The Importance of Collagen in Our Bodies by Chef Whitni

Today I want to talk about collagen. Unfortunately, as we age our bodies get depleted of so many nutrients and other vitally important things that keep us moving and happy with ourselves. Lacking in collagen hits home in a big way for me because I’ve always had beautiful skin, people have always commented on my skin, and now it’s what I dislike most about myself when I look in the mirror.  I’ve been looking closely for a supplement to help me restore the collagen levels I need to improve elasticity, vibrancy, and hydration. I came across the top 10 collagen killers, which I will talk about, but first, here are some facts about collagen from Dr. Axe: ​

•  The typical woman can expect to lose about 1 to 2 percent of her body’s collagen every year 
• This loss typically begins in the mid-30s 
• This rate increases as a person hits 40, 50 and beyond 
• By the time a woman reaches 40 years old, she will likely have lost 10 to 20 percent of her total collagen 
• A woman in her 50s will have significantly less collagen available than she did in her teens, 20s or 30s 
• Collagen production in an 80-year-old is up to 75 percent less than someone 30 or younger 

 
10 Surprising Collagen Killers 

• Poor sleep 
• Excess sugar consumption 
• Injuries and unhealthy joints 
• High cortisol from emotional stress 
• Sun overexposure 
• Diet low in antioxidants 
• Sitting all day and lack of activity 
• Poor gut health 
• Nutrient shortfalls of vitamin C and zinc 
• Free radicals 

The Top 5 Collagen Boosters 

• Chicken Bone Broth (preferably simmered for 48 hours with bones, along with tendons and ligaments for the most collagen) 
• Adaptogenic herbs, including Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Ginseng and Fo-Ti 
• Vitamin C-rich foods including kiwi, citrus, camu camu, broccoli, bell peppers and kale. 
• Sulfur-rich foods including garlic, onions, egg yolks and cruciferous vegetables 
• Antioxidant-rich herbs, spices and foods including turmeric, rosemary, green tea, acai and goji berries 

 
This is why I’ve decided to take a multi-collagen protein supplement and I can’t wait to get started and see what it does for my joints and skin. Being able to move freely without pain and to restore the most important organ in my body, my skin, is very important to me. It is just as important as what goes into my mouth to fuel my body and give it the nutrition it needs. I can’t wait to see what results I will get and will keep you posted if it works.