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Collagen, Vitamin D3 for Heart Health?
According to research linked and excerpted below, collagen (col) benefits from vitamin D to enhance skin, bone, and hopefully, my heart.
I am a long-term cancer survivor. I developed a late stage side effect called chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy fully 15 years after I underwent the various chemotherapies that damaged my heart.
When I first flipped into chronic atrial fibrillation (afib), I was prescribed a conventional heart medicine called metoprolol. I experienced nasty side effects and decided to try to manage my heart with evidence-based non-conventional therapies.
I’ve been taking collagen as well as a dozen other supplements shown to enhance heart health for years now. I recently found the studies linked below that talk about the importance of adding vitamin D with collagen.
Why do I take collagen?
Collagen is a protein that makes up a significant portion of our skin, hair, nails, joints, and connective tissues. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of these tissues. Collagen supplementation has gained popularity in recent years, and some potential physical benefits include:
- Improved Skin Health: Collagen is a major component of the skin. As we age, collagen production naturally decreases, which can lead to wrinkles, sagging skin, and decreased elasticity. Supplementing with collagen may help improve skin hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance.
- Stronger Hair and Nails: Collagen is also a key component of hair and nails. Taking collagen supplements may help strengthen hair and nails, reducing brittleness and breakage.
- Joint Health: Collagen is an important component of the cartilage that cushions joints. Some studies suggest that collagen supplementation may help reduce joint pain and improve joint function, especially in people with conditions like osteoarthritis.
- Bone Health: Collagen provides the framework for bones. While calcium and other minerals are crucial for bone health, collagen also plays a supportive role. Some studies suggest that collagen supplements may help improve bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.
- Muscle Mass and Strength: Col contains a high concentration of the amino acid glycine, which is important for the formation of creatine, a compound that promotes muscle growth and strength. Some research suggests that col supplementation may help increase muscle mass and strength, especially when combined with resistance training.
- Gut Health: Col contains the amino acid glutamine, which is important for maintaining the health of the intestinal lining. Some people find that collagen supplementation helps with digestive issues and may support overall gut health.
- Wound Healing: Col is involved in the formation of new skin tissue during wound healing. Some studies suggest that col supplements may help speed up the healing process.
- Heart Health: Col provides structure to blood vessels. While more research is needed, some studies suggest that collagen supplementation may help improve blood vessel function and reduce the risk of heart-related conditions.
I don’t mean to come across as being anti-conventional heart therapies. As a long-term cancer survivor, I’ve learned that evidence-based non-conventional therapies can complement conventional therapies to benefit the patient.
Are you a cancer survivor? Do you have chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy? Let me know- David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com
Hang in there,
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Modeling collagen remodeling
“Col is the main load bearing protein in many soft tissues, and in cardiovascular tissues in particular. In many tissues col has a specific architecture that is crucial for the biomechanical function of the tissue. Typical examples are the hammock-shaped col architecture in heart valves and a helical pattern in arteries. One of the objectives in cardiovascular tissue engineering is the reconstitution of this architecture…”
Relationship Between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Renin, and Collagen Remodeling Biomarkers in Atrial Fibrillation
“The interplay between vitamin D, the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), and collagen remodeling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases.
This study sought to explore this relationship in atrial fibrillation (AF) by profiling plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, RAS biomarkers, and col remodeling biomarkers using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.
We hypothesized that 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels would inversely correlate with RAS biomarkers and that levels of RAS and col remodeling biomarkers would positively correlate with each other.
These data suggest that 25-hydroxyvitamin D may influence RAS activation, and renin may help mediate the col remodeling process in AF. Understanding mediators of RAS dysregulation in AF may elucidate targets for therapeutic intervention to prevent col remodeling…”
Conclusion- Renin and CITP elevations suggest that RAS and col remodeling may be involved in the pathogenesis of AF. Although our data do not suggest the idea that 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency is associated with AF, it does demonstrate that 25-hydroxyvitamin D and renin have an inverse relationship in patients with AF. Additionally, renin may be an important mediator in the col dysregulation based on its positive correlations with col remodeling biomarkers…”