Collagen is a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity, or stretchability. It's in our bones, muscles, and blood, comprising three quarters of our skin and a third of the protein in our body, with less of the protein causing ulcers and digestive problems. Our body naturally produces collagen, and can consume it through dietary sources such as chicken skin and fish skin as well as collagen supplements. As our age, our body naturally makes less collagen. The slow-down can start in our mid-to-late 20s. That causes a variety of conditions that we usually accept as part of getting older.
It plays a major role in many structures, such as:
Ligaments
Skin
Hair
Nails
Muscles
Bone
Joints
Heart
Corneas
Blood vessels
Digestive tract
Gallbladder
What cause Collagen loss?
Factors that may contribute to lead to collagen loss or low collagen levels include:
hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause, health conditions, and so on
oxidative stress, which results from metabolic processes and lifestyle choices, such as smoking and diet
the natural process of aging
too much sun exposure, as ultraviolet rays can cause collagen to break down in the skin
low levels of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, which can lead to scurvy
It's Easy as One Cup a Day
If our body has ample stores of collagen, then you are increasing our likelihood of having firmer skin, smoother-moving joints, and other signs of a healthy, youthful body.
The surest way to help our body produce collagen is by feeding it enough protein and other nutrients. It can be as easy as drinking one cup a day of bone broth or another beverage mixed with hydrolyzed collagen powder.
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