The Right Type of Collagen That’s Best for Your Skin - CNET

Collagen is all the hype if you pay close attention to skincare content on social media. Collagen is an essential protein building block that forms the foundation of our skin, bones and connective tissues . It helps to strengthen our bones and keep our skin from being dry and dull. However, aging declines our body's natural collagen production . This can be combated with a change in diet and supplements to help keep our collagen levels boosted. That's where collagen and collagen peptides come in. But which one should you be taking? To find out, you'll first need to learn their differences. Here's everything you need to know you're purchasing the right product. CNET What is collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein our bodies produce. It is made from three chains of amino acids arranged into a helix pattern and is found in our muscles, tendons, cartilage, skin and bones. Amino acid glycine is present in most collagen chains , with proline and hydroxyproline also being common. In addition to being a foundational building block, collagen is more specifically useful for tissue repair and a healthy immune response. There are 28 types of collagen . Of these, types I and III make up the significant majority. As we age, our collagen breaks down more quickly, and our bodies become less effective at producing more. (This is one of the contributing causes of aging skin.) Other factors that contribute to collagen decline include smoking, environmental pollution, excessive alcohol use and nutrient deficiencies. What does collagen do? As we age, our collagen breaks down at a faster rate, compounded by decreased production, so it's important to be mindful of our collagen intake. While this is important for overall body health, there are many specific benefits that people may pursue. Healthy collagen levels help maintain the following: Healthy hair Skin Bones Joints Tendons Bone mass What are collagen peptides? Collagen peptides , also known as hydrolyzed collagen , are fragments of animal-derived collagen that is broken down through a process called hydrolysis. When the collagen is hydrolyzed , it becomes more bioavailable -- the body is more effective at absorbing it. Collagen peptides aid in producing new collagen proteins and repairing existing ones. While thorough research into these supplements is relatively new, studies are beginning to make promising findings. For instance, this study found that collagen peptide supplements can contribute to improvements in numerous traits of skin health . Yulia Lisitsa/Getty Images What do collagen peptides do? Numerous suspected benefits of collagen peptide supplements exist, although only a few have been seriously researched. Among those potential benefits include improvements to aging skin and osteoarthritis . Although these peptides are mostly consumed to repair damaged collagen, these supplements may also help with other health issues like: What's the difference between collagen and collagen peptides? One key difference between collagen and collagen peptides is that one is a broken-down form of the other. Collagen peptides are made by breaking animal collagen down through hydrolysis....

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