal cycle is every 140-160 days: the spent collagen is degraded and the shortage is replaced

More than 20 types of collagen are found naturally in the human body. Type I collagen is the most abundant collagen in the human body and is known to maintain the integrity of the dermis and ECM. It is true that skin aging is related to the reduction of type I collagen. The synthesis of this type of collagen in the skin takes place not only in fibroblasts, but also in the keratinocyte layer of the epidermis.

From the age of 25, the natural supplies of collagen weaken and become less productive. The body begins to lose its ability to create new collagen, losing collagen at a rate of 1.5% per year. Free radicals and toxins destroy collagen fibers and reduced levels of copper, vitamin A, C or E in the body negatively affect natural collagen production. A lack of new collagen leads to a host of symptoms associated with aging: sagging, fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, discoloration, and uneven skin tone.