Collagen, often hailed as the body's scaffolding, is the most abundant protein in our bodies. Found predominantly in skin, bones, muscles, and tendons, it provides structure and elasticity, ensuring our skin remains firm and joint movement remains smooth. At its core, collagen is a complex protein composed of various amino acids, both essential and non-essential. Collagen performs many important functions in the body like promoting the growth of new cells, facilitating the replacement of dead skin cells, and offering protective covering for delicate organs.

Essential amino acids like histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and valine are part of collagen's composition. These amino acids are crucial for the maintenance of good health and are actively involved in protein synthesis (the process of combining proteins to perform important functions like producing hormones, enzymes, and even new muscle).

Collagen also contains non-essential amino acids like alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine. Even though they are termed non-essential, these amino acids still play a pivotal role in the synthesis of proteins.

There are several types of collagen, each with a distinct role in the body. Some offer rigidity to our bones, while support skin or flexibility to the joints.

As we age, collagen production decreases. The collagen that remains starts breaking down at an accelerated pace and isn’t the same quality as when you were young. Visible signs of decreasing collagen levels include wrinkles, sagging skin, weakening muscles, joint pain, and more.