What is Collagen and Biotin?
Biotin and collagen are both two types of 2 supplements that most individuals choose between in an attempt to strengthen their skin, hair, and nails. Biotin is vitamin B7 and collagen is a protein. Both biotin and collagen are primarily associated with healthy skin. Also, both have medical applications. The main difference between collagen and biotin is the type of compound and the function in the body.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the fibrous and most abundant protein in the body of a mammal. It is located in the extracellular space of the connective tissue. Tendons, muscles, bones and ligaments in the body contain collagen. Apart from these, collagen occurs in dentin of the teeth, gut, corneas, blood vessels and intervertebral discs. In these regions, the fibroblasts synthesize collagen.
The production of collagen declines with age. Therefore, it comes in the form of dietary supplements. Collagen converts into gelatin, when cooked. This gelatin comprises of a unique amino acid content including valine, glutamic acid, proline, glycine and glutamic acid. Dietary supplements contain hydrolysed collagen as it the easiest form of available collagen absorbed by the body. Collagen increases the thickness of hair. It also increases and tighten the elasticity of the skin.
What is Biotin?
It is a vitamin B complex. It is also termed as vitamin B7, coenzyme R and Vitamin H. It is involved in the metabolism of both fats and carbohydrates. Biotin helps in range of metabolic reactions, shifting carbon dioxide between molecules. Hence, biotin is important and critical in maintaining a steady blood sugar and in affecting cell growth.
It is present in small quantities in many foods such as milk, eggs, or bananas. Biotin is used for brittle nails, nerve damage, har loss and many other conditions.
Biotin deficiency can be caused by inheritance of one or more inborn genetic disorders that affect biotin metabolism and insufficient dietary intake. Biotin supplements helps in treating low blood levels of biotin and also prevent rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth and thinning of the hair. It also treats pregnancy problems in women, malnourishment, tingling in the arms and legs, weight loss problems and people with specific inherited conditions.
Difference between Collagen and Biotin
Description
Collagen
It is the main structural and abundant protein present in nails, bones, muscles, skin, tendons, and other connective tissues. It is widely utilized in a pure form for cosmetic surgical treatments, including the repair of body tissues It is the substance that keeps the body together. Collagen forms a scaffold to provide structure and strength.
Biotin
Biotin is the vitamin H or vitamin B7. It is important in and fatty acid metabolism and cell growth. Biotin helps in hair growth, skin health and in regulating blood sugar. Important digestive, metabolic, and cardiovascular functions would not be carried out in the body in the absence of biotin.
Significance
Collagen
Collagen is the main structural and fibrous protein in the extracellular matrix of multiple connective tissues in the body. As the main component of connective tissue, it is the most abundant protein in the body of a mammal, making twenty five percent to thirty five percent of the whole-body protein content.
Biotin
Biotin refers to a vitamin of the B complex, also known as vitamin B7 (vitamin H or coenzyme R). It is found in yeast involved in the synthesis of glucose and fatty acids egg yolk and liver.
Benefits
Collagen
- Collagen helps in reducing joint pain
- It helps in strengthening skin and hair, reduces skin wrinkles and dryness, benefits elasticity and hydration and also helps in reverse skin ageing.
- Collagen helps boost muscle mass and burns fat
- It improves digestive and gut health
- Lack of collagen makes arteries weak and fragile. It promotes heart health. It offers structure to your arteries (the blood vessels that transport blood from your heart to the rest of your body). Without enough collagen, arteries may become weak and fragile
- May reduce cellulite
- Collagen improves mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety
- Promote weight loss and a faster metabolism
Biotin
- Lowers cholesterol
- Biotin helps reducing nail splitting nails
- Improves skin health
- It is important during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- In combination with chromium, biotin may help reduce blood sugar levels in people with type II diabetes
- Biotin plays a role in:
- Gluconeogenesis
- Fatty acid synthesis
- The breakdown of amino acids
- It supports your metabolism
Solubility
Collagen
Collagen is insoluble in water. It is Scleroprotein (q.v.), being one of a family of proteins that have less to no solubility in water.
Biotin
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that the body does not store it.
Natural sources
Collagen
Hydrolysed collagen is not included in food sources.
It is formed in combination with amino acids — nutrients that can be obtained from eating foods like;
- Dark leafy green vegetables (spinach and kale)
- Grass-fed meat
- Fish and lean
- Berries
- Garlic
- Bone broth
- Egg whites
- Citrus fruits
- Tropical fruits
- Cashews
- Tomatoes
- Bell -peppers
Biotin
- Almonds
- Cauliflower (raw cauliflower comprises 17 micrograms of biotin)
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Sweet potato
- Salmon
- Yeast
- Nuts and Seeds
- Dairy (Milk, cheese, and yogurt)
- Avocadoes
Location in the body
Collagen
Collagen is located in the extracellular space of connective tissues in the bones, skin, and tendon.
Biotin
Biotin is synthesized by large bacteria in the intestines
Summary of Collagen vs. Biotin
The points of difference between Collagen and Biotin have been summarized as below: