About the importance of collagen for the body
Our body has the ability to naturally produce collagen, a type of protein found in the skin, bones, teeth, cornea, tendons, cartilage, blood vessels and skin. Popularly, collagen is also said to be the substance that “holds the body together.”
Among the main essential functions that collagen performs are:
- Maintains the integrity of the skin and gives it tensile strength;
- An optimal level of collagen in the body ensures the hydration of the cartilages, giving them elasticity;
- It works as a net to support the skin and other structures of the body (blood vessels, organs, etc.);
- It has an impact on the digestive system, helping to preserve the function of the intestinal barrier.
However, we notice that, after the age of 35, our skin begins to weaken its firmness and at the same time to lose its elasticity, meaning that it is necessary to supplement the body’s collagen.
You can use collagen-based dietary supplements, facial care creams, or a food-based diet to naturally increase your body’s coalogen synthesis.
Foods that are natural sources of collagen include:
- Fish, beef and chicken;
- Aspic or bone juice. Be careful, however, for the release of collagen it is necessary to boil for a long time on low heat (6-12 hours);
- Eggs, especially egg whites;
- Seaweed, especially rich in spirulina. Spirulina consists mainly of amino acids, ie the constituent elements of coalgen;
- Dairy products.
Another effective way to maintain an optimal level of collagen in the body is to eat foods rich in copper, zinc and vitamin C, these three elements acting together in the connective tissue to support a strong and elastic collagen.
Foods rich in copper, zinc and vitamin C that increase collagen synthesis are: citrus fruits, oilseeds (especially nuts, pumpkin and / or sesame seeds, almonds, cashews), leafy green vegetables, bell peppers and seafood.
Collagen-based dietary supplements help relieve joint pain and support heart health, but natural collagen and sustaining your health with a balanced diet are the key to success in looking and feeling good in the long run.
