What is the impact of collagen for skin? Collagen is often called a magical superfood that is not just effective in keeping aging at bay, but also works wonders with regard to ensuring skin elasticity. Here is a brief guide to helping you understand more about collagen and the vital role it plays for ensuring good skin health.
Brief Understanding of Collagen
Before delving deeper into the advantages of collagen for skin, you should first know more about what it actually is. Collagen is the protein that is most abundantly found in our skin, contributing to the development of 70% of the same. It is also found throughout the bones, muscles, ligaments, skin, tendons, and other fibrous tissues in the body. Collagen helps in the formation of a fiber network known as fibroblasts in the middle skin layer or dermis, which ensures connective tissue regeneration and new cell growth. With the passage of time, external factors and aging lead to a break-down of collagen and this leads to crow’s feet, saggy skin, and wrinkles. Studies indicate that people lose almost 50% of collagen by the time they turn 60 years of age.
It is also known as the scaffolding or glue of our bodies, indicating the manner in which it holds everything in place. The natural protein is what ensures the plump and smooth elasticity of the skin including the glow that we attribute to youth in the early years. Enhancing production of this magic element with suitable collagen peptides or collagen supplements can help with enhancing skin health greatly while also boosting overall muscle mass, bone health, joint health and hair and nail health.
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How Does Collagen Work?
Collagen comprises 70-80% of the skin’s dry weight. Ensuring elasticity and strength, it encourages cell renewal throughout the dermis thereby ensuring a radiant and fresh glow according to experts. However, human beings keep losing at least 1% of collagen supply from the age of 20 onwards. This leads to aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines.
Types of Collagen
This is one question that you may be asking before investing in collagen peptides or other collagen supplements. There are various types of collagen that you should know about, including grass-fed collagen, vegan collagen, and marine collagen. The latter is derived from fish, particularly the discarded parts like the skin and scales. This is the readily available bio-available collagen and is easily used once it enters the body. Grass-fed collagen or bovine collagen is derived from cattle. Vegan collagen does not directly promote a collagen source for the body, but rather has ingredients for stimulating the production of the same.
What Elements Kill Collagen?
There are several harmful elements that contribute to the destruction of collagen. These include prolonged exposure to sunlight and also smoking. Other such factors include consumption of an unhealthy diet and also mental stress. Sleeping with make-up is another factor that leads to the elimination of collagen.
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How to Improve Collagen Production
While you will not have full control over the depletion of collagen for skin, you can still take a few steps to boost its production. These include the following:
- Protein-rich Diet – You should ideally consume foods which are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, copper, zinc, and amino acids. These include lysine, glycine, and proline, which boost collagen formation naturally. Items which are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory by nature, such as turmeric, also help safeguard the body against oxidative stress and inflammation which may otherwise hinder the production of collagen.
- SPF Usage – Using SPF on a daily basis is a great way to enhance skin health. UV rays increase collagen breakdown and free radical formation that otherwise leads to rapid aging. High-quality SPF that has UVA and UVB filters will help secure your reserves of collagen.
- Collagen Supplements – Using collagen supplements is a great way to boost collagen production and also attain other benefits like glowing and healthy skin. You will find supplements that are tailored to your specific needs and requirements.
These are some of the best ways to enhance your collagen reserves and also maintain healthy and glowing skin.
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