Did you know that you can use nutrition to stimulate the body's natural production of collagen? Through your lifestyle, you can decrease the release of collagen in your body, as well as improve it. And so such a collagen boost also slows down the aging process of your body.  

Time to go through your kitchen cabinet!

What is collagen?

Collagen is a structural protein that plays an essential role in the formation and support of connective tissue in our body. This protein is responsible for maintaining the firmness and elasticity of the skin, thereby preventing wrinkles and sagging. But collagen is not only in our skin: it is important for the strength and structure of all our body tissues. It is often seen as the "glue" that holds our skin, bones, tendons, muscles and joints together.

Collagen is produced by fibroblasts, special cells in our connective tissue. During this process, amino acids are converted into procollagen, which is then converted back into collagen fibers. These fibers form a network that supports the structure of various tissues.

Delay in collagen production

Unfortunately, collagen production is not a perpetual process. As we age, the natural production of collagen decreases. Starting at age 25, this loss becomes noticeable (and the first skin sagging occurs) and accelerates after age 30. This results in a slow loss of skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles, as well as, consequently, weaker tissues in the bones, joints and muscles.

So it is quite natural for collagen production to decline with age. But our lifestyle choices have a major impact on how quickly or slowly this process occurs. Some culprits that slow down collagen production even faster are:

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• UV radiation
• Stress
• Unhealthy foods like sugars
• Lack of hydration

A collagen boost through nutrition

Where collagen production can be slowed down, it can also be stimulated with the right nutrition. Important nutrients for collagen production, such as proteins, are taken up through the digestive tract and absorbed into the bloodstream. The absorbed nutrients are then transported through the bloodstream to the cells involved in collagen formation. These cells, known as fibroblasts, are responsible for the synthesis and release of collagen fibers. 

In the cells, amino acids, particularly proline and glycine, are used as building blocks for the formation of procollagen, which is a precursor to collagen. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in this process because it activates the enzymes required for the conversion of procollagen to collagen. Co-factors such as copper are also involved in cross-linking collagen fibers, keeping the structure firm and stable. Once formed, collagen is secreted by the fibroblasts. In short, nutrition plays an important role when you want to give yourself a collagen boost. In particular, put the following nutrients and foods on your list:

1. Vitamin C

Foods: citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers, broccoli.

Function: vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen. It stimulates the production of procollagen, a precursor of collagen, by activating the enzymes involved in collagen synthesis. Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant, reducing free radical damage to collagen. Our collagen powder contains vitamin C as a co-factor for extra good absorption.

2. Amino acids 

Foods: fish, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts.

Function: amino acids, especially proline and glycine, are building blocks of collagen. They help create the structure of collagen molecules. By consuming foods rich in amino acids, you provide the body with the building blocks needed for collagen synthesis.

3. Copper

Foods: nuts, seeds, shellfish, whole grains.

Function: copper is a trace element required for the formation of healthy collagen fibers. It is involved in the cross-linking of collagen, keeping the structure firm and stable.

4. Silicon 

Foods: whole grains, oats, rice, vegetables such as spinach.

Function: silicon is important for the formation and maintenance of collagen. It helps link collagen fibers and promotes skin elasticity.

5. Antioxidants

Foods: berries, green leafy vegetables, nuts, dark chocolate.

Function: antioxidants protect collagen from free radical damage. They reduce oxidative stress, which can slow the breakdown of collagen fibers.

Protein

6. Foods: eggs, dairy, legumes, poultry, nuts and seeds.

Function: collagen is composed of amino acids, and proteins are the source of these amino acids. In particular, amino acids such as proline, glycine and hydroxyproline are of particular importance in the formation of collagen.