Collagen Deficiency Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Signs and Symptoms of Collagen Deficiency: A Comprehensive Overview

Collagen is the foundation of youthful skin. However, the benefits of collagen will start fading away as soon as you age. This mostly affects women due to the low estrogen levels in the body as menopause knocks. Here, you start experiencing signs of low collagen as follows:

Wrinkles and Dry Skin

Collagen is responsible for firm, glowing, and healthy skin. A lack of collagen causes the skin to become dry and brittle. Collagen type VII, in particular, weakens the bond between the outer and inner layers of the skin. It makes the skin lose its elasticity, which in turn causes the development of wrinkles.

This study shows that 70 to 80% of skin consists of collagen. Skin lacking collagen will show a decline in health and start thinning, and the cheekbones will also start to show.

A body lacking enough collagen cannot repair its skin quickly. This is because any little collagen produced is used in wound healing and assists other vital organs, which is more important.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Another symptom of collagen deficiency is digestive system issues. Collagen helps in digestion, and a lack of it leads to increased intestinal permeability. The intestines contain tight junctions that help absorb nutrients.

When the intestines leak, particles can slip through, causing inflammation and infection. Collagen works to repair such intestinal gaps. If there is not enough collagen in the body, gastrointestinal issues arise. People with such issues often experience constipation and diarrhea.

Joint stiffness and Discomfort

Collagen more significantly affects the cartilage tissues, resulting in joint stiffness and Discomfort. If not treated, it ultimately develops into osteoarthritis, a prevalent condition leading to disability.

Collagen is responsible for rebuilding and repairing cartilage in your joints and tissues. It also provides flexibility and cushions to your joints.

Lack of this important supplement results in joint and tissue vulnerability. If you experience stiffness, swelling, or Discomfort in your muscles and limbs, you may show signs you need collagen.

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Thinning Hair and Nails

Collagen maintains strong and healthy hair and nails. The amino acid component provides structure, elasticity, and support, which assists in keeping hair thick and strong and nails resilient. The production of collagen maintains hair follicle structure and promotes healthy nail growth.

Now, aging comes with changes in diet and lifestyle. This means that the production of collagen naturally decreases. The effects of this are noticeable on hair and nails. Some collagen loss symptoms include brittle and weak hair and nails, prone to breakage, and slow growth.

Additionally, hair may start thinning and looking dull. Further, nails will chip or peel easily. These are just but simple symptoms of a lack of collagen, which impacts overall body health.

Slow Wound Healing

Collagen is vital in tissue repair. Poor wound healing is often a sign of collagen deficiency. After an Injury, the body produces collagen to repair the damaged tissue. The process tends to be slower when collagen levels are low, causing delayed or impaired wound healing.

Age-related reductions in collagen synthesis and factors such as glucocorticoids or chemotherapy further hinder this healing process. Collagen provides good remodeling and strengthens the healing tissue. Without it, or when its levels in the body are low, recovery may take longer.

Reduced Mobility

A lack of collagen reduced joint mobility. When collagen levels are insufficient, joints become less stable and flexible, which restricts movement patterns. Low collagen impacts the integrity of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, which are vital for movement. When these are compromised, moving becomes more difficult and painful.

Hypermobility is a common condition affecting people with collagen deficiency. This condition causes reduced mobility over time. Excessive joint movement causes micro-injuries and inflammation, which later leads to joint stiffness and decreased range of motion. Affected patients often report difficulty in everyday activities such as walking.

The effects of mobility worsen with age as collagen production declines. People with collagen deficiency develop tendonitis and ligament injuries. These conditions can improve with regular physical therapy and targeted exercise programs.

Weakened Bones

Collagen production is vital for bone tissue buildup. It helps keep bones strong and resilient. The gradual loss of collagen due to age leads to decreased bone density. A loss in bone density leads to the development of osteoporosis, a bone disease that develops when bone density and quality are reduced.

Research shows that collagen deficiency affects the bone remodeling process, replacing bone tissue with new tissue. Without enough collagen, bones become porous and fragile, further increasing the risk of fractures. Women are more vulnerable to these effects after menopause when estrogen levels drop.

According to this study, 75% of bone strength and flexibility is from collagen structure. Its insufficiency means that bones are unable to withstand mechanical stress and impact. This weakness can further cause complications, such as vertebral compression fractures and hip fractures.

Read More: Best Collagen For Bone Density

What Causes Collagen Deficiency?

There are several collagen deficiency causes as follows:

Aging

As mentioned above, aging is one of the major reasons your body cannot produce enough collagen at any particular time. A collagen deficiency blood test may not be sufficient to accurately detect whether you have low collagen. However, the loss of collagen symptoms shown above act as a guide.

Dr Scott Allison

MBBS, FRACGP, FCPCA

Dr Scott Allison, a Cosmetic Physician shared experience in Ascension says, As we age, our body’s collagen synthesis gradually declines, commencing around our mid-20s. For women, the onset of menopause marks a significant decline, with potential losses of up to 30% in collagen production within the initial 5 years.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are when the body’s immune systems begin to attack its tissues, including those that produce collagen. Some of the most common autoimmune diseases that can lead to collagen deficiency include lupus, dermatomyositis, and connective tissue disease.

Smoking and Alcohol

Excessive drinking lowers collagen production. Furthermore, tobacco smokers experience skin elasticity due to it. This is because of the presence of nicotine in cigarettes. It prevents the body from producing collagen. Also, smoking restricts the blood movement around the nose—a reason why smokers have dull skin.

Excessive Sugar and Carbs

Consuming sugar and carbohydrates also affects collagen production. These foods are attached to protein in the body and result in the formation of glycation, which damages the protein content in the body.

UV Ray

Research shows that Ultraviolet rays are harmful to the skin. Constantly exposing the skin to UV rays leads to dull and dry skin. This is because UV rays reduce collagen and break it down, affecting the skin.

Genetic Mutation

Some genetic mutations can disrupt the body’s ability to produce and maintain healthy collagen levels. For example, Ehlers-Danlo Syndrome ( EDS), an inherited condition that affects the genes responsible for collagen synthesis and structure, is a case in point.

Genetic mutations lead to poor collagen production, which in turn results in fragile connective tissues in the body. People with these mutations often experience symptoms from early childhood.

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How to Treat and Prevent Collagen Deficiency

A lack of enough collagen can be alarming, especially as one ages. The good news is that this is treatable, and there are set ways to prevent collagen levels from being ridiculously low.

Some collagen deficiency treatment and prevention include:

Incorporating Proper Diet

A healthy diet stimulates the production of collagen. This research shows that eating foods rich in Zinc, Copper, and Vitamin C is a natural way to increase collagen production. Eating foods such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, berries, and nuts will ensure that your body always has enough collagen.

Read More: Does Vitamin C Boost Collagen?

Protecting the Skin

Skin aging can result from UV damage to collagen. Therefore, it is recommended that you use sunscreen daily.

Exercise

According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, regular exercise helps increase collagen production in the body. Exercises such as weightlifting, yoga, and pilates help strengthen bones, muscles, and joints, further promoting collagen production.

Topical Treatments

Skin care creams such as retinoids, hyaluronic acid, and peptides can increase collagen formation and firmness, which is affected when collagen levels in the body are low.

Hydration

Adequate hydration is important for collagen production. Water transports nutrients needed for collagen production and keeps the skin cells plump and elastic. Dehydration can reduce collagen synthesis and accelerate collagen breakdown, affecting skin appearance and joint health.

Collagen Supplements: Are they Effective?

It’s hard for your body to start producing enough collagen once it stops. Therefore, finding alternative ways to get collagen into your system is important.

If you notice your skin lacking collagen, start taking collagen supplements. A research by the Arthritis Foundation indicates that oral collagen supplements improve skin elasticity, assist in hydration, and heal wounds. Further, they help reduce joint pain and support bone density.

The effectiveness of collagen may vary depending on the type of quality of the supplement. Some, such as Hydrolyzed collagen peptides, are the most effective since they are easier for the body to absorb.

For optimal results, it is recommended that you consume 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen daily. Combine these with a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition for better results.

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