Is it possible to maintain a youthful appearance by using Collagen (Collagen) supplements?

In contemporary society, there's a significant discussion surrounding the use of collagen supplements in the beauty and health sectors. Individuals expressing various opinions through social media and advertisements constantly claim that taking these supplements is essential for radiant skin and maintaining a youthful appearance.

These promotional activities specifically target women, and many are inclined to spend large sums of money on these supplements. However, it's crucial to gain a correct understanding of the scientific truth behind this trend and how collagen truly functions in our bodies. This is because collagen is not merely for skin radiance but a complex protein that affects the overall functioning of the human body.

Collagen is one of the main proteins present in our body, and it functions as a connective tissue that binds various parts of the body together. Although we commonly think collagen is only important for the skin, it plays an essential role in connecting internal organs, blood vessels, and cells throughout the body. Furthermore, collagen contributes to providing the necessary structure for blood clotting and facilitating communication between cells. Therefore, collagen is not just an inactive substance that fills the skin, but an active tissue that directly impacts cellular function.

The primary reason for the change in our skin's nature with aging is the decline in collagen production. Collagen is produced by cells called 'fibroblasts' located beneath our skin. As a person ages, the number of these fibroblast cells decreases, and consequently, the amount of collagen produced gradually declines. Additionally, external factors such as exposure to sunlight (UV rays), smoking, and nutritional deficiencies can damage these cells, leading to wrinkles and an aged appearance. Specifically, when muscle tissues weaken, collagen may sometimes replace them, which can also lead to a reduction in muscle strength.

Many people attempt to solve this problem by taking collagen supplements available in the market. However, the issue that arises here is the extent to which these supplements can be absorbed by the body. Collagen is a large molecule and can break down into smaller parts during digestion in the digestive tract. For example, although foods like gelatin or jelly contain collagen, only a very small percentage (approximately 10%) is absorbed by the body. Therefore, the idea that simply consuming foods or supplements claiming to contain collagen will directly deposit it in the skin and make it youthful has not been scientifically proven.

To increase collagen production, it is more important to provide the body with the necessary raw materials. Collagen is made up of amino acids. Specifically, the amino acids 'hydroxyproline' and 'proline' are essential for collagen production. Surprisingly, cow's milk and dairy products are rich in these amino acids. While meat, fish, and eggs also contain some collagen, the amino acids in milk are easily absorbable by the body. Although obtaining these ingredients can be somewhat challenging for vegetarians, a proper nutritional pattern and intake of nutrients like Vitamin C can stimulate collagen production.

In addition to food and supplements, physical exercise has a strong impact on collagen production. Especially when weightlifting or resistance exercises put some pressure on muscles and tissues, the body responds by stimulating the growth of new tissues. Stretching and contracting tissues stimulate fibroblast cells to produce more collagen. Therefore, engaging in exercises that strengthen muscles not only promotes muscle growth but also has a beneficial effect on the health of the body's connective tissues.

Methods such as facial massage have also become popular today for maintaining youthful skin. It is believed that using tools like "Gua Sha" to stretch and apply pressure to the facial skin can provide some mechanical stimulation. However, there is still insufficient definitive scientific evidence regarding how much this contributes to collagen production. Nevertheless, since research has confirmed that mechanical stress in the body's internal tissues is beneficial for collagen growth, it can be assumed that there might be some truth to these methods.

However, about 60% - 70% of our skin's nature and the aging process are determined by genetic factors. Some individuals are born with good skin, while environmental factors strongly affect others. Before worrying about collagen supplements, protecting the skin from harmful sunlight, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a nutritious diet are more practical solutions. While supplements may offer some support, relying solely on pills without a healthy lifestyle will not yield the desired results. 
(Based on ABC Science)