Even if you aren’t a skincare enthusiast, you might have heard about collagen and its anti-ageing benefits for people above 25. Chances are that you may have heard about a family member, friend, or acquaintance mentioning collagen supplements. Being new to this ingredient, you may be sceptical about its pros and cons, and wondering whether you really need to incorporate it into your daily dietary and skincare regimen.
The Channel 46 caught up with Dr Saru Singh, an Aesthetic Physician, who shares the basics of everything you need to know about collagen – its benefits, factors that affect its production, how to boost its production and more.
7 Possible Benefits Of Collagen
- 30% of the protein in your body is collagen. It is hence the most abundant protein in the human body.
- Aids the formation of fibroblasts in the dermis (middle layer of skin), which promotes the growth of new cells.
- Plays an essential role in skin cell replacement.
- Provides organs with a protective coating.
- Ensures skin suppleness, structure, and strength.
- Aids in blood clotting.
- It gives your muscles, bones, and connective tissues shape, support, or strength.
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3 Factors Behind Collagen Degradation
- Collagen degradation is a natural process. As you become older and your body ages, it starts creating less collagen and the collagen you already have also gets depleted more quickly. The collagen that does get produced by your body when you’re older is also of a comparatively degraded quality.
- After menopause, women’s collagen production significantly declines.
- Collagen degradation increases during unprotected sun exposure and hormonal imbalances as well as during periods of stress.
3 Factors To Boost Collagen Production In Your Body
1. Protect Yourself From The Sun
Wear sunscreen every day to reduce the signs of ageing skin. Prolonged and unprotected exposure to UV light adversely affects the quality of collagen. Make use of sun protection products with an SPF of 30 or higher. When outdoors, put on a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and airy long-sleeved shirts and slacks. For further protection, look for clothing with a UV protection factor label. Skip the tanning bed.
2. Maintain A Well-Balanced Diet
Eat a diet that is well-balanced, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seafood with just a small quantity of dairy, meat, and eggs.
3. Take Collagen Supplements, If Required
Apart from these, studies have proven that regular consumption of good quality collagen supplements, whether marine or bovine, can help increase collagen reserves.
3 Sources Of Collagen You Should Know About
- I, II, III, V, and X are the 5 common forms of collagen that can be found in various collagen supplements.
- Remember that collagen can never be vegan.
- Pure supplemental collagen comes coupled with Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and antioxidants, and is available in some pharmaceutical and skincare brands that help improve joint discomfort (osteoarthritis) and help maintain youthful skin.
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3 Things About Collagen Supplements You Should Be Conscious Of
- Supplemental collagen is typically well tolerated and has few negative effects, unless they comprise ingredients that you are allergic to.
- Some dietary supplements contain common food allergies. These foods include fish, shellfish, and eggs. Collagen supplements prepared with these substances should not be taken by people who have sensitivities to these foods.
- You can get great efficacy and evident results with trusted brands.
If you really want to slow down signs of ageing then taking regular collagen supplements are a must. So, keep the above advice in mind while including collagen in your daily dietary or skincare routine.
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