Ways to Boost Collagen Production
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most common protein found in the body, present in tendons, fats, ligaments, tissues of muscles, bones, blood vessels, and the digestive system. It helps the pieces of our bodies fit together, and is crucial to the strength of our bone structure. When collagen levels are healthy, cells that contain collagen take on a strong and youthful appearance. However, we are all human, and as we begin to age, our bodies start to produce less and less collagen, which can result in a number of the telltale signs of aging. Keep reading for more information on how to boost your body’s collagen production, and for a selection of the best collagen supplements on the market, shop Heivy now.
What Damages Collagen?
Now that we know what collagen is, let’s take a look at what can damage it. Some of these things are easily changed with lifestyle choices, but others are simply out of our control.
- Lifestyle and Environmental Stressors - Pollution and free radicals can diminish collagen production, reducing skin elasticity.
- High Sugar Consumption - It’s been shown that sugar increases the rate of advanced glycation end products (AEGs) that damage nearby proteins, weakening collagen production.
- Sun Exposure - UV rays damage collagen found in the dermis — the layer of the skin that lies beneath the epidermis and above the subcutaneous layer — causing it to break down, and create abnormal elastin fibers that rebuild incorrectly, forming wrinkles.
- Smoking - The combination of chemicals in tobacco smoke damages collagen and elastin. Nicotine also restricts the blood vessels compromising the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
- Natural Aging Process - Collagen levels decrease and deplete naturally throughout our lifespan.
Making Collagen Naturally
When your body makes collagen, it combines amino acids — nutrients you get from each protein-rich foods, like beef, chicken, fish, beans, eggs, and fairy products. The process also requires vitamin C, zinc, and copper. You can get vitamin C by eating citrus fruits, red and green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, and greens. You can get the minerals by eating meats, shellfish, nuts, whole grains, and beans. To make sure your body has enough ingredients to make collagen, you may need to change what you eat or take dietary supplements. Heivy creates excellent collagen supplements that are geared towards producing long-lasting health and beauty benefits. Shop our collagen supplements now.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel has long been used for healing and soothing wounds. The reason it works to treat cuts and burns is because the aloe vera plant increases collagen production when applied topically or even taken orally. The cell-growth stimulating property it contains can help boost collagen production in your skin.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that help to protect the body from free radicals, which are molecules that can damage the body. Not all antioxidants will boost collagen production, but they will help the collagen that is present to do the best job it can. There are many different types of antioxidants that can protect and rejuvenate the skin in various ways. Antioxidants can be found abundantly in nature and food, but foods and drinks that contain high levels of antioxidants include:
- Blueberries
- Green tea
- Yerba mate
- Licorice extract
- Mulberry extract
- Cinnamon
- Basil
- Oregano
Eating Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is critical for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid has been known for speeding up recovery time and relieving painful joints. Without adequate levels of vitamin C, your body will not gain the full benefit of foods containing hyaluronic acid. One study suggests that hyaluronic acid can help boost collagen production in the human body. It is naturally found in the body, but it decreases as we age. Eating foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can increase the levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body. Foods like oranges, red peppers, kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries are all rich in vitamin C.
Ginseng
Ginseng is known for its anti-aging effects, as it has been found to promote the growth of collagen and preserve the skin against UV ray damage from the sun. The antioxidants that are released into your bloodstream when you take a ginseng supplement or drink tea that contains ginseng can protect healthy cells that contribute to glowing skin.
Healthy skin is usually a good indicator of how your body is feeling, and you can help your body look and feel its best by feeding it right and taking care of it. While there is no way to completely reverse the signs of aging, it is much easier to protect your skin and fuel your body while it’s healthy than to try to attempt to repair it later in life. Boosting collagen naturally improves our appearance also improves the rest of our health. Shop our collection of collagen supplements now and begin transforming your life!