I receive a lot of questions son collagen, so let’s understand college better today.
Collagen is an essential protein found naturally in the human body. It is found in our skin, bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It is responsible for keeping the skin elastic, replacing dead skin cells, as well as making your hair and nails shiny and strong.
How Does Collagen Play a Role in Aging?
The collagen in your body is produced naturally by cells in your skin, but it will begin to decline as you age. This is not always preventable, but by healthy lifestyle choices and supplementing the loss with outside sources of collagen, you are able to help reduce wrinkles and slow down the signs of aging.
Can Collagen Production Be Increased as We Age?
There are two main ways you can try to combat collagen loss; by consuming collagen-boosting foods and supplements or topical creams. Targeting the problem from the inside has been proven to be most effective and something I believe in personally.
Natural “collagen boosters” have the ability to encourage the cells in your body to make more collagen. These plant-based foods contain the building blocks for collagen such as amino acids and Vitamin C. A few of these collagen boosters include blueberries, dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), garlic, eggs, mango, carrots, and white tea. Vitamin C is also necessary to enhance collagen production. You can take vitamin c supplements or consume foods rich in vitamin c, such as broccoli and citrus fruit.
I am not a big believer in collagen supplements personally, but if you want to try, there are many available in drugstores near you, which are mainly derived from animal products.
They can also be found in these three main forms
Hydrolyzed collagen. This form, also known as collagen hydrolysate or collagen peptides, is broken down into smaller protein fragments called amino acids.
Gelatin. The collagen in gelatin is only partially broken down into amino acids.
Raw. In raw — or undenatured — forms, the collagen protein remains intact.
Of these, some research shows that your body may absorb hydrolyzed collagen most efficiently.
That said, all forms of collagen are broken down into amino acids during digestion and then absorbed and used to build collagen or other proteins your body needs.
In fact, you don’t need to take collagen supplements to produce collagen, your body does this naturally using amino acids from whichever proteins you eat.
Yet, some studies suggest that taking collagen supplements may enhance its production and offer unique benefits. I am yet experimenting.
MICRONUTRIENTS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT MAY SUPPORT COLLAGEN FORMATION INCLUDE
Anthocyanins – found in blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries.
Proline – found in egg whites, cheese, soy, cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms.
Vitamin A – is found in plants like beta-carotene and animal-derived foods.
Red light laser therapy – can stimulate and increase the growth of collagen in the skin. It’s a low-level or (LLLT) laser that is non-invasive, safe, and can improve skin elasticity and wrinkles.
A regular exercise regime – can help reduce visible aging while protecting collagen and keeping your skin, bones, muscles, and joints healthier for longer.
My favorite and highly recommended
ALGAE
Marine plant ingredients are becoming more and more popular as part of beauty routines. This is because most skin damage is caused by “oxidation” the exposure of your skin to elements like pollution, which can damage cell growth. Algae is able to prevent oxidation from zapping your skin of its elasticity and collagen. Algae is available in most health food stores in the form of oral supplements. I have been taking algae supplements for the last few months and I do see a tad bit of improvement in my skin quality.
So honestly, as I always say, everyone is different and we need to find what works for us, don’t go by what is working for someone else. Overall healthy and clean lifestyle choices, regular movements, more anti-oxidant foods, more greens, stress management skills, less of all that disrupt collagen should be a good start and a great foundation.
And some home care of course, so enjoy my two DIY collagen boosting.
What do you do to boost collagen? Comment below.
Love and Health
Uma
