Healthy Collagen is a must for anyone wanting to age well. Here are a few simple things that influence collagen production and a few habits that reduce or damage collagen. We'll keep it simple and hopefully we can get you thinking about forming habits that will keep your skin looking great for years!
3 HABITS BENEFICIAL TO PRESERVING COLLAGEN
Eating high quality protein provides all the necessary amino acids to build collagen protein chains. Amino acids are present in both animal and plant based proteins.
- Collagen drinks are generally low quality proteins. We recommend them only if you have a generally poor diet.
- Animal products are complete proteins. (milk, eggs, meat)
- If you prefer a vegetarian diet, be sure to eat a variety of fruits and veggies so you will have everything you need for complete protein chains. Some foods such as Quinoa and Soybeans are complete proteins, while others are complete when combined, such as beans/rice, nuts/whole grains. There are plenty of options
Eat your fruits and veggies. Vitamin C is necessary for building collagen chains.
- It's a bit of complicated science. To keep it simple, vitamin C is necessary for synthesis and maintenance of collagen.
LED light therapy helps stimulate new collagen production.
- Helps reduce collagen damaging inflammation, and encourages the production of new collagen in the skin.
- LED therapy is available in some skin clinics. There are also LED masks available for home use.
- Support your LED treatments with proven topical ingredients such as GHK-CU, Co-Enzyme Q10 and Matrixyl 3000.
THINGS THAT DESTROY COLLAGEN
Smoking
- Smoking chronically deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients which leads to the degradation of collagen, elastin and proteoglycans (important for connective tissue). It also slows the synthesis of new collagen.
- Smoking leads to skin sag and onset of deeper wrinkles. Long story short? Smoking leads to premature aging.
- All is not lost though, by quitting you can actually start to reverse damage.
UV exposure
- UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis where they damage the collagen fibres. UV damage results in the onset of wrinkles and facial sag, plus discolouration in the skin. If you take twins, one a sun worshipper and the other careful with their sun exposure, you'll eventually see accelerated skin aging and sun damage in the sun worshipper. They'll appear older than their non-sun worshipping sibling. (We know sun exposure is great for vitamin D, but you don't need much exposure to optimize your health)
High sugar intake
- Too much sugar results in a process called glycation and the formation of advanced glycation end products, or AGEs that weaken and breaks down collagen fibres leading to signs of accelerated aging.
- Glycation can also lead to inflammation, wrinkles, creases and a breakdown of the skins barrier function
- Glycation can be reduced by limiting sugar intake, wearing UV protection and managing chronic stress.
Interested in finding out more about how you can keep your skin looking amazing? Book your complimentary consultation with us today at 250.590.5459