By, Lauren Kolacki
As you age you start to notice differences in your body. Your skin may appear looser with less elasticity and more wrin- kles. It feels that all the workouts and aging moisturizer in the world is not benefiting you. Yes, this is a product of age but, more so, a result of a decrease in collagen production that occurs as we age. The other factors that can contribute to a decrease in collagen level is eating a diet high in sugar, smoking and high amounts of sun exposure.
Collagen is a rich source of protein present in all the body’s organs and tissues. It is what helps give our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells. Collagen provides the matrix that sustains the body’s structure, as well as, binding cells and tissues together while helping them maintain shape and integrity. Aside from these by the book defini- tions, studies have shown collagen can improve much more than just the strength of our skin.
1. Improves detoxifications and liver function
2. Strengthens and repairs hair, skin and nails- Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.
3. Prevents joint pain- When we lose collagen, our tendons and ligaments start moving with less ease, leading to stiff- ness, swollen joints and more.
4. Helps repair a leaky gut- Collagen helps break down proteins and soothes your gut’s lining, healing damaged cell walls and infusing it with healing amino acids.
5. Assists with weight management- Collagen can suppress your appetite, retain muscle mass that burns fat,
6. Supports bone growth and repair
7. Protects your heart- The amino acid proline helps your artery walls release fat buildup in the bloodstream, shrinking the fat in the arteries and minimizing fat accumulation.