Collagen is a protein molecule within your body.
Not only that, but it's the most common protein molecule.
It accounts for 25 to 35% of your body's protein.
Also, it is a connective tissue that binds your tendons, cartilage, skin and bones together.
Collagen, when combined with other substances, such as elastin, also gives your skin its stretchiness, smoothness and general young appearance.
Without collagen, your skin would be in very sorry shape.
Keratin is another important skin substance.
It stabilizes and strengthens the skin, when it works in tandem with collagen.
That's why many people consider collagen to be like "body glue.
" Without it, many of the body's vital systems and substances couldn't possibly function.
Collagen Loss As you age, the cellular proteins within your body can actually change form.
That can cause collagen to have trouble doing its job effectively.
Not only that, but your body won't produce as much collagen when you're older as it did when you were younger.
So, all of that combined can lead to a breakdown of cells, especially skin cells.
That collagen loss could mean a number of things.
Your skin might sag.
It might also become discolored.
The common thing, though, is for it to become wrinkled.
Nobody likes wrinkled skin, but what can you do about it? Vitamin C One great thing that you can do is get more vitamin C, either in your actual diet, in supplement form or, even better, in the form of a topical skin cream.
Vitamin C actually helps with the synthesis of collagen within the body.
Beyond that, though, vitamin C can fend off cell-damaging free radicals.
That's because it is an antioxidant.
Antioxidants are sort of like the protectors of the cells.
Sun Protection Another thing that you can do for yourself, in order to keep your collagen production at optimum levels, is to protect your body from sun damage.
The sun doesn't damage your skin cells visibly in a matter of minutes, other than temporary sunburns.
However, over a prolonged time, like months or years, the sun can do a lot of damage to your skin.
It can cause discoloration, wrinkles and even skin cancer.
The best way to protect yourself from the sun would be to stay out of it entirely, you might think.
However, it's actually good for your body to get some sun exposure.
Also, there are a lot of fun things that can only be done while out in the sun.
So, the better thing to do is just make sure that you wear sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and other sun protection, as needed.
Other Methods Some people say to sleep on your back if you want to keep your skin healthy.
Some even say to try to avoid doing too many facial movements or exercises.
While that may help a little, it's a much bigger help to simply lead a healthy life.
Collagen production will slow down drastically, if you smoke, drink excessively, do drugs or don't eat a healthy diet.
So, if you want to keep your skin healthy, keep your body healthy first.
Not only that, but it's the most common protein molecule.
It accounts for 25 to 35% of your body's protein.
Also, it is a connective tissue that binds your tendons, cartilage, skin and bones together.
Collagen, when combined with other substances, such as elastin, also gives your skin its stretchiness, smoothness and general young appearance.
Without collagen, your skin would be in very sorry shape.
Keratin is another important skin substance.
It stabilizes and strengthens the skin, when it works in tandem with collagen.
That's why many people consider collagen to be like "body glue.
" Without it, many of the body's vital systems and substances couldn't possibly function.
Collagen Loss As you age, the cellular proteins within your body can actually change form.
That can cause collagen to have trouble doing its job effectively.
Not only that, but your body won't produce as much collagen when you're older as it did when you were younger.
So, all of that combined can lead to a breakdown of cells, especially skin cells.
That collagen loss could mean a number of things.
Your skin might sag.
It might also become discolored.
The common thing, though, is for it to become wrinkled.
Nobody likes wrinkled skin, but what can you do about it? Vitamin C One great thing that you can do is get more vitamin C, either in your actual diet, in supplement form or, even better, in the form of a topical skin cream.
Vitamin C actually helps with the synthesis of collagen within the body.
Beyond that, though, vitamin C can fend off cell-damaging free radicals.
That's because it is an antioxidant.
Antioxidants are sort of like the protectors of the cells.
Sun Protection Another thing that you can do for yourself, in order to keep your collagen production at optimum levels, is to protect your body from sun damage.
The sun doesn't damage your skin cells visibly in a matter of minutes, other than temporary sunburns.
However, over a prolonged time, like months or years, the sun can do a lot of damage to your skin.
It can cause discoloration, wrinkles and even skin cancer.
The best way to protect yourself from the sun would be to stay out of it entirely, you might think.
However, it's actually good for your body to get some sun exposure.
Also, there are a lot of fun things that can only be done while out in the sun.
So, the better thing to do is just make sure that you wear sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and other sun protection, as needed.
Other Methods Some people say to sleep on your back if you want to keep your skin healthy.
Some even say to try to avoid doing too many facial movements or exercises.
While that may help a little, it's a much bigger help to simply lead a healthy life.
Collagen production will slow down drastically, if you smoke, drink excessively, do drugs or don't eat a healthy diet.
So, if you want to keep your skin healthy, keep your body healthy first.
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