Collagen

The most abundant structural protein in the human body, comprising approximately 30% of total body protein. Found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Characterised by a repeating Gly-X-Y tripeptide sequence (where glycine is at every third position, and X and Y are frequently proline and hydroxyproline). Several collagen types exist; Type I collagen predominates in skin and bone and is the primary type in fish collagen peptides (Section 22). Oral collagen supplementation (as hydrolysed peptides) is associated with improved skin elasticity and joint comfort in controlled trials; the precise mechanism of delivery to target tissues remains an area of ongoing research.