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Nutrients to Make Collagen and Elastin

Dec 12, 2010 | By Rhiannon Clouse
Nutrients to Make Collagen and Elastin
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Collagen and elastin are connective tissue proteins found in many places in the body. Collagen is a durable protein found in skin, teeth, tendons, ligaments and bones while elastin gives tissues elasticity and is found in the skin, lungs, ligaments and blood vessels. The synthesis of collagen and elastin depends on several enzymes that require certain vitamins to function properly.

Vitamin C and Iron

Vitamin C and iron are required for collagen synthesis. Iron serves as a co-factor in the biochemical reactions that lead to the production of collagen, while vitamin C acts to protect iron's positive electric charge during the enzymatic conversion of amino acids to form the collagen protein. The disease known as scurvy is caused by a deficiency in vitamin C that impairs the synthesis of collagen. This results in impaired healing of wounds, hemorrhaging, muscle degeneration and skin changes.

Niacin

Niacin, sometimes called vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin found in dairy, meat, eggs and fortified foods. A study published by the American Academy of Dermatology found that niacin may be helpful in the prevention of skin wrinkling caused by exposure to the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. The results of the study found that niacin supplementation to cells grown in test tube cultures showed a significant increase in collagen production as opposed to control cells.

Copper

Copper serves in the formation of collagen and elastin by means of a enzyme called amine oxidase. This enzyme catalyzes the biochemical reactions that help to build the strong chemical structures characteristic of the collagen and elastin proteins. Dietary copper is found in seafood, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: Dec 12, 2010

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