Our collagen reserves decrease with age, especially in 50-year-old women… and with these deficiencies comes a whole series of health problems. If you encounter them often, you might wonder about examining your collagen reserves.
Drinking cures, cocktails, cosmetics, capsules… No matter what form it takes, collagen is the big trend of the moment. A protein naturally present in the body, collagen ensures the cohesion and flexibility of our tissues, organs, joints and muscles. Unfortunately, over time, our bodies produce less and less collagen. “From the age of 25, the body’s cells will begin to slow down its production, at a rate of approximately 1.5% per year in the first years. Therefore, over the years, this reduction will accelerate. The consequences will arrive gradually“, specifies Maxime Barret, collagen specialist and co-founder of TWENTY DC offering nutricosmetics with collagen peptides. At the time of menopause (around age 50), collagen decreases drastically. External factors such as smoking or overexposure to UV rays can also impact collagen production. What happens when we run out of it? Here are 4 symptoms suggestive of a collagen deficiency.
Collagen (type II) is one of the components of cartilage in synovial joints, including the knee and elbow. “It allows the cartilage to be “viscous” enough to facilitate the sliding of the bone heads against each other“, continues the expert. In the event of a collagen deficiency, the cartilage becomes thinner, the sliding between the bones is less effective, shocks are less well absorbed and microlesions appear, thus accelerating the aging of the joints and the occurrence joint pain.
Dry, dehydrated and dull skin is the most visible sign of a lack of collagen: “the skin is made up of 28% proteins, of which collagen is the majority“, he specifies. This drying of the skin is often accompanied by the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. “Collagen acts directly in the layers of the epidermis: it gives resistance, flexibility and cohesion to tissue cells and contributes to their elasticity and hydration. Since collagen supports the epidermis less because its presence decreases, the skin tends to relax and hollow out in certain areas.“.
In the event of a lack of collagen, the skin is also more marked by cellulite and stretch marks. “Skin that is less elastic and resistant is more difficult to cope with changes in weight and stretch marks appear more easily.“, continues the specialist. Finally, tendonitis, dislocations, and sprains are more likely to occur if body collagen decreases. “These consequences are not systematic, but there is an increase in risk.”
To compensate for a lack of collagen, it is recommended to enrich your diet with antioxidants, known to increase the body’s ability to secrete collagen. You should also avoid tobacco and hydrate well from the outside as well as from the inside. (drink water…), integrate foods rich in natural collagen (salmon, eggs, sardines, oysters…). Finally, and with medical advice, you can consider taking supplements: external collagen has a dual action, it boosts collagen stocks and stimulates natural production.