What is Collagen?
How collagen has contributed to the human body? In fact, it can be a beauty enhancer, a body structure protection and cancer prevention.
Collagen has been identified as the most prolific natural protein in our body. Collagen makes up connective tissue and the connective tissue makes up numerous of our body parts, allowing us to have elasticity and intensity to protect the skin, cartilage and bone.
In generic terms, collagen is just as important as water. This is to be said as it exists pretty much in every part of our body, just like water. For instance, collagen can be found in skin, bone, tendon, teeth, cornea, blood vessel, viscera and between the cartilages. The role of collagen in our body is highly essential.
Many cells and tissues in our body need collagen. Collagen is made up of amino acids. There will be 3 chains of amino acids combined to enhance a triple helix forming high-strength fiber. This fiber provides structural tissue support, flexibility and the ability to withstand strength and pressure.
Tendon
The tendon is found in the human body and has the functionality in connecting our muscles to bones. Tendons may also attach muscles to structures such as the eyeball. A tendon serves to move the bone or structure. When we engage in body movement, collagen plays an important role in the body as collagen fibrils allow tendons to resist tensile stress.
Articular Cartilage
Collagen is also needed inside the articular cartilage to form the extracellular framework of the tissue and provide basic architecture. To put in simple word, collagen stimulates cartilage growth. Collagen makes up cartilage and cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the end of bones in joints (areas where 2 or more bones meet). Thus, when collagen are slowly deteriorating, it will cause pain due to the cartilage in the joint is damaged and bones create friction during movements.
Skeletal System
The human skeletal system needs collagen as well. When the bones are formed, collagen fiber needs to be sufficient for the strong construction of the skeletal structure. Therefore, the role of collagen is crucial and also especially during the growth of a child, a large amount of collagen is needed for bone strength and consolidates the bones.
Cornea
The cornea has collagen fiber as well. It functions regularity in order to determine and maintain corneal shape for our eyes to allow light to travel smoothly through the eyes and allows individuals to have clear vision. However, the collagen in our eyes will slowly reduce as we age. Hence, when there aren't any supplementary products for us to consume as we grow older, we will start to have blurry vision.
So, as it can be seen that collagen is found throughout our body and it can be known as a natural ‘glue’ for the body. It maintains the body structures together and enables them to function accordingly. Therefore in general, collagen is an essential protein that maintains the structure and function of the body. Lastly, it plays a vital role in the tissue repair to sustain strong and flexible tissues as well.
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