Generally, everyone wishes to have smooth and seamless skin. However, our skin usually shrinks and develops wrinkles as we age. Collagen and elastin are two components that help to maintain the body's glow. While collagen is the most common term anyone would think of when it comes to beauty, elastin is beginning to get some rightful buzz as well. Even though they are both proteins found in the body, collagen and elastin have some differences. Basically, collagen provides the skin with resilience and strength, while elastin enhances the skin's flexibility, allowing it to return to its original shape. Elastin takes about 10% of the skin, and collagen fibers comprise about 90% of the skin. Continue scrolling to learn more about elastin and the beauty benefits of elastin supplements.
Elastin: What is It?
Elastin is a crucial and stable protein in the body, offering elasticity and resilience to the core organs in our bodies. This protein occurs naturally in the extracellular matrix. Elastin is the main constituent of fibers and is thus helpful in energy storage. Additionally, it allows connective tissues to recoil thus offering more flexibility compared to collagen. In fact, elastin protein is about 1000 times more stretchy than collagen protein. Elastin is highly significant to various body tissues, including the skin, blood vessels, and lungs. Lack of elastin in these tissues would cause them to become loose and sag.
Note that it is impossible to get elastin directly from your meals since it occurs naturally.
What are The Functions of Elastin?
The primary function of elastin is to allow tissues to extend and return to their normal size. For example, your arteries bring blood in and out of the heart, transporting it to the entire body. Therefore, elastin makes these blood vessels stretchy, enabling them to carry enough blood to the heart and other body parts.
Additionally, elastin protein is crucial in breathing and lung function. During exhalation, elastin enables the respiratory apparatus to keep energy following the diaphragm's contraction. This energy is then released, creating room for the lungs to expand with air again.
Elastin Decline: What Causes it?
Elastin is one of the most durable structures in the body. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this protein is not free from degradation. Elastin degrades as we age, with studies depicting that its half-life hits around 75 years. Damaged elastin is quite difficult to heal, especially because only one gene produces elastin's building blocks. The most common factors contributing to elastin degradation include aging, excessive sun exposure, genetics, and pollution.
Advantages of Taking Elastin Supplements
Elevated Skin Elasticity
Taking elastin supplements can help your skin maintain its ability to stretch even as you grow old. Depletion of elastin in the body causes the skin and other body tissues to begin sagging following gravity effects.
Better Joint Mobility
Low elastin levels in the body cause the tendons and ligaments around the joints to lose their stretchability. Therefore, taking elastin supplements can help boost and keep the joints mobile.
Enhanced Skin Firmness
Increasing elastin in your body can help the skin maintain its firmness properties. While collagen is the main component responsible for maintaining firm skin, elastin can help boost its suppleness, resulting in a more firm and glowing skin.
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