by Dawn Thorpe Jarvis Senior Director Nutrition Science & Educational Content , Garden of Life

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and makes up around 30 % of the body ’ s protein . It gives structure to very important tissues and is often described as the glue that holds everything together .

It is a major building block of all connective tissue . Collagen , in the form of elongated fibrils , is mostly found in fibrous tissues such as tendons , ligaments and the dermis of the skin where it acts as a structural scaffold . Collagen is also abundant in the cornea of the eye , cartilage , bones , blood vessel walls , the gut lining , intervertebral discs in our backbone , and in teeth and nails . As we age , the body ’ s ability to make collagen diminishes significantly starting at around age 30 . Many people take collagen as a supplement hoping to prevent the signs of aging resulting from lower collagen production , such as sagging skin and wrinkles . that Collagen Types I & III account for over 90 % of the body ’ s collagen make up . Therefore , people take Bovine collagen because it is mostly made up of Type I & III . However , to build collagen , your body needs all the essential building blocks . This means consuming an adequate amount of complete protein daily , in addition to taking collagen peptides which provides higher amounts of “ the big three ” amino acids ( Glycine , Proline , Hydroxyproline ), helps rebuild the various types of collagen in the body .