Collagen is the building block of muscles, bones, skin and other connective tissues. A lack of collagen can lead to wrinkles and sagging of the skin, leading to premature aging. In addition, stiffness in the joints and weak muscles may also be an indication of a lack of collagen.
Collagen is a type of protein made up of amino acids such as proline, glycine, hydroxyproline and arginine. It is an integral fibrous protein found in connective tissue and is also an important part of the skin. It makes up most of your body’s protein, accounting for 30% of its total protein. The best way to describe it is like glue.
Ageing slows down collagen production and by the age of 25, it is estimated that you lose collagen at a rate of 1% per year. This can cause premature aging of the body, leaving you prone to injury. Adding more collagen to your diet can help with wrinkles in the skin and also joint pains.
What is collagen production?
Collagen synthesis is the natural process of collagen production in the skin. It takes place intracellularly (mRNA transcription in the cell nucleus, translation in the cytoplasm and after translation in the endoplasmic reticulum) and extracellularly (formation of propeptide cleavage and collagen fibril assembly).
What disrupts the collagen synthesis process?
- Poor diet, stress and imbalances in the intestinal/digestive system can interfere with collagen synthesis. In particular, diets high in sugars can cause damage to collagen which can accelerate the ageing process.
- Vitamin C deficiency prevents collagen production and leads to weaker and thinner blood vessels.
- Smoking damages collagen and elastin because of the chemicals in tobacco smoke.
- Age naturally slows down the collagen production process.
- Alcohol can destroy collagen in the skin due to its high concentration of free radicals.
- Some prescription drugs may interact with the compounds needed to produce collagen.
- Lack of rest and sleep can weaken important bodily processes such as collagen synthesis.
How can you increase collagen synthesis?
- Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that enhances collagen synthesis and accelerates the cell renewal cycle, promoting youthful skin.
- Vitamin C reverses the damage caused by sun exposure, enhances collagen synthesis and protects your skin from free radicals.
- Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells and gives smooth skin. It also stimulates collagen synthesis and elastin production to minimize spots and fine lines.
- Niacinamide, a component of vitamin B3, can also boost elastin and collagen production to minimize wrinkles and fine lines.
- Finally, resveratrol is an antioxidant that fights sun damage, rejuvenates the skin and stimulates collagen synthesis that prevents the appearance of signs of aging.
