How to Improve Collagen Homeostasis and Skin Health Through Diet

Reach for collagen supplements or eat more plants?

Photo by Jellybee on Unsplash

Collagen is currently a huge topic in health and fitness, and for good reason. Approximately 30% of the total protein in our bodies is comprised of collagen, which has a structural role in our skin and connective tissue. Collagen proteins are comprised of three tightly interlocking fibrils that, when grouped, form the structure that supports many of our tissues. Aside from its structural roles, collagen also has functional roles in wound healing and blood clot formation. Collagen is also very important for our skin aesthetics, which is why it is such a popular ingredient in skin health and beauty supplements.

Collagen is great, but supplements can be expensive…so it’s important for us as consumers to know if these supplements actually work and are worth buying. There are many different types of collagen and formulations of collagen supplements. Collagen peptides are a form of hydrolyzed collagen that is thought to be absorbed better than intact collagen. Collagen is rich in the amino acids proline and glycine. Proline, in particular, is notorious for making the structure of proteins more complicated. Therefore, the high proline content of collagen makes it resistant to digestion. Collagen peptides alleviate this problem by…