Collagen Vitamins

Before we jump towards discussing collagen vitamins, let's first take a brief tutorial of what collagen is, and how it is important for our body. Collagen is a major and significant constituent of our body's muscle mass. The term collagen is collectively used to denote a group of naturally occurring proteins, much of which is found specifically in animals, especially mammals. Collagen proteins make up much of the connective tissues and fleshy matter of mammals and this group of proteins are one of the most abundantly occurring proteins in mammals. Be it fibrous tendons, the elastic ligaments, skin, cartilage, bones, blood vessels, the gut, cornea or the intervertebral disc, collagen is present in significant amounts in all of these constituents of the mammalian biology.

This collagen is often extracted from animals to make products of commercial value. For instance, gelatin, which can be found in most households and is a key ingredient for making a number of desserts, is nothing other than hydrolyzed collagen. Now, getting back to the subject of this article, let's take a look at what collagen vitamins are, and how they work.

What Are Collagen Vitamins?

Now, before beginning the main discussion, let's understand what the term collagen vitamins means. Well, collagen vitamins are those vitamins which either enhance the production of collagen in our body or lead to stronger bond between collagen fibers. In this context, there are two vitamins that play a vital role as catalysts to encourage collagen formation and regulate collagen synthesis and these are vitamin A and vitamin C.

As we have discussed previously, collagen is present in our skin and connective tissues. It is the collagen content that imparts skin and the connective tissues their elasticity and firmness. Now, those of you who use anti-aging skin products like firming creams and anti-wrinkle skin care products must be aware that vitamin A or its derivatives such as Retinoid are a major ingredient of these products. Have you ever wondered why? Well, studies have shown that vitamin A and its derivatives act auxiliary to collagen by removing fine lines and wrinkles. They enhance the elasticity of collagen and act as a supplementary ally to the latter in accelerating the rate of collagen production in the skin. As such, vitamin A enhances the collagen's elastic property and imparts skin the right amount of firmness that it needs to look young without appearing too taut.

Collagen vitamin C can be called the major collagen vitamin among the two. This is because vitamin C is an active co-factor in the synthesis of several collagen proteins. These synthesis reactions are what we see as the healing of wounds and the prevention of capillary bleeding. Vitamin C enhances the production of collagen and this leads to stronger connective tissues and muscular fibers. Stronger and abundant collagen in the system means faster regeneration of damaged tissues, lower instances of tissue damage and healthier skin, bones, cartilage, cornea and all other biological locations that abound in collagen.

Do Collagen Vitamins Work?

It's the same as asking 'Do vitamins A and C work?'. Of course they work; we all know they do! Benefits can be seen in the form of improved skin texture, enhanced elasticity and reduced wrinkles, stronger joints, healthier teeth and gums, reduced skin disorders, a stronger immune system, better vision and bone metabolism, etc. The antioxidant properties of both these vitamins impart the anti-aging effects that form the basis of the age-reversal properties' claims by marketers of vitamins A, C and collagen supplements and various other anti-aging skin care products.

Side effects of these vitamins are the same as the possible side effects of too much vitamin A or vitamin C intake. These side effects may include nausea, irritability, jaundice, anorexia, blurry vision, abdominal pain, muscular pain, headaches, drowsiness, weakness, indigestion, diarrhea, flushing, sleep disturbances, etc.

The bottom line is straight and simple - functions of different vitamins and what they do for your body depends upon the number of units consumed of particular vitamin, and whether such consumption is based upon actual biological requirement or not. Popping in vitamins and other nutritional and anti-aging supplements just for the sake of it, or just because you heard somewhere that it is good for you, may do more harm than good. The same maxim applies to collagen vitamins and other similar products such as collagen creams, injections, pills, etc. Consult an expert before grabbing that attractively marketed collagen product, promising youth and agility, off that beauty supplement store's shelf. Unnecessary usage may cause damage and the risk is simply not worth it.