Collagen - Factors that Enhance

These Substances may Enhance the Function/Formation of Collagen

Amino Acids

 Arginine may enhance the function of Collagen and may stimulate the production of Collagen.  ^[1]

 Glycine is an essential component of Collagen - Glycine comprises 33% of Collagen.

 Hydroxylysine (form of endogenous Lysine) is an essential component of Collagen.  ^[2]

 Hydroxyproline (a form of endogenous Proline) is an essential component of Collagen.  ^[3]

 Proline (after its conversion to Hydoxyproline) facilitates the production of Collagen (Hydroxyproline is an essential constituent of Collagen).  ^[4]

 Phenylalanine is involved in the formation of Collagen. 

 Taurine may inhibit the ability of Fructose to initiate the Cross-Linking of Collagen.  ^[5]

 Threonine is involved in the production of Collagen. 

Carbohydrates

 Beta-Glucans may stimulate the production of Collagen by Fibroblasts.  ^[6]

 Hyaluronic Acid (injected into the Skin as a dermal filler) may stimulate the production of Collagen by Fibroblasts.  ^[7]

 Xylitol may increase the production of Collagen in the Skin.  ^[8]

Cosmeceuticals (Topical Skin Improvers)

 Isotretinoin may increase the Collagen content of the Skin.  ^[9]

 MPF-1 (applied topically) is claimed to increase the production of Collagen by the Skin’s Fibroblasts (by five-fold). 

 Retin-A (applied topically) penetrates through to the Dermis where it may stimulate the production of new Collagen and may protect existing Collagen from destruction:  ^[10]

 Retin-A (applied topically) may inhibit Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (a Protein that activates Collagenase to destroy Collagen in the Skin).

 Retinal (applied topically) may prevent UV-A from inhibiting the production of Collagen in the Skin.  ^[11]

 Retinol (applied topically) may stimulate the production of Collagen in the Skin.  ^[12]

Enzymes

 Lysyl Oxidase catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of Collagen (it catalyzes the (desirable) Cross-Linking of one Collagen molecule to another which provides tissue strength).  ^[13]

 Proteolytic Enzymes - Dietary (either applied topically or ingested) may slowly dissolve old, cross-linked Collagen and may allow new young Collagen to form: 

 Matrix Metalloproteinases break down and digest damaged Collagen in the Extracellular Matrix of the Skin:

 Collagenase breaks down and digests damaged Collagen in the Extracellular Matrix of the Skin.

Growth Factors

 Skin Respiratory Factor (SRF) may facilitate the production of Collagen (by attracting Oxygen to Fibroblasts). 

Hormones

 DHEA (applied topically) may facilitate the production of Collagen in the Skin and may inhibit the degradation of the Skin’s Collagen content.  ^[14]

 Estrogens (specifically topically applied Estradiol and Estriol) may stimulate the production of Type III Collagen in the Skin and may increases the number of Collagen Fibers in the Skin:  ^[15]

 Estriol (applied topically) may increase the thickness of Collagen fibrils in the Skin.  ^[16]

 Human Growth Hormone (hGH) replacement therapy may increase the Collagen content of Bones.  ^[17]

Immune System Chemicals

 Cytokines secreted by Macrophages during the healing of Wounds may stimulate Fibroblasts to increase the synthesis of Collagen.

Lipids

 Asiaticoside may stimulate the synthesis of (Type I) Collagen by Fibroblasts.  ^[18]

Minerals

 Copper is essential for the formation of Collagen (due to Copper’s role as an essential component of Lysyl Oxidase, the enzyme that catalyzes the final step in the production of Collagen).  ^[19]