Prerequisites for Collagen Self-Synthesis

Composition of Collagen

Collagen is composed of 20 amino acids, with three primary ones being glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids can be obtained from protein-rich foods and are synthesized into collagen within the human body. Since proteins are large molecules, they must first be digested and broken down into amino acids through hydrolysis before they can enter fibroblasts to produce collagen. (In the body, some water molecules dissociate into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, and these ions break down large protein molecules into smaller amino acids—a process known as hydrolysis.)

Sources of Collagen

High-quality protein foods that support fibroblasts in producing collagen include eggs, seafood, lean meats, and tofu. Pairing these with vitamin C, as well as zinc and copper found in seafood, can further enhance the collagen synthesis process. Some people mistakenly believe that foods like white fungus, okra, or peach gum aid in collagen production; however, these are merely slippery polysaccharides, not proteins. The amino acids that enable fibroblasts to generate collagen come from high-quality protein foods and certain premium oral collagen supplements.

Collagen from Biochemical Technology

With rapid advancements in biochemical technology, a variety of topical and oral collagen products are now available on the market. These serve as alternatives or supplements to insufficient high-quality protein intake from daily diets, helping the dermis acquire more collagen for hydrated, resilient skin. However, collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the dermis when applied topically, limiting their effect to moisturizing the outer stratum corneum. Oral collagen cannot be directly absorbed by dermal collagen fibers either—it must be digested and hydrolyzed into amino acids, which then enter fibroblasts in the dermis to produce collagen.

Modern biochemical technology can now formulate oral collagen with the 20 essential amino acids, some even enriched with vitamin C, zinc, and copper. However, the amount of hydrolyzed amino acids that reach fibroblasts to form collagen varies from person to person, as does the effectiveness. Additionally, whether the bloodstream can deliver these amino acids to the facial dermis, and whether there is sufficient ATP for active transport into fibroblasts, are critical factors. For oral collagen to achieve optimal results, the prerequisite is enhancing the fibroblasts’ and collagen fibers’ capacity for repair and regeneration.