As you age, your body produces less collagen, a protein that's essential for skin, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. This can lead to wrinkles and accelerated skin aging.
"With aging, collagen in the deep skin layers changes from a tightly organized network of fibers to an unorganized maze," explains Harvard Health Publishing. Factors such as excess sun exposure, smoking, excess alcohol, lack of sleep, and exercise can have an impact on collagen fibers, they add.
To maintain a youthful appearance and well-being, take care of your health by addressing these factors. Additionally, you may consider taking supplements that stimulate the formation of collagen to improve your appearance and vitality. Let's take a look at a few of them.
Related: 10 Collagen-Boosting Foods That'll Keep Your Skin Young
Including vitamin C in your everyday routine provides several benefits. This essential vitamin protects your cells, promotes the healthy development of skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage, strengthens your immune system, and speeds up wound healing. Health experts say that it has antioxidant properties that help with the skin's natural regeneration process as well as its ability to repair damaged skin cells.
Taking vitamin C supplements or eating fruits and vegetables containing this nutrient will boost collagen synthesis and improve the suppleness and firmness of your skin.
Zinc has an important role in collagen formation. This mineral acts as a crucial co-factor, promoting collagen formation throughout the body. Experts recommend including zinc tablets in your daily routine or supplementing your diet with zinc-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, and legumes to boost collagen production. However, doctors advise against consuming too much zinc, as it might impair the absorption of vital minerals like copper. Thus, keeping a balanced diet is important.
Collagen peptides and hydrolyzed collagen supplements are gaining popularity for their direct impact on increasing collagen levels in the body. These supplements are processed to break down into smaller particles, allowing for better absorption by the body. This allows them to improve skin quality and elasticity effectively. By delivering specific peptides, they stimulate the body's collagen production mechanisms. Take collagen peptides as part of your morning routine by adding them to your coffee or smoothie.
These supplements are effective in boosting the retention of moisture within the skin, resulting in a more favorable environment for collagen production to happen. "Long-term use of hyaluronic acid serum on your skin or in a supplement taken by mouth can improve overall skin health," Cleveland Clinic says. "It's also great for helping improve overall skin flexibility and elasticity (meaning it makes your skin more stretchy and soft)," they add.
Experts say that this works by drawing water to skin cells, thus promoting collagen formation. However, experts recommend that you start with a smaller dose to check your body's tolerance.
Related: Should You Take Collagen Supplements For Your Skin?
While omega-3 fatty acids, present in fatty fish and supplements, don't directly stimulate collagen production, medical professionals say they do have potent anti-inflammatory properties that help protect collagen in the skin. These properties are essential in preventing skin collagen from being damaged by external aggressors such as UV rays and pollution.
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