BENGALURU: Have you noticed the word collagen in most skin care creams, especially the anti wrinkle creams? Well, if you were wondering what collagen is, it is simply a protein present in all the body’s organs and tissues.
Collagen is derived from the Greek ‘kolla’ meaning glue. According to MediLexicon, collagen is a family of genetically distinct molecules, all of which have a unique triple helix configuration of three polypeptide subunits known as alpha-chains.
There are about 16 different types of collagen but about 90 per cent of collagens in the body are of types I, II and III. The collagens in the human body are strong and flexible with Type I collagen being particularly tensile and are actually stronger than steel.
The skin is made up of three layers, epidermis, dermis and hypodermis and it is in the dermis that collagen is found. It is responsible for skin strength and elasticity and loss of collagen causes wrinkles and causes the weakening of cartilage in joints. In fact as you age, the body’s collagen production reduces causing wrinkles, fine lines and reduces skin suppleness. But before you reach for that anti ageing cream, hold on.
Collagen is like the cement that binds everything together. The collagen produced by the body has several important roles in health. If this is depleted, supplemental collagen may be used for both medical and cosmetic purposes.
While most anti-wrinkle creams contain collagen and elastin, they are too dense to penetrate into the skin and often simply stay on the surface. Also with the number of chemicals contained in the creams available off the shelf, it could potentially quicken ageing as opposed to controlling it. Collagen gives structural support, strength and some elasticity in the body. Apart from being required in the replacement and restoration of dead skin cells, it also acts as a as protective covering for organs like the kidneys.
The reduction of collagen happens post the age of 40 and in case of women it reduces quite drastically after menopause. So how do you ensure collagen is maintained? Well, simply stick to the right diet.
Soy products contain genistein which gives it collagen production qualities. Likewise, dark green vegetables have the antioxidant lutein that helps the body manufacture collagen.
Red fruits and vegetables contain lycopenesl that is an excellent source to increase collagen. Likewise Vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges, lemons and strawberries and prunes as well as fish like salmon and tuna and cashews, pecans, almonds and Brazil nuts help.
In fact all of these contain Omega-3 fatty acids that help the body increase collagen. Likewise flaxseed also has healthy fat omega-3.
Foods rich in sulphur content like green and black olives, fresh cucumbers and celery can help. The key really is to eat a balanced diet that can help produce collagen.
The author is a Co - founder, le’jeune Skin & Hair Transplant Clinic