In living organisms, elastin and collagen are two important and widely distributed proteins. Both elastin and collagen play crucial roles and functions, essential for our skin and overall health. However, when it comes to the differences between the two, people often struggle to articulate the reasons.
Those who want to fight aging but are unsure whether to supplement with collagen or elastin are fortunate.Today we will analyze their differences in concept, structural characteristics and functions.
▶What is Elastin & Collagen ?
Elastin: Elastin is the main component of elastic fibers. Elastin makes up only 2% of total dermal protein, but it plays an important role in skin elasticity. Like collagen, elastin is rich in glycine and proline, but unlike collagen, elastin is not as hydroxylated and has no hydroxylysine present.
Elastin is found primarily in tissues such as lungs, blood vessels, skin, ligaments, and vein walls.
Two forms of elastin have been identified; elastin I is found in item ligaments, aorta, and skin; elastin II can be obtained from cartilage.
Collagen: Collagen is an extracellular protein and the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for more than 30% of total body protein. Collagen is rich in glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and other amino acids that the body needs.
There are about 3 kilograms of collagen in an adult's body, which is found throughout the body in various tissues and organs, mainly in human skin, bones, cartilage, eyes, teeth, tendons, internal organs (including heart, stomach, intestines, blood vessels) and other parts. In the composition of human skin, 70% is composed of collagen. Collagen is a family of proteins.
▶Distinction in Role:
01 Effects on the skin
Elastin: Collagen is a fibrous protein, twisted by three polypeptide chains, each collagen chain is a left-handed helical configuration, three left-handed helical chain intertwined into a right-handed helical structure, which is the unique triple helix of collagen, so that its molecular structure is very stable, the structure determines the nature, the nature determines the use of the structure of the complexity and stability of collagen determines the importance of its position in many fields.
Collagen: The skin is the most collagen-rich tissue, with 70% made up of collagen, and also accounts for 40% of all collagen in the body. The dermis is the essential foundation of the skin and is formed by a mesh of collagenous tissue in which collagen fills in the cell-to-cell spaces to plump and firm the skin.
02 Effects on blood vessels
Elastin: Elastin maintains the flexibility and elasticity of blood vessels, thus aiding in blood circulation, and also regulates blood pressure by dilating and constricting blood vessels.
Collagen: Collagen provides strength to the walls of blood vessels and maintains their stability. Without collagen, blood vessels would lose support, flatten out and blood would not flow smoothly.
03 Effects on cartilage
Elastin: Elastin plays a crucial role in providing elasticity to cartilage tissues, allowing cartilage to return to its original state after stretching and deforming, providing it with the ability to maintain organ morphology and provide flexibility.
Collagen: Research has shown that high quality active collagen can stimulate collagen synthesis and metabolism, repair damaged cartilage, restore cartilage elasticity, effectively reduce joint pain and prevent bone and joint diseases.
Overall, Collagen plays a supportive and connective role in tissues, giving them strength and structural stability, keeping the skin hydrated, smooth and plump, and is vital in keeping the skin young and healthy. Elastin, on the other hand, gives tissues the elasticity and flexibility they need to recover from stretching, and it plays an important role in maintaining the skin's elasticity and firmness.
Comparing the mattress to our skin, collagen is the sponge in the mattress, acting as a filler, which makes the mattress look plump but is prone to collapsing. Elastin, on the other hand, acts as a spring, supporting the collagen and giving the mattress its elasticity. The two are intertwined and entwined with each other, with the elastin reinforcing and supporting the collagen.
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