How to get more collagen into our bodies

We all know a little about collagen. Infants and young people have record levels of the stuff – hence their gorgeous soft, smooth skin. Old people, in contrast, have low levels, which is why wrinkles and sagging skin occurs. This is probably one of the reasons that they say that youth is wasted on the young.

But to get more on the topic, we checked with the wonderful Dr Mercola, who gave us the insight on how to get more collagen into our bodies as our natural reserves wane.

Collagen is the most abundant of your body’s proteins, found in your connective tissues, muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels and digestive system, and it comprises 70 percent of your skin’s protein

By your mid-20s, the collagen in your body starts to diminish, and by the time you reach your 80s, you have around four times less collagen, which explains sagging skin and wrinkles

Environmental factors like pollution and lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition can diminish collagen production, more quickly reducing your skin’s elasticity and aging your bones and joints

Bone broth is considered a bona fide superfood, as collagen leaches out of the bones as it cooks down, bringing healing benefits, soothing achy bones and muscles, fighting infection and inflammation and improving your skin

However, bone broth doesn’t suit everyone’s diets, so a couple of other food types where you can source collagen from are:

Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, it helps provide your body and your skin with additional support

Berries, such as blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, help protect your skin from damage from free radicals and also increase collagen

Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes, with high amounts of vitamin C, help the amino acids lysine and proline convert to collagen

Garlic contains sulfur, a necessary component for collagen production, but it also contains lipoic acid and taurine to help rebuild damaged collagen fibers

Dark green veggies like kale, spinach and beet greens are said to “rev up” collagen production and protect against free radicals

And you can apply it topically. Thalgo Collagen Cream is an anti-ageing moisturiser perfect for mature skin.

The Thalgo Collagen cream is a fine daily cream to smooth first wrinkles and fine lines and moisturise skin. Fine lines appear diminished day after day from the moment this smoothing, highly moisturising cream is applied. This cream helps prolong and preserve the skin’s youthful look.

Apply morning and/or evening to thoroughly cleansed skin, either on its own or after the Collagen Concentrate.

Key ingredients:

• Native Marine Collagen
• Fragmented Collagen + Soy Extract