Our collagen reserves decrease with age, especially in 50-year-old women…
Drinking cures, cocktails, cosmetics, capsules…. No matter what form it takes, the 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 for 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.
Joint pain
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.
Loose and sunken skin
Dry, dehydrated and dull skin is the most visible sign of a lack of collagen: “the skin is composed of 28% proteinof which collagen is the majority“, he specifies. This drying of the skin is often accompanied by the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 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 to relax and widen in certain places“
The appearance of cellulite and stretch marks
If there is a lack of collagen, the skin is 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.
More frequent injuries
Tendinitis, dislocations, and sprains are more likely to occur if the body’s collagen decreases. “These consequences are not systematic, but there is an increase in risk.”
To compensate for a lack of collagen, it is recommended:
→ Enrich your diet with antioxidants, known to increase the body’s ability to secrete collagen
→ Avoid tobacco
→ To hydrate well from the outside like from the inside (drink water…)
→ Incorporate foods rich in natural collagen (salmon, eggs, sardines, oysters, etc.)
→ To supplement (with medical advice): external collagen has a dual action, it boosts collagen stocks and stimulates natural production.