Bad eating habits, addictions and stress affect the change of collagen level in our body. A balanced diet, vegetables and dairy products help to maintain the correct production, distribution and degradation of collagen.
Consuming excessive amounts of sugar results in a process in which glucose binds to proteins in the blood, starting protein glycation. As a result, collagen fibers permanently change their structure. They cease to be flexible and stiffen. The effect of this is to accelerate the aging of the entire organism. Lycopene, contained in tomatoes and grapefruits, among others, has the ability to activate the synthesis of procollagen, the precursor of collagen. In addition, it is a powerful antioxidant fighting free radicals. Silicon is of great importance in the formation of collagen. To get this precious element we need to eat real food of origin plant – unpurified, in a natural state. Silicon accumulates in plants mainly in skins and seed casings (eg white rice already has only half the silicon which has whole grain rice). It combines collagen and elastin fibers, affecting the proper construction of connective tissue. Anthocyanins protect the skin from the effects of sunlight. They absorb UV radiation and prevent the breakdown of collagen and enable its proper synthesis. We can find it in raspberries, black currants, black lilacs, blackberries, chokeberry, red cabbage, grapes and eggplants. Sulfur is also an important element needed for the synthesis of collagen. It also takes part in the creation of keratin – hair building protein, outer layers of the skin, nails and teeth. Omega-3 and omega-6 acids improve the production of collagen fibers and the structure of the intercellular matrix. Vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen. It is a powerful antioxidant, fighting against accelerating aging by an excess of free radicals. When the level of vitamin C in the body is low, the regeneration process of collagen fibers is blocked. Scientific research suggests that high doses of vitamin C may even increase the synthesis of collagen up to several times.
Stress – in the states of tension and chronic nervousness, the level of cortisol increases. Cortisol stimulates the collagen degradation in the body, affects the fibroblast responsible for its production. Fibroblasts are the most numerous connective tissue cells responsible for the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. With age, their number decreases causing deterioration of elasticity, elasticity and firmness of the skin. In this way, it contributes to the rapid acceleration of aging processes.
Cigarette smoke destroys vitamin C – a key antioxidant in the construction of connective tissue and accelerates the production of free radicals. The body is not able to reduce the excess, collagen synthesis is blocked and, as a consequence, accelerated aging.
