Benefits of Collagen for Skin and Hair Health
Collagen is increasingly found in various products skincare. You can find it in moisturizers, masks, to shampoos and conditioners. Even so, do you know about the benefits of collagen for skin and health in general?
What is collagen?
Collagen (collagen) is a type of fibrous and insoluble protein that is the most abundant in the human body. These proteins are the main building blocks of bone, skin, tendons, and connective tissue that give them structure and strength.
Collagen is also found in other parts of the body, such as blood vessels, corneas and teeth. For example, collagen is the glue that holds the whole body together.
Apart from bonding, collagen also has benefits in restoring injured body tissue, strengthening bones, and flexing tendon and skin tissue. So, skin that is supple and tight is skin that has enough collagen.
How is collagen formed in the body?
Within the skin layer, there are a number of specialized cells that produce mini molecules called pro collagen. This molecule is formed from vitamin C and protein that have been absorbed by the body.
During the production process, each pro collagen sticks to each other and forms fibrils. Fibrils are thin fibers composed of minerals and vitamins with a shape resembling threads.
The fibrils then grow and turn into fibers that stick to skin cells, functioning like anchors. Once these fibers are formed and attached properly, the fibrils are finally able to maintain the structure of the skin and make it flexible.
The body can produce its own collagen regularly. However, this ability will continue to decrease with age. Exposure to sunlight, pollutants and smoking habits can also inhibit collagen production.
People whose bodies are deficient in collagen can be recognized by the appearance of sagging skin and fine lines and wrinkles. Depletion of the body’s natural collagen levels has also been linked to a number of health problems.
The benefits of collagen for the body are so diverse that a decrease in production certainly has a big impact. Therefore, in order to increase collagen production, it is important for you to have a healthy lifestyle.
Like all protein, collagen is made of amino acids, some of which must be obtained from food. Smooth blood flow also plays a role in collagen production, so you need to exercise regularly to increase its production.
What are the benefits of collagen for the body?
The function of collagen is not only limited to the skin, but also various other parts of the body. There isn’t much research available on collagen supplements, but some suggest that collagen benefits may include the following.
1. Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
As people age, collagen production decreases, which results in fine lines and wrinkles where the skin moves the most. The parts of the skin most affected are the joints, forehead, lips, and around the eyes.
Use of cream anti-aging and sunscreenwith collagen content can help overcome the signs of premature aging. This treatment, plus the consumption of collagen supplements, is also considered to help heal and repair skin tissue
In addition, collagen can also be obtained from an injection by a skin specialist. The collagen injection will be filler to improve sagging facial skin, reduce wrinkles due to aging, and remove superficial scars such as acne scars.
2. Reducing cellulite
Cellulite occurs when fatty tissue pushes upward through the fibers to the top layer of the skin. The impact, the skin looks wavy with an uneven texture.
Another benefit of collagen supplements is that they reduce cellulite directly from the body. This protein works by stimulating the acceleration of the repair and regeneration process of skin cells in damaged skin tissue.
3. Smooth blood circulation to the skin
Collagen supplements can strengthen the structure of blood vessels and increase their flexibility. With strong blood vessels, blood from the heart can better flow throughout the body, including the skin.
The smoother your blood circulation, the more oxygen and nutrients that are sent to the skin cells. This will give your skin a healthier, younger, and more radiant appearance.
4. Healing wounds and injuries
Collagen is needed to repair and rebuild connective tissue to support the development of strong muscles, skin and joints. This protein is also important for strengthening the structure of bones, tendons, cartilage and ligaments.
Collagen also has benefits on your muscle tissue. Collagen supplements help speed up the recovery of muscle tissue and skin, thereby helping you recover quickly from sports injuries.
5. Maintain hair strength
Several types of amino acids that make up collagen also form keratin. Keratin is the main protein that makes up your hair. By increasing collagen production, you also get amino acids that will help combat hair loss.
6. Protects hair follicles from damage
Follicles are the tiny pockets on the skin where hair grows. Follicles can be damaged by free radicals from pollution, stress, and smoking and drinking alcohol.
Fortunately, collagen has benefits as a powerful antioxidant. Apart from keeping hair strong, this protein also protects hair follicles from damage by fighting the effects of free radicals.
7. Slows down the formation of gray hair
Thanks to its function as an antioxidant, collagen is considered to have the potential to slow down the gray hair formation process. This is because although the formation of gray hair is influenced by genetic factors, free radicals can also speed up the process.
Foods that increase collagen production
Care products containing collagen can indeed provide collagen directly to skin tissue. Even so, increasing production from within the body is just as important.
You don’t need to choose collagen supplements right away, because one of the safest and easiest ways to get the benefits of collagen is to eat foods that contain this protein. Here are a few of them.
1. Bone broth
Bone broth is made from boiled bones and connective tissue so that it is rich in collagen and its constituents such as calcium, phosphorus, chondroitin, and amino acids. In order for your bone broth to be of high quality, it is best if you make it from ingredients that you buy yourself.
2. Chicken cartilage
Chicken cartilage is one of the best sources of collagen, especially for people with arthritis. In fact, you may not even need to take additional collagen supplements because most of the products are actually made from this ingredient.
3. Egg whites
Egg white does not contain connective tissue like other sources of collagen. However, egg whites are very high in proline, an amino acid that is the main building block for collagen.
4. Oranges
Oranges and other citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and limes are high sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed to make pro collagen, so make sure you add these fruits to your daily diet.
5. Green vegetables
You can get the benefits of collagen by eating green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli. Green vegetables are rich in chlorophyll and this substance is believed to be able to increase the production of collagen raw material in skin tissue.
6. Nuts
Almost all types of beans are rich in amino acids. Eating nuts will provide the raw materials the body needs to form collagen in skin, hair, and body tissue as a whole.
7. Garlic
If it is not balanced with adequate collagen production, the periodic breakdown of collagen accelerates skin aging. The sulfur minerals in garlic can help prevent this by slowing down the breakdown of collagen.
Collagen is an essential protein that makes up various tissues of your body. A healthy lifestyle, proper diet, and use of care products containing collagen can increase collagen production so that skin health is always maintained.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
