Did you know that collagen, a key structural protein in our bodies, begins to decline as soon as we hit 25? While these changes may seem subtle at first, over time we start to notice their effects: wrinkles, joint pain, loss of skin elasticity. But what exactly happens to our bodies when collagen levels decline? What health risks are associated with this? And what can we do to combat these changes?
Collagen plays a key role in maintaining the structure and function of many tissues in our bodies, including skin, joints, bones, blood vessels, muscles, and even internal organs. Its deficiency has far-reaching effects, affecting not only our appearance but also the health of our entire body. Understanding what happens in the body when collagen is deficient can help us take better care of our health and counteract the effects of aging.
Collagen Synthesis Decline – What Happens After Age 25?
An interesting fact that few people know: from the age of 25, the synthesis of collagen in our body begins to decline by about 1% per year. With age, this process accelerates, and around the age of 40, it decreases even more rapidly. Why does this matter? Because collagen is responsible for the elasticity of the skin, the strength of the bones and the health of the joints.
Think of it as the erosion of a building’s structure: if collagen acts as a “scaffold” in your body, the gradual loss of this protein causes the foundation to weaken. Skin loses its firmness, wrinkles appear, and regenerative processes slow down. Did you know that it’s because of the loss of collagen that wounds take longer to heal and joints become less flexible?
Collagen – what exactly is it and why is it so important?
Collagen is the body's main structural protein, making up 30% of its total protein mass. It is the foundation of connective tissue that supports, protects, and connects various body structures. Without collagen, our skin, bones, joints, muscles, and even internal organs would not be able to maintain their integrity.
Collagen acts as a "biological glue" that holds cells in place. It's what makes our skin firm, our bones strong, and our joints flexible. It's also found in blood vessels, the cornea of the eye, and our teeth, providing structural support.
Think about what happens when collagen starts to run out? Skin loses firmness, wrinkles appear, joints start to hurt, and wounds heal more slowly. These are all visible signs that our body is losing its ability to regenerate effectively.
What causes collagen deficiency?
Collagen deficiency is not just a result of the aging process. There are many factors that can accelerate this process or further weaken it. Here are the most important ones:
- Aging
This is the main cause of the decrease in collagen synthesis. After the age of 25, the rate of collagen production decreases, and around the age of 40 there is a sharp decrease. With age, the body loses the ability to regenerate and produce new collagen fibers. The effects of this process are visible both externally and internally - from wrinkles to joint problems. - UV radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation destroys collagen fibers in the skin, which leads to faster aging. Unprotected sun exposure accelerates the collagen degradation process, causing wrinkles, discoloration, and loss of skin elasticity. - Smoking
Smoking causes the release of free radicals that damage collagen fibers, leading to faster skin aging and weakening of connective tissue.Additionally, nicotine restricts blood flow, which makes it difficult to deliver essential nutrients to the skin and tissues. - Improper diet
A lack of key nutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc, copper, and amino acids (glycine, proline), which are essential for collagen production, can lead to a decrease in collagen levels. In a diet low in protein, fruits, and vegetables, the body does not have enough resources to produce collagen at the right level. - Oxidative stress
An excess of free radicals, caused by factors such as air pollution, stress, bad eating habits, causes damage to cells and collagen fibers, which accelerates the aging process and weakens the body's regenerative abilities.
The effects of collagen deficiency – what can happen to your body?
Collagen deficiency has many negative consequences that affect different parts of the body. Think about how a lack of collagen can affect your health?
- Skin - loss of elasticity and signs of aging
Collagen is a key element for skin health. It is responsible for its firmness, hydration and elasticity. When collagen levels drop, the skin begins to age – wrinkles appear, the skin becomes more saggy and loses its youthful glow. This process is the result of the body's reduced ability to produce new collagen fibers, which results in a loss of skin integrity.
Reduced collagen also causes wounds to heal more slowly, increases susceptibility to injury, and increases the risk of scarring. The skin becomes thinner, drier, and stretch marks and cellulite become more visible.
- Joints and bones – pain, stiffness and degenerative diseases
Collagen is essential for healthy joints and bones. The cartilage in your joints, which protects your bones from friction, is made up primarily of type II collagen. When levels of this are low, the cartilage becomes thinner, leading to pain, stiffness, and an increased risk of joint damage. Collagen deficiency can lead to the development of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
In bones, collagen acts as a flexible matrix that gives them strength. Its deficiency leads to weaker bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, especially in older people.
- Muscle problems and musculoskeletal disorders
Have you noticed that your muscles are becoming stiff and more prone to injuries? Collagen plays a key role in the structure of muscles and tendons, so its deficiency directly affects their functioning. Not having enough collagen can lead to muscle weakness, which makes them less durable and tire more quickly after exercise.
Collagen deficiency also leads to the formation of trigger points – painful areas in the muscles that become tense and uncomfortable. These areas of tension can lead to chronic pain, limiting your freedom of movement. Furthermore, collagen is essential for muscle recovery after intense exercise, so a deficiency in it delays the recovery process and increases the risk of injury.
People suffering from sciatica may also notice an increase in symptoms. Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the intervertebral discs that cushion the movement of the spine. A lack of collagen can lead to a weakening of these structures, which increases the risk of pain related to compression of the sciatic nerve.
- Blood vessels and the heart – a threat to the health of the circulatory system
Did you know that collagen is also found in the walls of blood vessels? Type III collagen provides elasticity and strength to vessels, which allows them to function properly. Collagen deficiency weakens blood vessels, increasing the risk of ruptures, aneurysms, and other cardiovascular problems.
A reduction in the amount of collagen in the vessels can lead to atherosclerosis, as the blood vessels become stiff and less flexible. This, in turn, increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems.
- Eye and internal organ problems
Collagen also plays an important role in the cornea of the eye, maintaining its shape and clarity. Collagen deficiency can lead to vision problems such as corneal degeneration, which threatens your ability to see.
Collagen also provides structural support for internal organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys. A lack of it weakens these structures, which can lead to impaired organ function and increased risk of disease.
Benefits of Collagen Supplementation – Is It Worth It?
Collagen supplementation may prove to be a key solution for those who suffer from its deficiency. Many scientific studies confirm that collagen supplementation has wide-ranging health benefits. Here is how collagen supplementation works and what are its benefits:
- Improving skin elasticity and hydration
Using hydrolyzed collagen can improve skin hydration, increase elasticity, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Collagen also aids in skin regeneration, which can speed up wound healing and reduce the appearance of scars. Regular supplementation can help keep your skin looking young for longer.
- Supporting joint and bone health
Collagen supplementation, especially type II, helps rebuild joint cartilage and supports bone health. This works especially well for people with osteoarthritis, reducing joint pain and improving joint flexibility. Studies show that people taking hydrolyzed collagen can experience significant improvements in mobility and reduced joint pain.
- Circulatory system protection
Collagen also supports the health of blood vessels, improving their elasticity and strength. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke.
- Strengthening hair and nails
Collagen deficiency can weaken the structure of hair and nails. Supplementation can help strengthen hair, increase its volume, and prevent brittle nails. Collagen provides the building blocks needed to regenerate cells in these structures, which can improve their health and appearance.
Summary – Why is collagen the key to health?
Collagen is the foundation of healthy skin, joints, bones, blood vessels, muscles and many other tissues in our body. A decline in its production, especially after the age of 25, leads to visible signs of aging and weakening of the body. However, there are ways to counteract these changes. Collagen supplementation, a proper diet, protection of the skin from UV radiation and avoiding harmful habits can help support collagen production and prevent its deficiency.
Think about how you take care of your health - maybe it's time to support your body with the right habits and supplements that will help you stay healthy and look younger for longer.