What’s all the hype about collagen? Take a look in the mirror. Compare photos of yourself in your 20s, 30s, and 40s. Do you notice more lines on your skin? Perhaps your skin tone isn’t as tight as it used to be, or you see more lines and a dulling of color. The truth is, if you lack sufficient collagen or fail to retain it, your “youthfulness” will fade away. Sometimes it feels like it happens overnight, especially for women. Starting in their 30s, a woman can lose up to 2% of collagen per year. Unfortunately, this decline continues into the 40s and 50s. By the age of 50, most women simply don’t have enough collagen. In fact, someone in their 80s may only produce about 25% of the collagen that someone in their 30s does.
Collagen is present throughout the body. It can be found in all organs and tissues. This protein is crucial for supporting and maintaining structure. It provides essential nourishment to tendons, skin (especially), and cartilage. Collagen ensures integrity, firmness, and elasticity in these structures. Remember, “structure is function” – as AskDrPat often says.
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Signs of Collagen Deficiency:
- Joint Stiffness or Joint instability
- Receding gums, loose teeth, toothache, sensitive teeth, tooth loss
- Muscle aches and muscle weakness
- Hair- duller, thinning hair (hair loss)
- Loose skin, fine lines, wrinkles. Note: UV radiation/free radicals drastically increases this process.
- Cellulite
Causes of Collagen Deficiency:
- Poor Sleep
- Sugar- Sweets
- Stress esp. emotional
- Prolonged Sun Exposure
- Sedentary Activity
- Digestive (gut) Issues
- Consuming Free Radicals
- Injury to Joints and Tissues
- Under consumption of Anti-Oxidants
Are you finding yourself guilty of some or many of the factors mentioned above? Is your diet and lifestyle spiraling out of control?
If you’re willing to make changes to the food you consume, your water intake, and your overall lifestyle, there is hope for slowing down the aging process in a relatively short period of time. While you may have noticed the market is flooded with collagen supplementation options, it’s important to remember that this is just one piece of the puzzle. Other aspects of your diet need to be addressed as well.
If you’re genuinely committed to aging gracefully and maintaining good health with all bases covered, it’s crucial to have a plan in place. Consider consulting a knowledgeable functional medicine doctor or healthcare practitioner who can support you along the way. In case you’re uncertain, feel free to reach out to me. We can have a complimentary conversation to help you achieve the breakthrough you desire and deserve.
Let’s talk.
