Benefits of Collagen
Almost everyone wants healthy, glowing skin. Many people will even go to great lengths to maintain a youthful appearance. However, the healthiest way to achieve better skin is from the inside out. One of the most important things our bodies need for healthy skin is collagen. Here are some of the benefits of collagen and what you can do to make sure your body is producing enough.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein found in the body. They are an important structural component of connective tissues. This includes both skin and cartilage. Collagen makes up about a third of the proteins in the body. Although there are many types of proteins throughout the body, about 90% are found in the skin. The body naturally makes collagen from the protein in your diet. Not only that, but your body also needs other nutrients to help make collagen. These vital nutrients are vitamin C, zinc, and copper. Some protein-rich foods include:
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Chicken
- Beef
- Dairy
- Whole grains
- Legumes
Things that affect collagen
While we can find ways to improve the production of collagen in our bodies, many factors limit the benefits of collagen by slowing production. If you are not eating enough foods that contain proteins, fruits, and vegetables, your production of collagen is going to decrease. It is important to keep in mind that the older we get, the less collagen our body produces. A couple of other things that affect the production of collagen in our bodies are too much sun exposure and smoking. That is why people who spend a lot of time tanning or smoking tend to wrinkle earlier in life than others. To help prevent this, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen when spending time outdoors. Giving up smoking will also give your skin a better chance of maintaining it’s elasticity.
Collagen supplements
While there is little evidence to fully support them, many people also take collagen supplements. One issue with this is that the structure of collagen is broken down when made into a tablet or a powder. Another option instead is to take a supplement that contains phytoceramides. These nutrients help to produce collagen in the body. Liquid Health’s Skin Rescue + Renew contains phytoceramides along with antioxidants to help naturally improve the production of collagen and elasticity in the body.
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