Without enough collagen in the body, wounds can be slow to heal and this can cause infection, pain and other more serious symptoms.

As you age, your collagen production naturally declines. Additionally, collagen becomes fragmented and more loosely distributed ( 10). For example, dietary supplement ingredients such as herbal extracts may interact with commonly prescribed medications, and some aren’t safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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With a formulation that you won’t find anywhere else, our Coconut & Collagen can help to boost your collagen levels to support the health of your skin and hair. Tamar Samuels, RD, NBC-HWC, a New York City-based holistic dietitian and nutritionist and the co-founder of Culina Health. Because your body naturally produces collagen from amino acids, you can support collagen production by ensuring that you’re eating adequate amounts of protein from foods like poultry, fish, beans, and eggs. Still, some research does look promising. A 2014 double-blind study published in the journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that women who consumed extra collagen had higher levels of skin elasticity after four weeks than those who took a placebo. You can buy it in grocery stores or make it yourself. “I recommend buying only organic bone broth, or cooking broth from the bones of only organically raised animals,” Dr. Bradley says. “You don’t want the residue of pesticides, antibiotics and other contaminants in your broth.” Protein-rich foods

It’s impossible to prevent all age-related collagen loss, but it is possible to slow down the process. While you can’t measure your collagen level, you can tell when it’s falling. Collagen decreases as you get older, contributing to: A number of studies have shown that taking collagen supplements may improve skin hydration and elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.Meet Our Experts: Tricia Pingel, ND, a naturopathic physician, Trinty Mouzon Wofford, co-founder and CEO of Golde, Dendy Engleman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City The breakdown of collagen with ageing means we need to replenish our levels as we get older. Low levels of this protein impact several areas of our wellbeing, with symptoms including wrinkles, thin hair and bone loss. What Are Some Natural Food Sources Of Collagen? Consuming enough protein, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc in a balanced diet is a healthy and less expensive alternative to supplements. By combining this with regular exercise, you can help minimize collagen and bone loss as you age.

If you don’t have a silicone mold, you can pour the mixture in a small pan, freeze, then cut into bite-sized squares. Oral and topical collagen products like supplements and face creams are popular for treating signs of aging such as wrinkles, loss of skin hydration, and joint pain.

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The unique formulation inside our Coconut & Collagen capsules can help support your hair, skin & nails and increase your collagen levels. De Luca C, et al.(2016). Skin antiageing and systemic redox effects of supplementationwith marine collagen peptides and plant-derived antioxidants: A single-blindcase-control clinical study. DOI:

Unlike animal-derived collagen, plant-based collagen supplements (also known as ‘collagen promoters’) do not provide a direct source of collagen to the body,” notes Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Instead, they are made up of ingredients that promote the body’s natural production of collagen—usually silica, phytoceramides, amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants—especially vitamin C—since the human body naturally uses vitamin C to produce collagen.” Coconuts are low in carbs and high in fiber and fat, which may be beneficial for blood sugar control.

Jolayemi AT, et al. (2013). Comparativeanti-inflammatory properties of Capsaicin and ethyl-aAcetate extract of Capsicum frutescenslinn[Solanaceae] in rats. DOI: A follow-up study in 31 of these women found that taking 5 grams of collagen daily for a total of 4 years was associated with a progressive increase in BMD. For example, vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis, so having low or deficient levels of vitamin C can lead to impaired collagen production ( 17). A 2015 study revealed that the vitamin C found in vegan collagen sources significantly induced collagen synthesis in women of all ages, but especially in those under age 50,” Dr. Pingel notes.