How extra collagen helps your body (Part I)

Collagen is a family of highly characteristic, fibrous proteins found in all multi-cellular animals and are the most abundant proteins found in mammals, constituting 25 percent of total protein mass. The characteristic feature of a typical protein molecule is its long, stiff, triple-stranded helical structure in which three collagen polypeptide chains (called a [alpha] chains), are wound around each other forming a rope-like super helix. Collagens are extremely rich in the amino acid Proline and Glycine. (Read more)

How extra collagen helps your body (Part II)

In a recent article, we discussed the extra cellular matrix of the connective tissue of the human body. We learned that a family of cells, known as fibroblasts, secrete a matrix of macromolecules, i.e. polysaccharide chains of glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans. The GAGs and proteoglycan molecules form a gel-like substance, which helps the body resist compressive forces and allows rapid diffusion of nutrients, hormones and metabolites between blood and tissue. In addition, the extra-cellular matrix can expand and contract, which can inhibit and prevent admission of toxins, poisons, and some viruses and bacteria. (Read more)