Collagen is the most dominant protein in your body, serving several crucial functions like strengthening your bones and providing your skin with structure. Considering the role it plays, collagen supplements have become popular over recent years. However, there are also several collagen foods you can consume.
This post will take a closer look at collagen foods, telling you what they are and some of the health benefits they promise to offer.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the main component of the connective tissues that make up several body parts, including your skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It makes up roughly 30% of the protein in your body.
While there are over 29 types of collagen, you mainly have types one, two, and three. Type one exists primarily in your skin, bone, organs, and vasculature. Type two and three exist in cartilage and reticular fibers, respectively.
What Happens When Your Collagen Level Drops
When your collagen level drops, it causes a reduction in epidermal thickness and skin elasticity. This increases wrinkles, skin damage, and sagging skin.
Collagen decrease could also lead to stiff ligaments and tendons, joint pain, gastrointestinal problems, as well as shrinking and weak muscles. It might also reduce hair growth or contribute to hair thinning.
The Collagen Diet
The collagen diet mainly consists of avoiding too much refined carbohydrates and sugar and consuming collagen-rich foods. Popular food sources of collagen include:
● Fish
● Egg whites
● Chicken
● Berries
● Citrus fruits
● Beans
● Tomatoes
● White tea
● Leafy greens
● Garlic
● Soy
● Avocados
Health Benefits of Collagen-rich Foods
While research is still in its infancy, consuming foods with collagen has been shown to offer several health benefits. Do you know these benefits?
Improving Skin Health
As you age, your body’s collagen production reduces, causing the formation of wrinkles and dry skin. However, collagen foods can strengthen your skin and improve hydration and elasticity. On top of slowing the aging of your skin, adding collagen in diets promotes the production of proteins like elastin and fibrillin that further help your skin’s structure.
Strengthening Hair and Nails
Consuming collagen foods could also increase the strength of your hair and nails, preventing brittleness. Doing so might also stimulate your nails and hair to grow longer.
Relieving Joint Pain
The decrease of collagen in your body increases the risk of developing joint disorders like osteoarthritis. By taking collagen foods, you can improve symptoms of osteoarthritis, reducing your overall joint pain. Doing so can also reduce inflammation and lead to better joint support.
Preventing Bone Loss
Collagen gives your bones structure, helping to keep them strong. As such, increasing your collagen intake can help prevent bone loss, reducing the risk of developing conditions like osteoporosis.
Eating foods with collagen can also help you increase your bone mineral density and reduce the proteins in the blood known to stimulate bone breakdown.
Opt for Anti-aging Therapies from Advanced Skin Therapy
At Advanced Skin Therapy, we offer several facial services and anti-aging treatments, including those relating to your lifestyle choices and hormonal changes within your body and skin. We provide cutting-edge technology and innovative skincare ingredients that promise dramatic results.
Call us today at 360-651-8343 to learn more about our treatments.
