Collagen!

Collagen is a PROTEIN!
Proteins are made of long chains of AMINO ACIDS.

You've probably heard of a COLLAGEN in a cosmetic sense (plastic surgery - lips etc).

Hopefully, after reading this you'll know a lot more about COLLAGEN.

Collagen is found in all animals. It is multifunctional and can be found in various parts of the body. It is the most abundant protein in your body. The most occurring types of COLLAGEN are labelled I - IV. These four types of COLLAGEN are found in over 90% of the body in tissues including skin,bones, tendons and ligaments.

Collagen makes up 30% of your bones. Type I collagen found in the bones combines with HYDROXAPITITE to give strength and resistance to the bones.

Skin: the DERMIS layer of the skin is the thickest part and comprises of the PAPILLARY and RETICULATE dermis. The papillary dermis consists of fine fibres of type III collagen that make the skin pliable, while the reticulate dermis is made of the broad type I collagen and gives the skin tensile strength (the opposite to pliable). Overall COLLAGEN gives the skin everything it needs to work.

Absence of COLLAGEN in the skin causes wrinkles, there are various foods that you can scoff to increase your COLLAGEN, I'll put them in at the end.

MUSCLES:
Thousands of individual muscle fibres combine to form a a muscle. Each muscle fibre is covered by 3 layers of collagen. The innermost COLLAGEN sheath is the ENDOMYSIUM, followed by the much thicker PERIMYSIUM. The EPIMYSIUM is the last COLLAGEN layer. The collagen in the muscle helps it to contract and stretch to transmit force, which can be translated into motion or more strenuous activities like lifting.

Tendons, ligaments and cartilage:
All 3 are made of COLLAGEN. Type II collagen is found in cartilage. Collagen gives tendons and ligaments the ability to transmit force from the muscle and assist in the translation of this force to movement and exercise.

WOUND HEALING:
The COLLAGEN in the DERMIS is responsible for helping BUILD the skin back that has been damaged. COLLAGEN DEPOSITION is initiated by the body in a wound for the healing process. The right amount MUST be deposited for the skin to heal correctly.

FACTS ABOUT COLLAGEN:

Good sources of it!

Soy milk
Cheese
Dark green veg
Kale
Spinach
Collards
Asparagus
Red fruits and veg
Omega acids
Salmon
Tuna
Cashews
Pecans
Almonds
Brazil nuts
Avocados
Green and black olives
Cucumber
Celery
Vitamins A and C


Many thanks, much love, Adam :-) X