Is taking collagen orally a waste of money?

Author: Fan Ruirui, MD, Xiamen University Xiang'an Hospital

Reviewer: Chen Jin, Chief Physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chairman of the Dermatology Branch of Chongqing Medical Association, Chairman of the Medical Cosmetology Professional Committee of Chongqing Maternal and Child Health Association

Factors such as aging, ultraviolet radiation, malnutrition and unhealthy lifestyles can lead to the loss of collagen in the human body, which in turn causes a variety of problems such as loose skin, sagging and wrinkles. In recent years, with the change of aesthetic concepts and the improvement of living standards, more and more people have begun to pay attention to their own image. As a result, various types of collagen supplements have appeared on the market, including oral, smear and injection, which are widely welcomed by consumers. Many people may have doubts: Can oral collagen still work after being digested by gastric acid? Today, we will popularize the medical knowledge about collagen and reveal whether oral collagen is a "tax on IQ".

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1. Structure and classification of collagen

Collagen in the skin is mainly distributed in the dermis. It is an important structural protein synthesized by fibroblasts and secreted into the extracellular matrix of the dermis. It is composed of three spiral polypeptide chains entangled with each other to form a triple helix structure. It has received extensive attention in the skin beauty industry because it can play a variety of important physiological functions in the dermis. At present, more than 20 different types of collagen have been discovered and identified. Among them, type I collagen is the most abundant in the body, accounting for more than 80% of the total collagen in young adult skin, and is mainly found in tissues such as skin, bones, tendons, and blood vessels; type II collagen is mainly found in cartilage tissue; and type III collagen is mainly found in elastic fibers.

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2. Physiological functions of collagen

Although skin aging is an inevitable physiological process, it can be delayed and slowed to a certain extent. Therefore, preventing and delaying skin aging has always been an important issue of concern to the academic and beauty communities. Collagen has many important functions in the human body: first, it supports and protects human skin, bones, tendons, blood vessels and other tissues; second, collagen can regulate cell growth and differentiation, promote tissue repair and regeneration; in addition, collagen can also regulate the permeability and elasticity of blood vessel walls, and maintain normal blood pressure and blood flow. The collagen in the skin is mainly type I and type III, and its content gradually decreases with age. Reduced collagen synthesis will reduce the elasticity of the dermis, leading to wrinkling and sagging of the skin. In addition, scientific oral collagen may have the following effects on improving skin conditions:

1. Improve skin elasticity and water content, prevent and reduce the formation of skin wrinkles, and make the skin firmer and younger.

2. Improve dull skin tone and promote skin blood circulation.

3. Repair skin barrier and promote skin cell growth and differentiation.

3. Can oral collagen be absorbed and effectively utilized by the human body?

After oral collagen is digested by the gastrointestinal tract, it will be broken down into small molecular amino acids, providing a material basis for the body to synthesize collagen. In theory, supplementing type I and type III collagen can improve skin aging problems to a certain extent. Studies have shown that small molecular weight collagen is easier to be digested and absorbed by the human body. After being absorbed, collagen has great potential in delaying skin aging, such as promoting the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis, stimulating keratinocyte proliferation and inhibiting its differentiation, repairing skin damage and anti-oxidation. It is worth noting that the effect of oral collagen is related to many factors such as product type, molecular weight, production process, and individual absorption rate, and it is only possible to show the effect after long-term use. Therefore, it cannot be generalized whether oral collagen is a "IQ tax".

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4. How to choose collagen scientifically to avoid the “IQ tax”?

1. Clarify your own needs and purposes: Before choosing oral collagen, consumers should clarify their needs and purposes. If, under the guidance of a professional doctor, you believe that it is necessary to supplement collagen to delay skin aging, then scientific oral collagen is not a "tax on intelligence".

2. Choose collagen products carefully: There are many types of collagen products on the market, and the quality varies. Consumers should carefully check the ingredients, production date, shelf life and other information when purchasing, and choose carefully.

3. Be rational about product promotion: Consumers should be rational when choosing collagen products and not believe in exaggerated or false advertising. They should learn more about collagen before purchasing and consult doctors and other professionals.

4. Although collagen supplementation helps improve skin conditions, you also need to maintain good living habits, combined with proper exercise and skin care, in order to scientifically and effectively delay skin aging.

Whether oral collagen is a "tax on IQ" depends on multiple factors such as personal needs and product selection, and cannot be generalized. Therefore, when choosing oral collagen products, consumers are advised to maintain a rational attitude, carefully choose products that are suitable for them, and maintain skin health through a healthy diet and moderate exercise. In short, we should analyze specific situations, rather than simply classifying oral collagen as a "tax on IQ".