Habits that reduce collagen in the body
Dietitian Cemre Balkan stated that unhealthy eating, vitamin C deficiency, smoking and alcohol consumption, and excessive sugar intake are among the primary causes of the reduction of collagen, which is often referred to as the elixir of youth.
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Collagen stands out as the most abundant protein in the body, responsible for the strength and flexibility of muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues, which make up 30 percent of the body's protein, as well as for joint health and the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Dietitian Balkan stated that collagen decreases with age and provided information on the methods that should be applied.
With aging, the collagen found in the skin, muscles, joints, and blood begins to break down, and its production becomes more difficult. This is why the need for collagen supplementation increases in many people after a certain age.
Discussing the benefits of collagen, Dietitian Cemre Balkan said, “The main task of collagen is to provide structure, strength, and support to the body.
It is also used to maintain skin moisture and alleviate pain from osteoarthritis (calcification). It is also effective in situations such as lowering and regulating blood sugar. Collagen relieves joint pain.
It prevents bone loss and increases muscle mass. It strengthens hair and nails. As you age, it helps bones become stronger by reducing the fragility that occurs in them.
By providing skin hydration and elasticity, it adds strength and flexibility. It helps reduce wrinkles. Foods containing collagen include animal protein-rich meat products such as chicken, turkey, and beef, as well as cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel,” she said.
"UNHEALTHY EATING, SMOKING, ALCOHOL, AND EXCESSIVE SUGAR CONSUMPTION REDUCE COLLAGEN"
Expressing that cellulite, wrinkles, and dryness can occur in the skin with the decrease of collagen, Cemre Balkan said, “Consuming foods containing collagen does not ensure it is taken directly into the skin and body. The body takes in foods containing collagen, digests them, and synthesizes the proteins. Collagen production should be supported with the right nutrition plan. A healthy diet can help the body produce collagen.
Substances that can support collagen formation include anthocyanins, vitamin A, vitamin C, copper, proline, and glycine. Some habits in daily life can cause collagen loss.
In addition, there is a natural loss of collagen with aging, and dryness, wrinkles, cellulite, and joint ailments are seen in the skin. Unhealthy eating, vitamin C deficiency, stress, excessive exposure to sunlight, smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive sugar consumption are among the reasons that reduce collagen,” she spoke.
Stating the methods that should be followed to protect collagen in the body, Dietitian Balkan said, “Staying away from factors that lower the amount of collagen in the body helps prevent collagen loss.
A high-sugar diet damages proteins by binding blood sugars to them and can make collagen dry, brittle, and weak. Many chemicals found in tobacco smoke damage both collagen and elastin in the skin.
Ultraviolet rays, which are naturally found in sunlight, cause collagen to break down faster, damage collagen fibers, and cause abnormal levels of elastin to accumulate in the skin. Regular exercise can help reduce visible aging and protect collagen, maintaining skin, bone, muscle, and joint health for a longer period,” she stated.