Every human on the face of the planet begins to lose collagen by their mid-20’s, but there are a few factors that speed up collagen loss and, thankfully, a few practices we can adopt now to help slow down collagen loss and boost your collagen naturally.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and according to Medical News Today, healthy collagen levels contribute to joint health, protection of kidneys and a healthy cardiovascular system. On a more vain note, it’s also stuff that makes our skin look younger by providing more strength and elasticity, giving it a smoother, vibrant and youthful appearance.
Even if we do everything 'right,' we will still have a decline in collagen. But here are the top five bad habits that aid in the depletion of collagen and our top five suggestions for how to support better collagen levels.
DONT:
- Over expose your skin to harsh sun. UV damage can cause collagen to break down at a faster rate than the normal aging process. Too much sun exposure generates free radicals in the skin, which breaks down collagen and contributes to premature aging.
- Overdo with alcohol. Anything that taxes the kidneys and liver makes it harder for them to filter and detox the body, lowering your collagen levels.
- Smoke: When the skin comes into contact with smoke, it drastically reduces blood flow in the blood vessels and as a result turns naturally produced collagen dry and weak.
- Consume too much sugar. Eating too much sugar can affect your collagen levels because sugar molecules attach themselves to the collagen and elastin in our skin and promote inflammation and wrinkles.
- Stress. When you’re under constant stress, it shows up as higher cortisol levels and can break down collagen and elastin and cause inflammation, making it harder for the body to repair itself.
DO:
We can’t stop the clock, but these lifestyle hacks can help in boosting healthy collagen levels naturally.
- Get enough sleep. The first place you notice lack of sleep is your skin when you look in the mirror after a rough night. Sleep is restorative not just for your brain, and your body, but also for your skin. Aim for a consistent 7-8 hours per night.
- Get enough vitamin C. Vitamin C (topically and orally) has been found to stimulate collagen synthesis and act as a potent antioxidant to free radicals that can lead to the breakdown of collagen.
- Supplement with our Collagen Peptides + Biotin Ageless Beauty Blend. Our scientifically based formula utilizes a proprietary blend that helps with better bioavailability and absorption of collagen than you may find in other supplements.
In one scoop that you add to hot water, tea or a smoothie, you can get 10,000 mg of Collagen Peptide I and III, Biotin to help strengthen hair and nails plus the free-radical fighting antioxidant power of Acai, Raspberry, Blueberry, Aronia Berry and Maqui Berry plus Hyaluronic Acid known to help hydrate and plump skin. - Get your crucial sunlight exposure in the morning or later in the afternoon. Early morning sunshine is essential to circadian rhythms as well as a general mood booster and lowering cortisol levels. Take a walk soon after waking or do your daily stretches outside.
- Use retinol product at night. Retinol is known to stimulate collagen production and inhibit the breakdown of collagen that already exists.