Importance of collagen and cartilage?

Collagen plays a crucial role in the human body, especially in maintaining the health of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, gums, and muscles. Dr. Rhonda Patrick explains that collagen is composed significantly of proline and glycine, amino acids that are not abundantly available in most dietary proteins. Proline is particularly important in wound healing, as levels of proline increase at the wound site during the first ten days post-injury, indicating its vital role in this process. Additionally, proline can be metabolized by mitochondria to produce energy, especially under conditions where glucose levels are low 1.

Furthermore, collagen's importance extends to joint health. Rhonda highlights a study using an animal model where hydrolyzed collagen powder supplemented in the diet was found to be integrated into the cartilage. This suggests that dietary collagen can directly contribute to cartilage health, which is essential for joint functionality and mobility 2.