Collagen is a key protein for humans. This one building block accounts for three-quarters of the dry weight of our skin and virtually holds our bodies together. It is also essential in maintaining the proper functions of internal organs. As we age, our body’s natural collagen production slows down, and many people reach for collagen supplements. While those are beneficial, collagen has a large molecular structure and therefore can only be used by the body when it is broken down into smaller amino acids. What if there was an alternative to help you produce more collagen sustainably? Plant-based collagen builders hold the answer. What Is Collagen? All animals, including humans, produce collagen from amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It is the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen is responsible for carrying nutrients, oxygen, and other important elements to different parts of the body. This multitasking protein keeps your skin smooth and younger-looking. In addition, it helps you produce hormones and reduces inflammation which prevents joint pain. Without sufficient collagen production, wounds would not heal. With aging, collagen production slows down naturally. This decline can be accelerated by several lifestyle factors, including: Overexposure to ultraviolet light Excessive consumption of sugar and processed foods Smoking Glycation - a degenerative process that produces an excess of glucose molecules in the skin which attach to collagen and elastin Emotional stress Lack of productive and restful sleep Dehydration What Is In A Collagen Supplement? Collagen supplements contain animal-based collagen extracted from meat scraps processed at rendering facilities. In case you are unfamiliar with the term, rendering plants turn slaughterhouse waste and leftovers from meat processing plants into products that can be used for other purposes. Some of the scraps used to produce collagen include hooves, bones, hides, teeth, horns, tendons, and ligaments of the animals that have been processed. When you take an animal-based collagen supplement, it is digested and broken down into its constituent parts. Only then can it be absorbed into the bloodstream. This process is difficult because collagen is formed in triple helices. This structure is what gives collagen the strength to help form muscles, tendons, and ligaments. At the same time, the triple helix structure makes it difficult to break the protein down to essential amino acids. Everything But The Squeal The term