Collagen is protein and a natural food source; it forms the building blocks or structure to our millions of body cells. Its complex structure provides strength, support and flexibility to skin, organs, blood vessels, bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and subcutaneous tissues. It is also found in our cornea, backbones and teeth.

Our body is made up of 30% of collagen, about 75% of it is found in our skin and joints and most of it, about 90% is found in our bones, this shows that our body need collagen to remain functional and healthy and our bones need it to remain dense and strong.  

At the age of 25 our body stops producing collagen; as a result the body may go through premature aging and suffers its ill effects.  

Important Elements in Collagen

Major Contribution to the Heart’s Performance                           

 The four cardiac valves, the interventricular septum and the atrioventricular septums are made of specialized collagen, they are elastically attached to the heart muscles, its elastic nature is necessary for its rythmic contractions to happen in moving blood through the heart chambers and around the circulatory system. The heart need to deliver blood and nourishment to the billions of body cells, thus collagen is very necessary for the heart to be strong and to perform its functions efficiently.

Reconstructive Surgeries, Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration.                                                                                                                                                    

Collagen is a powerful wound healer and has properties for tissue regeneration and help normal skin to grow, repair tissues and help wounds to heal rapidly.

Its important uses in the medical field includes:

• In surgical procedures.
• Plastic surgeries  
• Cosmetic surgery. 
• Skin treatment. 
• Bone grafting and reconstruction of bones. 
• Management of severe burns and wounds. 
• Dental uses.

In bone grafting collagen is ideal as it has a triple helical structure making it a very strong molecule, the structure prevents it from being broken down by enzymes, and it enables proper attachments of the cells involved.

Collagen is a natural product and is widely used in wound dressing and has properties that artificial wound dressings do not have. It is resistant against bacteria, which is of vital importance in a wound dressing. It helps to keep the wound sterile, because of its natural ability to fight infection. When collagen is used as a burn dressing, healthy granulation tissue is able to form very quickly over the burn, helping it to heal rapidly. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.                                                

Omega 3 fatty acids are present in collagen, it is anti-inflammatory and can prevent

inflammatory conditions, and can help prevent collagen damage to the skin.

Calcium in its natural form is present in collagen, by taking collagen we are assured of calcium supply which is readily absorbed into the body system.

Menopausal women experience a dramatic reduction in collagen production which can cause dry and sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles to appear, loss of bone density, joint stiffness and lack of vitality. 

Pollution and ultraviolet radiation can generate free radicles in the body and can accelerate collagen breakdown and damage.

What are the health benefits of a collagen diet?

• Strengthen the immune system.
• Healthy heart and blood vessels.
• Increase antioxidant and detoxification.
• Improved skin tone and firmness.
• Restore collagen to the face.
• Improved sleep.
• Reduce stress.
• Help with feeling good.
• Build healthy muscles mass.
• Promote bone health.
• Restore sexual and hormone health.
• Reduce hair loss.
• Help with weight control.