COLLAGEN
Collagen is the wrinkle-preventing
protein. It occurs naturally in our
bodies and works tirelessly to keep
our skin plump and youthful (as well
as strengthening all connective tissue
throughout the body).
“Collagen is a protein that gives
support to tissues and together
with elastin keeps the skin looking
young. Over the years, we produce
less of both, hence less firm and elastic
skin,” says Dr Roex-Haitjema.
Around the age of 20, we produce
around one per cent less collagen in the
skin every year. As a result, skin becomes
thinner and more fragile. To tackle this,
we’ve seen the rise of collagen drinks,
supplements and powders, which
promise increased collagen levels and a
reduction in wrinkles. Not surprisingly,
most are produced from the collagen-
rich bones, skin and connective tissue of
cattle, fish, horses, pigs, and/or rabbits.
The ‘eat collagen to increase collagen’
pitch may be as much of a myth as
‘eating fat makes you fat’ though.
“If you consume proteins –
collagen is a protein, enzymes are
proteins – your body will break them
down to their smallest units called
amino acids. This happens in the
small intestine. These amino acids are
then absorbed into the bloodstream
and our body puts them back together
into proteins – our own proteins.
Therefore, the idea that eating certain
enzymes (or proteins) is more healthy
does not really make much sense; we
will break them down and then make
our own,” says Dr Roex-Haitjema.
“We do not ‘take in’ collagen
as such; it is not in food, but there
are foods with components that
promote collagen production such as
carotenoids in the orange-coloured
plant foods, vitamin C and certain
amino acids.”
The amino acids that promote
collagen production include glycine,
proline and hydroxyproline. Vegan
food sources of hydroxyproline
include carob seeds and alfalfaEAT
Legumes: Chickpeas
Greens: Broccoli, spinach, green
beans and alfalfa sprouts
Fruits: Blueberries, strawberries,
goji berries and kiwi fruit
Citrus fruits: Lemons and oranges
Seeds: Carob, pumpkin, chia,
hemp, sunflower and flaxseeds
Nuts: Peanuts, walnuts and chestnuts
Chlorellasprouts, while sources of proline
include cabbage, soy, chickpeas,
alfalfa sprouts and peanuts. Sources
of glycine include legumes, pumpkin
seeds, sesame seeds, whole grains and
nuts. Consuming adequate protein
daily is essential for healthy skin, hair
and nails the recommended daily
allowance (RDA) being 0.8 grams of
protein per kilogram of body weight.
As well as supporting the process of
collagen formation, vitamin C reduces
oxidative damage, so add broccoli,
spinach, strawberries, goji berries and
kiwi fruits to your shopping list.
Sulpher-rich foods including beans,
cabbage and garlic aid the collagen
formation process and help to maintain
skin’s natural, healthy pigmentation.
One of the easiest ways to boost
collagen production is hydration,
as collagen and elastin both need
optimum hydration levels to thrive.
Water, plant foods and skincare that
promote hydration levels are ideal.
In terms of topical collagen
enhancers, both retinoic acid and
retinol have the ability to ‘turn on’
genes and cells involved in collagen
production. Also, look for the word
‘peptides’ when shopping for skincare.
These compounds act as messengers,
telling cells to ramp up the collagen.TOPICAL
BOOSTERS
REN Vita Mineral
Omega 3 Serum Oil
$46, mecca.com.auLa Mav Omega-3
Advanced Night
Repair Crème
$49.95, lamav.comAntipodes Hosanna H20
Intensive Skin-Plumping
Serum $54,
antipodesnature.comVanessa Megan
Marine Collagen
Anti-Ageing
Night Cream
$34.95,
vanessamegan.com94 | AUSTRALIAN NATURAL HEALTH naturalhealthmag.com.au