Every year we lose about 1% of our body's collagen.
Who cares, right? We either agree to age or fight it every step of the way. Personally, I'm a fighter. I will do everything I can to support my body being its healthiest for as long as possible. One way to do this is by supporting the body through a high quality collagen supplement.
Beginning in our late 20's we can really start to notice physical changes in our skin. Studies show that by the age of 50 we have lost about 25% our our skin's collagen. Even though collagen has become a household term, most people don't actually know why it's so important. There's such a lack of education in this supplement and I often times find people thinking that anything containing the word itself translates to being healthy. Word of advice: you get what you pay for.
As we age it is even more crucial to be choosing a quality supplement to support our bodies. As if Menopause doesn't wreak enough havoc on our bodies, we can expect to see an expedited loss of this protein building block during this time. Other factors that directly affect collagen production are genetics, stress, UV exposure and daily skincare. The bad news? There's nothing you can do to stop this process. The good news? You can help prevent the loss of collagen and stimulate production of it! Let's dive into a few ways to be rich in collagen at any age.
The Simplest Way to Support a Collagen Rich Body
Eliminate or pay careful attention to sugar intake
This may come as a shock, but did you know that sugar is a major culprit in your body's ability to produce collagen? Sugar will literally make you look older. Here's a great analogy from Dr. Andrew Nish about how sugar really wreaks havoc on our skin,
“If you put a banana out on the counter and unpeel it, what happens in 24-48 hours? It gets brown. What’s happening is the sugars in that banana are reacting with proteins, causing cross-linking and the brown color (browning reaction). The exact same reaction is happening in our bodies. We’re browning from the inside out.”
Removing sugar or minimizing it as much as possible is very important when it comes to aging because sugar also cross-links with collagen. Think of your insides as a brown banana. It also destroys elastin and contributes to acne. Digested sugar bonds to the collagen in your skin in a process called glycation.
Pay Attention to Skincare
Microneedling is a great choice because it helps stimulate production of collagen by creating artificial wounds on the skin. Using skincare products that have this listed as an ingredient is also a great way to have more youthful, plump skin. When combined with other beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, your skin is sure to be smoother and glowing.
Choosing a Quality Collagen Supplement
Collagen is something everyone should be incorporating into their health routine to help create balance within the body and this protein superstar thriving. So they all work the same, right? Wrong.
When you add supplements in the forms of vitamins, proteins, greens and collagen it can show immediate improvement in our health. It is particularly important to know where it is sourced, how it is formulated, and how your choice stand out. Your collagen is most effective in powder format, but be sure to avoid unnecessary additives like synthetic dyes, gluten, and artificial sweetners.
My Current Favorite Supplement
Green Compass not only sources its collagen thoughtfully and organically, but it has 3x more collagen than our competitors. It has 72 trace minerals from seaweed. Seaweed also plays a key role in the crucial mineral occurring in our bodies called iodine. It is formulated with Vitamin E and C, as well as olive leaf extract which is the most powerful antioxidant to date. There are 3x more antioxidants than COQ10, and 15x more antioxidants than green tea! Additionally, it is enhanced with CBG, a cannabinoid that supports healthy skin and hair. It also has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and is neuroprotective. CBG naturally reduces inflammation and is antibacterial. Honestly, I cannot find another collagen on the market that can even compare!
Save $10 here and 20% if you choose to subscribe to your monthly collagen. I have tried many, so please feel free to reach out with any questions about other options!
What would a body with a stable levels look like?
Most people notice a difference in brightness to their skin or rapidly growing hair. I notice less pain in my joints because my connective tissues are now nourished. I've loved my growing hair and strong nails, but I especially love the change in my gum health. I never thought about the oral health effects associated with depleting collagen levels, but I've seen first hand how it has improved the feeling of my gums and they appear to no longer be receding! Despite taking Ocrevus which is known to cause weak and brittle teeth, as well as hair loss, I notice the complete opposite effect when using this collagen, vs. last year when using a different brand. My dentist even said my mouth looks amazing! I used to get yelled at for not flossing enough. ????
What could your life look like with a quality collagen supplement?
