Difference Between Collagen and Biotin


Collagen and biotin are two essential substances for maintaining a healthy body. Both collagen and biotin play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints. However, there are many differences between the two substances, including their functions, sources, and benefits.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a type of protein that makes up about one-third of the total protein in the human body. It is the primary component of connective tissues such as skin, tendons, cartilage, and bones. Collagen is responsible for giving skin its elasticity and strength and for maintaining the structure of bones and joints. As we age, the production of collagen decreases, leading to the signs of aging such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and brittle bones.

Among its functions in the body include providing optimum bone and joint health, improved heart health, maintaining a healthy gut and weight, supporting connective tissues, muscles, and the skin.

It is located most densely in connective tissue (ligaments, skin, joints, tendons,), although it is present in muscle as well. Collagen makes up (by dry weight) −

  • 90 percent of the sclera (the white part of your eye)

  • 80 percent of tendons

  • 70-80 percent of the skin

  • 60 percent of cartilage

  • 30 percent of bones

  • 1–10 percent of muscle mass

What is Biotin?

Biotin is a B-vitamin that plays a crucial role in cell growth and metabolism. It is found in many foods, including eggs, nuts, and fish, and can also be taken as a supplement. Biotin is important for maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails, as it helps to strengthen and nourish these tissues. Biotin is also essential for maintaining healthy metabolism, as it helps the body convert food into energy.

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.

Differences: Collagen and Biotin

One of the key differences between collagen and biotin is their source. Collagen is a protein that is produced by the body, while biotin is a vitamin that is found in food. This means that while collagen can be produced naturally by the body, biotin must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

Another difference between collagen and biotin is their benefits. Collagen is primarily responsible for maintaining the structure and elasticity of the body's connective tissues, while biotin is important for cell growth and metabolism. However, both substances are important for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.

The following table highlights the major differences between Collagen and Biotin −

Characteristics

Collagen

Biotin

Description

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 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 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 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 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

  • 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 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 is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that the body does not store it.

Natural sources

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

  • 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 is located in the extracellular space of connective tissues in the bones, skin, and tendon.

Biotin is synthesized by large bacteria in the intestines.

Conclusion

In summary, collagen and biotin are two essential substances for maintaining a healthy body. Collagen is a protein that is responsible for providing structural support and elasticity to the body's connective tissues, while biotin is a B-vitamin that is important for cell growth and metabolism.

Both collagen and biotin are important for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails, but they differ in their sources and benefits. Understanding the differences between collagen and biotin can help individuals make informed decisions about their health and wellness.

Updated on: 30-Mar-2023

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