Prevention for What Depletes Collagen is Important
In your desire and quest for better skin and fewer wrinkles, preventing collagen loss is imperative.
Collagen is a fibrous protein that is a key to the strength in our skin. Further, this protein helps skin tissue withstand stretching.
Some of these may surprise you but with these SEVEN things to avoid, your body has collagen-keeping power.
What to Avoid
ONE. Caffeine. I am regretful to tell you but caffeine has been found to inhibit collagen formation.
There is an enzyme that is produced in our skin called prolidase.
Prolidase helps with collagen synthesis.
Unfortunately, caffeine inhibits this enzyme and has an adverse effect on our body’s ability to produce collagen.
Cut out or at least reduce your caffeine intake by drinking green tea. You might even try Matcha green tea which has been known to help with weight loss.
TWO. Sugar. Simple carbohydrates such as refined sugar, white bread, and soda cause your insulin levels to spike. Spiking insulin causes inflammation.
Sugar is collagen’s enemy!
Sugar damages collagen by attaching to the skin proteins being Collagen and Elastin and in essence sucking the good stuff out of them.
Skin then appears wrinkled and lifeless.
Inflammation, then in turn, produces enzymes that break down Collagen and Elastin.
Besides, sugar and simple carbohydrates are terrible for you and you should give them up anyway. Easy decision.
THREE. Cigarettes. Cigarettes are addicting and if you’re still trying to break the habit may preventing wrinkles may be another reason to quit smoking… I hope.
There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. These chemicals damage the collagen and elastin (fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity).
Further, smoking creates collagen-destroying enzymes, diminishing collagen production.
Need further motivation? Check out this study done on identical twins – smoking vs nonsmoking twins.
You can do it!
FOUR. Sun/UV Radiation. Skin over-exposed to sun causes collagen to break down at a higher rate than it would from normal aging.
UV rays penetrate the middle layer of skin (dermis), causing enzymes which break down collagen.
Cover up, wear a safe sunscreen. Easy.
FIVE. Processed Foods. Processed, fake foods are in essence chemicals. Chemicals cause oxidative stress and break down the skin.
You shouldn’t be eating processed foods anyway. For foods to eat to build collagen, read this article – Foods with Collagen for Skin
SIX. Air Pollution. Of course, air pollution is impossible to avoid but there are steps to take for your skin to avoid the damage of air pollution.
Pollution causes free-radical damage and chronic inflammation from air pollutants.
Because of the damage and inflammation, collagen fibers become fragmented and weakened.
To combat air pollution, here is what to do for your skin:
- Wash your skin well. Clean off the pollutants
- Exfoliate. Read article on Reasons to Exfoliate
- Use an Astringent or Toner. Read article on Witch Hazel
- Use an Antioxidant Moisturizer like this one from MODERE
SEVEN. Alcohol. Unfortunately, alcohol is one of the worst things to consume to do damage to your skin.
Not only does alcohol dehydrate your organs, it also breaks down and produces free radicals.
Free radicals damage DNA and breakdown collagen leading to wrinkles.
To ReBuild, Think Inside/Outside
Collagen supplements, skin creams, and skin serums to rebuild collagen loss are understandably popular and effective.
Using these products is an undeniable way to repair wrinkled and sagging skin.
INSIDE. Personally, I’ve seen some great results with this liquid collagen/hyaluronic acid collagen supplement from Modere.
Liquid BioCell combined with eating collagen beneficial foods is very effective.
OUTSIDE, BioCell collagen skin care from Modere has made a huge improvement in my skin.
Conclusion – What Depletes Collagen?
To keep the collagen your body is producing, avoid Caffeine, Sugar, Cigarettes, Sun Exposure, Processed Foods and Alcohol.
To increase collagen easily, eat collagen producing foods, take a liquid collagen supplement and use collagen building skin care.
Enjoy!
Signe