Roles of collagen in the human body
Collagen is to the tissues in the human body, what steel rods are to reinforced concrete. If the steel rods of the frame are weak, all the structure weakens.
More than twenty kinds of collagen are found in the tissues of the body. Depending on the different types of collagen contained in our body, we will find a variation in the sequences of amino acids. Let us examine collagen types I to V, which represent 99% of all the collagen found in our body.Collagen in the Body
Type I : Bones, tendons, ligaments and skin Type II : Cartilages and structure of the eyes Type III : Liver, lungs and arteries Type IV : Kidneys and several internal organs Type V : Surface of cells, hair and placenta Collagen is produced by specialized cells called fibroblasts and is gathered in the conjunctive tissues. The biological role of collagen has a double function. On one hand, together with elastin and glycoproteins, it is responsible for the cohesion of tissues and organs. On the other hand, collagen gives these tissues and organs hydration, resistance, elasticity and flexibility properties. With respect to conjunctive tissues, they form a weft rich in collagen, which is found practically in every part of our body. They mainly serve as support, filler, joint, insulation, protection or transport in the case of the blood system. Without this conjunctive tissue matrix rich in collagen that acts as “a sort of glue that keeps our body together,” we would be a puddle. As previously mentioned, aging and lifestyle directly affects several metabolic processes such as our body’s ability to synthesize new proteins, including collagen.
According to the Nutrition and Food Science Centre of the University of McGill, our body has to completely compensate with food, the essential amino acids, when it is unable to synthesize new proteins. It is also mentioned that if our body is under stress, due to injuries or degenerative problems related to aging, it needs even more amino acids than it normally does.The effects of aging, including a decrease in the synthesis of collagen proteins, appears at a very young age. Recent studies show that this decrease starts at age 30 at an average of 1% per year. This phenomenon creates, in all our tissues and organs, a reduction of functions and a loss of resistance, elasticity and flexibility. It generates, in short or medium term, a series of reactions that for most of us emerge as follows:
- Fine wrinkles and wrinkles
- Joint and muscular stiffness
- Lack of tonus
- Muscle soreness
- Slower healing of wounds
- More frequent fatigue
