COLLAGEN: IT’S WHAT HOLDS A BODY TOGETHER

Though its use in the production of glue has declined, other applications have emerged

Its name derives from the Greek “kolla,” meaning “glue,” and the suffix “gen” for “producer.”

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body of mammals, found in skin, tendons, ligaments, bone and cartilage.

Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, while ligaments attach bone to bone. Cartilage is the rubber-like padding that covers and protects the ends of long bones at the joints and is also a structural component of the rib cage, ear, nose, bronchial tubes and the discs that separate vertebrae.

In a sense, collagen is the glue that holds the body together.

And when extracted, it can make real glue! The first written accounts of glue making trace back to the ancient Egyptians, who described a process by which animal hides and bones were boiled in water to yield glue that they used to make papyrus and wooden furniture.

Subsequently, Greek and Roman craftsmen used animal glue to bond floor and wall mosaics that are still intact today. But long before this, Neanderthals were aware of the glue-making process, as evidenced by the famous Lascaux cave paintings that date back some 20,000 years. Researchers have determined that the paints were mixed with animal glue to help them stick to the wall and resist being broken down by moisture.

As a glue manufacturing industry emerged in the 18th century, ranchers had a way of disposing of old animals, horses in particular, by sending them to the glue factory. Those stories about old horses being destined for the glue factory are factual.

Today, animal glues have been mostly replaced by synthetic adhesives, although some are still manufactured. Violin makers are said to prefer animal glue. There is no shortage of the animal hides and connective tissue needed because these are readily available, thanks to the large beef and pork production industries.

Although the use of collagen as a raw material to make glue has declined, other uses of this protein have emerged.

In China, the consumption of donkey skin, loaded with collagen, has a reputation for smoothing withered skin and preserving aging joints. That’s hardly compelling evidence, but such anecdotes can stimulate research. Indeed, scientists have focused attention on dietary supplements made from collagen or its derivatives with a view toward improving the appearance of the skin and possibly helping to alleviate the joint pain characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.

“Nutricosmetics” are beverages or foods that feature “hydrolyzed collagen,” made by breaking the long protein chains of collagen into shorter peptides that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

The theory is that these peptides act as a false signal of the destruction of collagen in the body and stimulate the synthesis of new collagen fibres that in turn increase skin suppleness and reduce wrinkles.

However, there is a gap between theory and clinical evidence, which is lacking. While some studies have shown an improvement in “skin elasticity” as measured with instruments, there are no studies to support the claim that consuming nutricosmetics leads to an observable improvement in skin health.

There is somewhat more evidence when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes cartilage for a foreign substance and attacks it causing inflammation, swelling and pain. A few small studies have shown that a specific form of chicken collagen administered orally over a few months can result in improvement of symptoms. The proposed explanation is that this “teaches” the immune system to tolerate collagen and prevent it from attacking cartilage.

Numerous supplement manufacturers have piggybacked on these studies and have introduced various collagen supplements with claims of efficacy in arthritis as well as other aches and pains related to collagen reduction associated with aging. Although the evidence is mostly anecdotal, there is no harm in giving such supplements a whirl.

While the use of collagen for improved skin and joint health is controversial, its conversion into gelatin is not. Collagen actually consists of three protein chains twisted together that when heated with an acid or base catalyst can be coaxed to unwind and fragment into smaller chains of polypeptides that collectively make up gelatin.

The basic attribute of gelatin is that it dissolves readily in hot water as the weak bonds that hold the polypeptide chains together are broken. As the solution cools, the chains once again bind to each other, this time trapping water molecules between them.

Presto, we have Jell- O! And no, consuming Jell- O will not make your nails or hair healthier.

Besides noting that gelatin gets digested in the gut, fingernails and hair are made of keratin, a structural protein unrelated to gelatin.

However, there is something you can do to hair with Jell- O. Dye it cool colours! Just mix the powder with hair conditioner and apply. Remember, though, to protect the skin around your hairline from being dyed with a coat of petroleum jelly.

Your funky hair will survive several washes and don’t worry, the only risk is that people may think you are, ahem, hairbrained.