What Is Collagen? Health Benefits, Food Sources, Supplements, Types, and More

Collagen is one of the latest buzzwords in health. It’s hard to escape a grocery store without seeing tubs of powdered collagen, or browse in a drugstore without noticing creams that claim they’ll boost collagen to keep you looking young for decades to come. But how important is collagen for your health, really?

Defining Collagen

You probably think about collagen in your skin because the word comes up whenever anyone is talking about skin aging. It’s true that this protein plays a role in the perceived youthfulness of your skin, but there’s more to it. “Collagen is a protein and is one of the main building blocks of our skin. It’s also found in our bones, tendons, and ligaments,” says Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut.