Let's talk about collagen, that most extensive fibrous protein in our body which is found in the bones, muscles, tendons and in the skin itself, better known as "the fountain of youth" since it manifests positive connotations due to the role it plays in plays on the firmness of our skin.
Collagen has great resistance to traction, that is, to the folds that form wrinkles. Along with soft keratin (another protein) they are responsible for the strength and elasticity of the skin, which largely explains their role in reducing wrinkles and loose skin.
How does my body benefit when there is good collagen production?
The skin, hair, nails and joint structures are the main beneficiaries, since an adequate production of collagen in our body can keep them healthy, appreciably. However, given the lack of its production, supplementing diets with collagen also provides excellent effects, such as combating the degradation of skin collagen, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and making the skin appear smoother and with better elasticity.
In addition, a benefit, widely used in medicine, is its ability to correct scars and / or depressions caused by burns.
What affects our collagen production?
- Age: collagen production in humans reaches its peak at the age of 25-34 years. 1( https://parjournal.net/article/view/3863 ) After this age, the quality of collagen decreases and directly affects the structure of our skin, as well as our joints as cartilage weakens.
- Smoking: smoking slows down the production of collagen, as well as the excess consumption of sugars.
- Pregnancy: the large number of hormonal changes that a woman's body goes through during pregnancy, causes the metabolism of collagen to be altered in order to allow the skin the necessary elasticity that the fetus needs for its growth, therefore , it is normal that after this process, the quality of collagen decreases. In this case, it is essential to support its production during this period.
- Scurvy: For those unfamiliar with the area, scurvy is a condition associated with a (serious) lack of vitamin C in the body. Vitamin C is a key component to boost the natural production of collagen, therefore, the presence of this disease is key in the decrease of collagen in the skin.
What can I do to increase collagen?
Our body consists of procollagen, the precursor of collagen. Consuming foods rich in amino acids, glycine, proline and vitamin c could help build natural collagen products, some of them:
- Proline: egg whites, wheat germ, dairy, mushrooms and asparagus.
- Glycine: chicken skin, gelatin, pork skin, and bone broth.
- Vitamin C: citrus and peppers.
It also highlights the benefits of eating protein-rich foods, as they provide a robust amino acid profile for making new structural proteins.
Another highly effective method to boost collagen in general is to consume supplements that contain it as an active ingredient. The vast majority of these come in the form of hydrolyzed collagen or gelatins, which have already broken down the collagen into peptides and are smaller and better absorbed.
Facial massages are another option, albeit slower, but effective, to stimulate blood flow and increase collagen production, helping to show off more youthful skin.