Collagen, Essential For Health And Appearance Of Your Skin

Collagen is an amino acid and the most abundant protein throughout the body. It is naturally produced by the body and plays an important role in your skin, bones, hair, muscles, liver and heart by providing elasticity, strength and serve as the “glue” that hold us together. However body’s production of collagen degenerates as you age and results in formation of wrinkles, degenerative joint pains and other collagen related complaints.

Today, collagen is a very popular nutritional supplement. It has been incorporated in lotions, shampoos, and eye masks to diminish lines or wrinkles. These collagen products are readily available in any drugstores, grocery stores and in beauty shops in powder, liquid, pill or topical treatment.

Why Is Collagen So Important? What Are Its Use And Benefits?

1. Strengthens hair and nails
2. Reduces cellulites
3. Effective in the treatment of pain, swelling and stiffness around the joints or any bone illnesses
4. Improves muscular, arterial and organ structures
5. Collagen in topical products like eye masks enhance skin appearance making eye wrinkles less noticeable thus preventing the signs of aging
6. Provides structure to bones, tendons, cartilage, connective tissue and teeth
7. Used as a dressing in burns
8. Collagen is heated to create gelatin and used as sausages wrappings
9. It is also use as a filler in plastic surgery

What Are The Natural Food Sources Of Collagen?

Aside from taking in collagen products readily available in the market, you can help your body to naturally produce collagen by including food with the necessary nutrients in your everyday meals:

1. Vitamin C from daily consumption of citrus fruits, bell peppers and strawberries.
2. Its best sources are egg whites, wheat germ, dairy products, cabbage, asparagus and mushrooms.
3. It can be obtained from pork skin, chicken skin, gelatin, and other protein rich foods.
4. Copper from organ meats, sesame seeds, cocoa powder, cashews and lentils.
5. Tofu, legumes and sea foods are protein-rich which give your body the important amino acids.

What To Avoid That Can Damage Collagen?

1. Avoid refined carbs and sugar because they interfere with collagen’s ability to repair.
2. Ultraviolet radiation can reduce collagen production so avoid excessive sunlight exposure.
3. Stop smoking so the body can naturally produce collagen.