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What is collagen and why is it so popular in the beauty industry?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It makes up 60% of our cartilage and accounts for 70 to 80% of the dry weight of skin, also featuring in other connective tissues such as tendons, muscles and bones. It gives our bodies elasticity and resilience, but its production slows down as we age, leading to more aches and pains and making us look older and more wrinkly. Factors such as sun exposure and smoking, along with chronic stress, lack of sleep or exercise, can speed its decline. The desire to mitigate these ageing effects has contributed to a global industry estimated to be worth $4bn (£3.32bn) in 2022. There are 28 different types of collagen, and collagen products range…

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Collagen, the most abundant protein in your body, comes in a variety of types, each with its own unique role and benefits. Type 1 collagen, known as the "architect" of your skin, provides strength and elasticity, keeping your complexion smooth and supple.† Type 2 collagen, the "joint lubricator," cushions your joints, enabling smooth and easy movements, while also supporting the health of your cartilage.† Meanwhile, type 3 collagen works alongside type 1, to help maintain the youthful resilience and plumpness of your skin.

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Collagen is made up of amino acids – primarily glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline – which are essential for building and repairing tissue. In fact, this wonder protein makes up around 70% of the dry mass of our skin and forms the extracellular matrix (a fancy term for the network that keeps our skin resilient and bouncy).

What is Collagen? Get to know the body’s most abundant protein

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the human body. In fact, it accounts for about 30% of all bodily protein. Specifically, collagen is a key component of our connective tissues, playing a critical role in helping to support strength, flexibility, movement and motion. As a structural protein, collagen is made up of 18 amino acids and is uniquely high in 3 key amino acids: glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. These amino acids form long chains of polypeptide molecules that create the structure of collagen fibers. These collagen proteins are critical in helping to support the health and integrity of our body’s tissues, especially in our muscles, tendons, bones, joints and skin.

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The Nutrition Source

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Its fiber-like structure is used to make connective tissue. Like the name implies, this type of tissue connects other tissues and is a major component of bone, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage. It helps to make tissues strong and resilient, able to withstand stretching.