The secret of youthfulness

What is good on the inside – is visible on the outside! Not only women want a healthy skin. The skin is the first visible indicator of health, where the consequences of aging are visible. Collagen is the main structural element of the skin, and it is responsible for 70 to 80% of the dry skin. It provides a supportive structure that allows skin elasticity and hydration. It is the glue that connects just about everything in our body. Without it, we would literally fall apart.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammalian bodies. It is found in almost all tissues, especially in the skin, nails, hair, cartilage and bones. It is a very important component of the connective tissue, as it provides elasticity and strength for the tendons and ligaments. In most cases, it works in synergy with other proteins in the body, such as keratin and elastin.

After the age of 20, collagen production slows down, so the process of collagen degradation becomes faster than its synthesis. Therefore, the amount of collagen at the age of 45 can be reduced by as much as 30%, which leads to visible signs of aging.

Decreased production of collagen reflects as:

• loose skin
• wrinkles
• brittle nails and hair
• reduced mobility

Women experience greatly reduced collagen production after the menopause. By the age of 60, significantly reduced collagen production is expected and is considered as part of the normal aging process.

The aging process is further accelerated by many factors to which we are exposed in our everyday life, such as high sugar diet, smoking, UV rays… In addition, certain autoimmune disorders and genetic factors may affect collagen synthesis and degradation as well.

What do we achieve with collagen intake?

Raising the collagen level in our body makes our skin firmer, smoother and it definitely helps in regenerating and healing our skin. Many people try to restore the firmness and skin’s health from the outside, by applying creams and tonics with collagen. However, they do not know that collagen molecules are too large, and the skin can’t absorb them. It is definitely better to satisfy skin’s need for collagen by eating the right food or taking the right supplements.