What Is Collagen & How Does It Help Our Skin?
Have you wondered why collagen has gained so much attention? Everywhere you look, you see collagen listed as an ingredient, whether it’s in a cream or in a supplement. It’s as if everyone has gone collagen crazy, and for good reason.
Don’t worry. You don’t have to wonder any longer. In this post, we’re going to discuss why everyone is turning to collagen. Also, we’ll tell you what collagen is and how it helps your skin.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a common fibrous protein found in your bones, muscles, tendons, and skin. Not only does your body naturally make collagen, but it’s also found in foods we eat.
For example, the following foods contain collagen:
- Bone broth
- Chicken
- Gelatin
- Sardines
- Organ meats like liver
That’s right. The colored dessert you loved as a kid can help you increase your collagen levels as an adult. Additionally, Vitamin C aids in collagen absorption, so adding more citrus or bell peppers to your diet may be a good idea. Also, antioxidants aid in preventing collagen breakdown. Therefore, a healthy diet forms the basis for healthy collagen production.
As you can see, your body contains an abundance of collagen. In fact, collagen accounts for 1/3 of the protein in your body.
How Collagen Helps Your Skin
In your skin, collagen forms a network of cells, called fibroblasts, upon which new cells grow. Basically, it provides the underlying structure of your skin. This helps keep your skin smooth and elastic. It’s what gives your skin that youthful look. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last.
As you age, your body makes less and less collagen. On top of that, the collagen that you do have in your skin begins to break down. This causes your skin to age. Of course, we’re talking about wrinkles, and loose, sagging skin. Also, loss of collagen makes your skin dry out.
Can You Reverse the Process?
That’s the question everyone wants to know. Can collagen help restore youthful plumpness and elasticity to your skin? In other words, does increasing your intake of collagen reverse the signs of aging?
The answer is simple. Yes, increasing your collagen intake has been shown to reduce the signs of aging in your skin.
Studies have shown that increasing your collagen intake:
- reduces wrinkles
- Increases skin elasticity
- increases skin hydration
- reduces damage from UV-B rays
Also, collagen has been demonstrated to reduce age spots. These results hold true whether through a topical cream or taken orally as a supplement. Either way, collagen has been proven to decrease the appearance of aging in the skin.
How Do I Increase My Collagen Intake?
How you choose to increase your collagen is a matter of choice. Some people add collagen supplements to their coffee or a smoothie. Others drink bone broth. Finally, some use skin creams.
As for quantity, researchers suggest 2.5-15 grams per day. Studies have shown that this range safely produces the desired effects.
A Natural Solution for Reducing the Signs of Aging
As you can see, that’s the reason why collagen has received so much attention from the beauty world. Collagen provides a natural, safe solution to reducing the signs of aging. By restoring the collagen, you improve the health of your skin, which improves the appearance of your skin.
In the fight to reduce the signs of aging, who knew that a solution would come from something found naturally in your body?
