Collagen makes up about 30% of the whole-body protein content and it provides firmness, elasticity and flexibility as well as appropriate level of skin moisturising and continuous cell regeneration.
It takes part in bodily functions of almost all kinds of body systems, organs and tissues. As we grow older our body loses the ability of collagen synthesis. The factors that additionally contribute to collagen forming disorders are continual overexertion (physical activity, advance sport) and autoaggressive diseases (joint atrophy). Disorders connected with metabolism of collagen result not only in motor dysfunction (stiffness, periarticular pains) but also affect the organs and tissues in which collagen and its derivatives play a strategic role. Collagen deficiency leads to such body changes as wrinkles, discolouration, cellulite, dry skin, dull hair and nails. The most dangerous, though, are disorders of the immune system. In this case collagen plays a defensive role and it prevents pathogenic microorganisms such as toxins or cancer cells from getting into and spreading around the body. All these afflictions can be averted or delayed by supplementing collagen in the body.
The name “collagen” refers to a group of fibrous proteins naturally occurring in humans and animals.
A person weighing 75 kg consists of 15 kg of proteins among of which 7,5 kg is collagen itself.
The word “collagen” derives from Greek - colla stands for glue, genno stands for produce - and can be translated as “glue producer.” This expression clearly describes the function of collagen. It is the protein material bonding together cellular elements and organs, and at the same time enabling to produce tissue and organs from isolated cells. The collagen turnover in human body occurs throughout whole life. Bones contain the most enduring type of collagen, as its exchange takes place every year, while liver - the least enduring and the exchange there happens every month.
The material constituting collagen are aminoacids which are fibrous proteins, or to be more specific, fibrillar scleroproteins. Collagen consists of long, spiral-like peptide chains including 19 aminoacids. The most important of them are: proline, glycine, hydroxyproline and hydroxylisine, however the last two cannot be found in any other proteins.
Amino acids by contrast are made of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen elements which react with nitrogen atoms. When at least one hundred of amino acids combine they produce a polypeptide chain. This is the way proteins come into being. And this is the way collagen comes into existence.
In case of collagen the amino acids that constitute it make a spatial spiral which is called superhelix.
