Collagen intake to heal arteries and offset cholesterol?

I have recently learned that I likely have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It has me quite worried, particularly without health insurance, however I have started looking into some things and it seems as though one can rebuild arterial walls by raising the consumption of collagen.

After doing some research, it appears that our diets are seriously deficient (in western cuisine) of collagen sources. As I understand it, cholesterol is constantly being used by our bodies to patch the holes in our arteries due to this inadequate level of collagen and elastin.

I wanted to insert an interesting anecdote. I know someone who has incredibly high LDL cholesterol levels. This person is nearly 70 and has had these levels for over 15 years. The doctors seem to be somewhat baffled by it as they have tried to talk this person into taking anti cholesterol drugs and so forth. They've never had any heart problems even with these very elevated levels. From what the doctors told them, they should have already had major arterial blockages and severe problems. Upon doing some research I realized that this person eats a LOT of "Jello." They've eaten it their entire lives quite consistently. I now realize that this is why they look unbelievably young for their age as well...

BUT, after thinking more on this, I also started to think that perhaps this relatively large intake of collagen (compared to normal diets) could be what is preventing cardiovascular disease.

I've not found any direct statements on this so far, but are there any studies or even anecdotal evidence that collagen consumption (any form such as jello or bone broth, etc.) will offset cholesterol levels and yield healthy arteries?

Personally I have never liked jello. Likewise, doing a small survey, I found that everyone I know who has heart disease or cardiovascular disease does not like or consume jello or any kind of additional collagen source.

What are your thoughts? Could this be a holy grail of cardiovascular health? Obviously one should have a lot of other variables to produce your own collagen, BUT is it really possible to consume collagen and therefore ameliorate or seriously reduce these risks? Tweet