Introduction
If you're starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging, then you might be curious about how to slow down the process. Luckily, there are many natural ways to maintain a youthful appearance. One of them is to add collagen supplements to your daily regime. Collagen is one of the building blocks that make up our skin, bones and joints so it's vital for maintaining optimal health throughout life.!
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein that is essential for healthy skin, bones, joints and other tissues. It's found in the body’s connective tissues where it helps provide structure and strength. Collagen molecules are made up of amino acids – the building blocks of proteins.
The most abundant protein in the body, collagen makes up about 30% of our total body weight and it’s what keeps you looking young.
What does collagen do for the body?
As we age, collagen production decreases and skin begins to sag and lose its elasticity— stressors like UV exposure and smoking can also accelerate this process.
Collagen helps keep your skin smooth and elastic because it gives it structure; think of it as the glue that holds together all the layers of your epidermis.* Substances like vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production from within but nothing can replace natural levels of this essential protein.*
What signs and symptoms could indicate a collagen deficiency?
A lack of collagen can cause a number of symptoms, including:
Wrinkles. As you age, your skin becomes thinner and less elastic, which leads to wrinkles and sagging. This is because the collagen in our bodies breaks down over time.
Thinner hair and nails. Hair loss is a sign that your body isn't producing enough nutrients for proper growth; it's the same with nails—one sign they're not getting enough nutrients is if they grow slowly or stop growing altogether.
Poor wound healing. If your wounds aren't healing properly (or not at all), this could be due to a lack of collagen in your system—collagen helps repair damaged tissue when injured, so without it, you might find yourself stuck with scars instead!
What are the natural sources of collagen?
Collagen is found in the skin, bones, tendons, muscles and ligaments. It's also present in hair and nails. Collagen is a protein that forms connective tissue and is a major component of skin.
The main source of collagen to prevent aging are foods such as gelatin (found in bone broth), raw milk cheese made from grass-fed cows, beef liver with no hormones or antibiotics added; pastured egg yolks with vitamin A (which helps keep your skin smooth), wild
fish like salmon or sardines that are high in omega 3 fatty acids which protect against sun damage and other forms of cellular damage caused by free radicals. There is just one problem - Collagen can’t be absorbed by your body in its whole form. So eating collagen-rich foods doesn’t directly result in higher collagen levels in your body.
Still, all is not lost - many foods that provide the raw ingredients that support collagen production can be eaten as part of a healthy diet.
How does stress affect collagen production?
Stress is known to cause the body to produce cortisol, a hormone that can break down collagen. Cortisol also causes inflammation, which interrupts the production of sleep hormones. These factors can contribute to the breakdown of skin elasticity and collagen production in older adults, resulting in more wrinkles and fine lines on your face as you get older.
To combat this issue, try meditating for 15 minutes each day or practicing yoga. Taking a walk outside may also be beneficial because it will help reduce stress levels by allowing fresh air into your lungs and keeping you active!
Which substances can help replace lost collagen in the skin?
Collagen supplements
Vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, copper, zinc and selenium
Antioxidants such as glutathione, alpha lipoic acid (ALA), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), green tea catechins.
These are just some of the substances that can help replace lost collagen in the skin.
How does supplementing hydrolyzed collagen benefit my body?
Hydrolyzed collagen is easier to digest than other types of collagen, and it's absorbed by the body more quickly. This means that it can be used more effectively in your body.
For example, with hydrolyzed collagen you'll likely notice improvements in your skin health and joint pain within a few months' time. You may also notice that your hair, nails and bones are stronger and healthier due to the improved absorption of hydrolyzed collagen into those parts of the body.
Taking the right supplements can help you stay young for longer.
Collagen supplements can help you stay young for longer.
Taking a collagen supplement on the daily is an easy way to improve your overall health, from skin and hair to nails.
Collagen supplements are safe and effective.
The best time to take collagen supplements is in the morning before breakfast or at night before bedtime.
Conclusion
Remember, our bodies are always working to repair and maintain themselves. As we age, our ability to produce new collagen decreases which can lead to wrinkles and other signs of aging. So, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is key when it comes to keeping your body young. By taking the right supplements (especially hydrolyzed collagen), you can help increase the production of this vital protein so that it stays strong even into old age!
Definitely worth a try!