What Is Collagen? What Does It Do to Your Skin? And How to Increase Collagen Levels? 

Introduction:

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is as diverse as it is multifunctional. It is found throughout the body in a variety of forms and functions making up 30 percent of your body tissue and 70 % of your skin collagen is the protein in connective tissue that is in bone marrow, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and linings of your body organs. Collagen Levels

It is often referred to as the glue of the body:

Hydrolyzed collagen means the protein has been broken down into individual amino acids which are easier for the body to absorb. Collagen serves to help repair tissue and also functions in various roles throughout the body.

Collagen is a protein substance found in Collagen creams:

This protein substance is most available on your nails, hair, and skin. To augment the loss of collagen on your skin, collagen creams are available in the market which helps in keeping the moisture of your skin and prevent water loss. However, in order to actually know what collagen does for your skin, it is important for you to understand as well what it does to your skin and what it is made up of.

Our skin is made up of multi-layers and the innermost layer is called the dermis which is composed of the blood vessels, cells, nerves, and hair follicles. It is also primarily made up of collagen which is a kind of protein. This serves as the framework of the skin and the fibers as well as where the cells and blood vessels lie. Having collagen in this layer maintains the body temperature and protects your inner organs. It is of good elasticity and can adapt well to the environment.

Having wrinkles, sagging skin and other signs of aging is due to the lack of collagen cells as it also loses its elasticity.

Since the composition of collagen is quite large to get into the dermis layer of the skin and to be absorbed by the body, it does not replenish or strengthen the collagen structure of your skin. It merely stays on the surface of your skin and gets washed away when you take a bath. It has been said that it makes wrinkles disappear, but this notion has not yet been proven by collagen creams and other skin firming lotions.

Collagen has a consistency that changes with heat and before being bottled into different products, has to go through chemical processes and high temperature These processes disentangles the helix structure of collagen making it unusable to humans if ever it gets into the inner layer of the skin. Collagen Levels

What Does Collagen Do?

Collagen has numerous structural properties but also plays a vital role in the repair of almost all the body’s tissues. Some diseases are directly linked to lacking this essential protein. Depending on which part of the body it is located, collagen serves different purposes. Collagen Levels 

In skin:

Found in the inner layer, this connective tissue gives the skin its structure and strength and also functions in the replacement of dead skin cells. A lack of collagen in the skin can contribute to a decrease in skin health leading to stretch marks, dark spots, and infections as well as affecting the skin’s ability to maintain moisture.

In internal organs and blood vessels:

In the lining of your organs like in the stomach, kidneys, blood vessels, and spleen, collagen functions as a protective covering and a fibrous barrier. Specifically, within these areas, collagen plays vital roles:

A. It helps heal the lining of your stomach and digestive tract and promotes more healing.

• The stomach has layers of tissues including several layers of connective tissue made of collagen, fibers, and fibroblast cells that produce more collagen and fibers.
• When the layers are damaged, ingested particles can pass through into the bloodstream causing a “leaky gut.” When collagen is digested, it is attracted to these fibroblast cells and may help stimulate them to produce more collagen.
• Since collagen is the building block of this connective tissue, supplementing with collagen may help heal and even encourage fibroblasts to rebuild the damaged parts of the connective tissue in your stomach and digestive tract lining.

 

B. It aids in digestion:

The amino acids in the collagen increase production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach. This has several positive implications.

• It can help prevent further damage: HCI breaks down proteins. Without sufficient hydrochloric acid, undigested proteins can cause allergic reactions which lead to the inflammatory immune system response that comes with a leaky gut and further damage the lining of the stomach.
• It kills off pathogens: HCl kills many organisms that can come from tainted, rotten, or undercooked food.
• It helps your body to absorb minerals: HCl helps ionize minerals which makes it easier for your body to absorb.
• Also, it can help prevent heartburn: collagen itself naturally binds to water so it helps move your food through the digestive system. This can help prevent heartburn.

 

In bones:

Collagen helps reinforce the structure of bone minerals so a lack of collagen causes bones to become more porous thus weakening them.

• Cartilage-This connective tissue found in the nose, ears, knees, larynx, joints, and trachea consists of collagen for flexibility, movement, and support. 67% of cartilage is made up of collagen.
• Tendons– Collagen makes up more than 95% of the weight of tendons. In the tendons, collagen provides flexibility and strength in supporting the movement around bone joints.
• Ligaments- Ligaments connect bones at joints and provide stability preventing hyperflexion or hyperextension. Collagen Levels
  • Ligaments are made up of over 80% collagen, so a deficiency in collagen in this area can lead to serious injury.
  • Problems with Collagen in the cartilage, tendon, and ligaments can also cause slower healing and even lead to injuries as well as allowing more friction between bones causing further damage.

 

 

What Causes a Deficiency in Collagen?

Everyone dream of having perfect skin with a perfect body. That is if you start showing the signs of aging even at an early age. Frequent exposure to sunlight and free radicals are the major causes of fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin gets dry, sagging, and dull.

The basic causes of all of these damages are the depletion of collagen in your body. These are the fibrous protein that binds and connects body tissues such as skin, bone tendons, the muscles, and the cartilages. It even gives support to the internal organs.

Together with keratin and elastin, collagen provides flexibility, resilience, and strength to the skin. However, as a personage, collagen decreases thereby causing wrinkles and fine lines. Without collagen, the body would literally fall apart. It is therefore important to find ways on how to stimulate the production of collagen in order to repair and restore the damaged skin cells and the body tissues as well.

Here are the basic causes:

 

Harmful Things That Speed Up Your Skin’s Aging Process, And damage collagen in your body:

Since your body naturally begins to lose collagen synthesis as you age, it is essential to avoid foods and environments that may damage the collagen you have left. Some of the most common things that damage your collagen include refined sugars, smoking, and prolonged exposure to UV sunlight.

I. Refined Sugar:

When sugars are refined, they are not paired with fiber-like they are in natural foods such as fruit. This can also include refined carbohydrates because your body processes them in the same way. When these sugars are turned into glucose and fructose, you produce insulin. During this process, collagen molecules are susceptible to cross-linking, which makes them incapable of repairing themselves.

The glucose and fructose in refined sugary foods link amino acids that make up a collagen molecule with elastin. This process may cause an acceleration of lost elasticity in body tissues when sugar is elevated, or your skin is exposed to UV light.

II. Smoking:

Also, Smoking directly impacts your natural collagen production. Smoking has been shown to not only damage collagen synthesis rates but destroy collagen altogether. The more you smoke, the more damage to your collagen production you are likely to experience. You may also experience collagen damage if you are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke.

If you are exposed to one or more of these three common factors that contribute to a loss of collagen production, you may be more susceptible to collagen deficiency.

III. Fad Diets:

Fad diets will not give you the nutrients that your body needs. You need to get complete nutrition, most especially Vitamins A, C, and E, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are necessary for the internal functions of your dermis.

IV. Too much sun exposure:

It has already been established the midday UV rays are harmful to your skin. These rays can easily stress out the dermis, trigger abnormal melanin production, increase harmful free radicals attack and weaken dermis tissues.

Many people apply sunblock when they are going outdoors but are you also applying sun protection when you are in the comforts of your home? UVA rays can actually penetrate windows; therefore, you are still vulnerable to their damaging effects. Do apply sun protection even when you are at home.

V.  Exposure to Smoke and Pollution:

You might be a non-smoker but if you are frequently exposed to people who are smoking or you are exposed to pollution, skin still ages considerably. Make sure you stay away from these pollutants to prolong young-looking skin.

Collagen Deficiency Symptoms:

Signs Your Collagen Levels Are Dropping:

When your levels start to drop, you will notice the signs fairly rapidly. These include:

1. Wrinkles: 

Collagen is the structural tissue that holds your cells together, so when there isn’t enough of it in the body, the skin begins to loosen and sag. This creates wrinkles, but you will also notice that your tissues have lost some flexibility. You will also lose elasticity, as the structure is essential for elastin.

2. Fatigue: 

You may feel weaker as your muscles lose structure. While this does not occur until most people are in their senior years, it is possible for premature aging to cause this. Along with the tiredness comes a drop in energy levels. Collagen Levels

3. Aches and pains: 

Your joints depend on protein to keep them functioning correctly. Without this essential part of the body, you will notice more and more aches in your joints and muscles. In some cases, the pain may be a symptom of connective tissue disease.

4. Scarring: 

When the slightest scrape leaves a scar, you may have a deficiency. Usually, your body repairs itself well enough that only major injuries remain visible. However, as you get older, scarring becomes more noticeable.

5. Stretch marks:

While some stretch marks are normal if you gain a lot of weight suddenly, you will notice them more with each year passing, due to lower levels of structural protein. This is why older women tend to get more stretch marks in pregnancy, though any type of weight gain can cause it.

How to Boost Your Collagen Levels:

There are many ways to keep your skin looking and feeling young and one of them is by using Collagen Cream. It is important though, to know the ingredients of the products that you apply to your face.

While there are a number of products on the market designed to give you more elasticity in your skin, not all of them work. The new drinks that claim to contain large amounts of this essential protein rarely do anything, since they are used by the body as energy.

• It is far better to use a topical product that will infuse collagen directly into the tissues.
• Creams and lotions can work well because they deposit the protein directly where it is needed most.
• Look for a collagen serum that has good reviews and has been formulated to deliver the active ingredients in the most efficient manner possible.
• This can be massaged into the skin in small circles to improve flexibility and elasticity.

 

Here’s Natural Ways To Boost Collagen For Firmer, Younger Looking Skin:

Boosting collagen is one of the key steps in making your dermis firmer and more elastic. The lack of collagen in the skin leads to the loss of skin structure. Collagen acts as a binder to dermis tissues. This is what holds tissues together.

Although there are a lot of cosmetic invasive treatments that can augment missing collagen in the dermis, you can try natural ways of doing so. Here are 7 ways to do that:

1. Get complete hours of sleep:

There is a reason why sleep is often regarded as an anti-aging treatment. When we sleep, our body undergoes a regenerative process that corrects damaged skin tissues and cells. When we sleep, our brain produces several kinds of growth hormones. Growth hormones work in improving the production of collagen. They also facilitate the renewal of damaged cells and tissues. You have to get 8 hours of sleep every night in order to continuously boost collagen.

2. Eat protein-rich foods:

Protein is the base form of functional keratin. The body converts regular proteins into functional ones. Keratin spearheads the production of this skin component. Make sure you have a healthy supply of proteins. Take this nutrient from healthier sources such as white meat, nuts, and legumes.

COLLAGEN-RICH FOODS INCLUDE:

3. Take copper supplements:

Copper is the third most abundant trace mineral found in our body. It is greatly needed by our system because it creates copper peptides. These peptides are essential for the abundant growth of collagen and elastin. You can also get copper from natural food sources such as green leafy vegetables.

4. Increase your intake of Vitamin C:

• This vitamin is essential for more reliable functions of the integumentary system.
• It helps ensure the relentless production of collagen in the body.
• This also lessens damages to skin cells and tissues because of its antioxidative properties and its ability to counteract the negative effects of the sun.

Foods high in vitamin C include:

• Vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, potatoes, and cauliflower.
• Fruits such as guava, strawberries, papaya, pineapple, and kiwi fruit.
• Red And green peppers.
• Tomato juice, lemon juice, and orange juice.

5. Upgrade your skin moisturizer:

Look for a moisturizer that contains the ingredients CynergyTK and Phytessence Wakame. CynergyTK is an ingredient that has been taken from the wool of sheep. This ingredient is made up of functional keratin. Keratin can better regenerate collagen and elastin in the skin. Phytessence Wakame ensures that collagen will work longer. This sea kelp preserves hyaluronic acid, the acid that supplies moisture to collagen proteins.

6. Use pearl powder:

Pearl powder contains different kinds of keratin. When this is used topically, it can help improve the regeneration of collagen and elastin. Ancient Chinese women ingest it. They drink a mixture of crushed pearl and water.

7. Sleep on a satin pillow:

Many experts said that if you want to prolong young-looking skin, you should sleep on a satin pillow. Genuine satin fabric contains trace minerals like copper.

Collagens are proteins, long chains of amino acids. Shorter chains are known as peptides. Within the cells, three peptide chains are formed. They combine to form pre-pro-collagen. A few adjustments are made, signaling peptides are attached and the chains are now known as pro-collagen. The process is dependent on vitamin C as a co-factor and copper enzymes are also necessary. Eventually, pro-collagens are secreted by the cell.

Outside the cells,

more peptides are attached and tropocollagen molecules are formed. Multiple molecules bind together to form fibrils. A bundle of fibrils eventually forms collagen fibers.

• The destruction of collagen only occurs due to disease or medical disorders. But, vitamin C deficiencies can prevent the formation of strong fibers.
• Copper and zinc deficiencies can cause decreased production of new cells and fibers.
• The only thing that can damage the collagen that also accompanies the aging process is increasingly high levels of free radicals, accompanied by fewer numbers of antioxidants, within the cells.

 

So,

• A well-balanced diet is important if you want to delay the signs of aging.
• Supplementation is a good idea since it is nearly impossible to get all of the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are necessary for excellent health through diet alone.
• Nourishing creams that contain many of the nutrients needed when the body forms collagen fibers are also, highly beneficial.
• An amino acid, copper and zinc complex, extracted from sheep’s wool and named Functional Keratin is the most effective ingredient that a cream can contain, according to clinical studies.
  • It increases cellular production by as much as 160% in as little as three days. Just think of hundreds of new cells, all secreting pro-collagens and finding the peptides necessary to complete the chains and form a fiber.

 

To prevent the damage or destruction of collagen by free radicals,

• The cream should also contain antioxidants. The most effective formulation is a nano-emulsion that contains vitamin E and coenzyme Q10.
• It has been shown to penetrate deeply through many of the skin’s layers. It can replenish the number of antioxidants that time has removed.

 

Now that you know how your body forms collagen, you may have a greater appreciation for the necessity of a healthy diet and excellent dietary supplements that contain amino acids. Now that you know what causes the destruction of collagen, you may feel a little better about your age. You have the ability to maintain a youthful appearance if you choose to.

Foods that increase collagen in the skin:

It’s important to not just apply collagen topically to your skin, but there are ways you can supplement it into your diet to help with body processes and boost collagen levels in the skin for overall skin health.

Collagen is a protein crucial to the health of the skin by supporting the connective tissue under the skin. Without proper collagen, the skin appears wrinkled and lacks elasticity. Collagen also keeps bodies healthy by strengthening tendons and ligaments. There are many different foods that aid in the production of collagen. Consuming more of the following foods will help the skin look natural and feel smooth.

Foods high in lysine:

The main source of lysine is protein. Chicken and turkey contain a great deal of lysine. This is just the meat. This does not include the skin. It should be prepared on its own. This means baking or boiling, not frying. Many types of fish also fit into this category. Some of the highest are tuna, ling, pike, and cod.

Non-meat sources include legumes. Peanuts are the best source. This also includes beans. Low-fat dairy products like cottage cheese are also a good source.

Foods high in proline:

Eggs:

Egg whites are considered high in proline. Wheat germ is another important food. Egg whites should be cooked to avoid salmonella.

Eggs are a highly nutritious way to get some extra collagen in your diet. Collagen is found in both the outer membrane (the one between the shell and the egg) and in the yolk. And while eggs are not considered to be a significant source of collagen, you will be getting some, plus you’ll also be getting protein, Vitamin E, B Vitamins, and sulfur.

Soy Products:

Your diet should also include quality soy products, such as cheese and soymilk. These things help you prevent fine lines and wrinkles on your skin. The genistein, which is a plant hormone, boosts collagen production. As a result, your skin becomes stronger and more elastic.

Vitamin C – Oranges:

Eat foods high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is important for the formation of connective tissue. This includes citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits.

Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, a crucial nutrient for humans. Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen synthesis. Without adequate amounts of Vitamin C, people run the risk of scurvy. Scurvy is rare today but was more prevalent in the past when people couldn’t properly store produce. Scurvy was a particularly common sickness among sailors and pirates during that time.

Sulfur

Foods that are rich in sulfur content are also important to collagen production. Sulfur compounds help to protect connective tissue. Garlic contains sulfur compounds. Radishes also contain sulfur. Mustard seed is also a good source. vegetables that are rich in Vitamin A, also aid in keeping collagen levels high.

Fish – Salmon:

Salmon and other fish contain high amounts of Omega-3. Omega-3 is a fatty acid that nourishes skin cells. This acid helps the cells maintain water pressure which keeps the skin moist and smooth.

Carrots:

Actually, carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which helps your body produce more collagen. Aside from this, carrots help your body control the breakdown of elastin and collagen. Another great role of carrots is that they stimulate and thicken the dermis. As a result, your body has a better flow of blood.

Tomatoes:

Generally used as a salad or sandwich topping, tomatoes are rich in lycopene. Lycopene is another nutrient that supports collagen growth in the skin and tendons. Tomato ketchup is also a good source of lycopene.

Green or Black Olives:

In your diet, green or black olives play a great role in helping you stay healthy. Actually, they are heavy with sulfur that boosts collagen formation. In the past, sulfur was used for the purpose of treating skin issues, such as dermatitis. The substance helps fight acne, skin oiliness and prevents the clogging of your skin pores.

Beans:

For healthy skin, you have to make certain that you eat beans. Actually, beans have hyaluronic acid that is important for you if you want to stay young. As a matter of fact, hyaluronic acid can keep water longer. As a result, you can get rid of lines and wrinkles and keep your skin glowing. The fact of the matter is that hyaluronic in beans help you with cell migration and proliferation. You can eat beans in any form.

Nuts And Seeds:

Good source of copper and zinc, which both aid the body’s natural collagen production.

Oysters: 

High in zinc (not to mention vitamin B12), which helps with collagen production.

You might notice some items that didn’t make this list, namely: sugary, processed foods. That’s because these types of foods actually damage your body’s ability to produce and maintain collagen levels.

So,

one clear takeaway is that even if you’re able to do nothing else for a day, start by trying to avoid ‘junk’ foods. You will be increasing your body’s ability to hold onto the nutrients it needs to be its best self, plus helping to future-proof your body against disease.

Summary

A collagen diet consists of foods that are high in proline and lysine. It is also important to get plenty of vitamin C. Foods high in sulfur like garlic and radishes are also good. Does this help your skin? There is good reason to believe that it might. It is definitely good for your health.

It’s great to be able to get collagen naturally from your diet, but supplements are really an ideal way to make sure you’re consistently getting the right amount.

Summing Up:

Taking care of your skin and ensuring that you would avoid pre-mature aging is still better. As they say, prevention is better than cure. When situations are irreversible though, there are other natural options than collagen creams that you can opt for. Check on the internet for more information or better yet, ask your dermatologist before buying or using any collagen creams.

You may not be able to turn back the clock, but aging doesn’t mean your face has to look old. Using a collagen cream or massaging the skin can help you keep your youthful glow for far longer.

If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.

Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment of any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”

Sources

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