Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and is mainly the one responsible for holding our body together. It has many benefits and medical uses such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, osteoarthritis treatment, skin fillers to fill out skin depressions, and skin revitalization.
However, as we age, collagen production may be decreased or depleted. The loss of collagen results in several aesthetic problems and visible signs of aging.
To keep our skin, hair, and nails healthy, we need to replenish the protein that build and repair them. Together with elastin, collagen is important in maintaining skin elasticity. Increased collagen levels will help increase skin smoothness, make it look firmer, and help skin cells renew and repair normally.
However, as we age, our body produce less collagen. That's why we normally see aging skin problems like saggy skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. These problems become more prominent as collagen in our body decreases. It also results in lifeless and thinning hair and splitting nails.
Because the skin loses its elasticity when there is collagen reduction, cellulite also becomes more visible. To reduce the dimpling appearance cellulite brings into our body, we need to improve our skin’s elasticity through collagen supplementation.
Food sources that can boost collagen formation include egg whites, meat, cheese, soy, cabbage, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, oranges, strawberries, peppers, broccoli, shellfish, nuts and foods rich in beta-carotene like squash and carrots.
Collagen can also be stimulated by laser therapy involving intense wavelengths of light. Trophy Skin offers RejuvaliteMD Anti-Aging LED Light Therapy. RejuvaliteMD comes with a custom LED panel that is split evenly between the Red (660nm), Yellow (590nm), Amber (630nm), and Infrared (880nm) bulbs.
These penetrate the skin at different levels resulting in cellular level changes helping spur the creation of new collagen, elastin, and fibroblasts to effectively reduce wrinkles.
Despite the fact that collagen is abundant in our body, several factors also contribute to its destruction. Some autoimmune disorders target and destroy collagen. The harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight cause collagen to break down, damaging collagen fibers, resulting in aging.
A high-sugar diet also results in damaging collagen through the process of glycation. This makes the collagen weak, brittle and easily damaged.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes damage the skin and the narrow blood vessels resulting to low oxygen and nutrient levels at the skin, making it dull and unhealthy.
Collagen levels lessen naturally over time and there is no way to prevent this natural aspect of aging. However, by taking preventive measures, it is possible to delay aging such as maintaining a healthy diet, limiting sun exposure, and quitting smoking. This way we may keep ourselves ageless for longer.
