What is Collagen and What Is It Good For?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for about one-third of its protein composition.
Collagen is the protein that gives skin its structure, suppleness, and stretch. There are many types of collagen, but our body mainly consists of type 1, 2, and 3. As we age, we produce less collagen in our skin — hence the tendency toward wrinkles and thinning skin we see the older we get.
How to Build Collagen Naturally Vegan Way
Eating collagen-rich foods or foods that boost collagen production may also help create the building blocks (amino acids) you need for your skin goals. “There are three amino acids important for collagen synthesis: proline, lysine, and glycine
You can help your body preserve and protect collagen by avoiding behaviors that damage it. These include eating excessive amounts of sugar, smoking, and getting sunburned.
Interestingly, the foods and nutrients you eat can help your body make this protein. Alternatively, collagen supplements may be beneficial.
Plant Based Foods That Help Boost Collagen Naturally
A diet rich in healthy plant foods gives your body the nutrients it needs to thrive. Eating a diet rich in plant-based variety helps defend your body against environmental and health factors that can ultimately affect your collagen production.
To boost the collagen naturally- “eat the rainbow”. Dark green veggies like spinach, kale and collard greens are rich in vitamin C. Red veggies like peppers, tomatoes and beets are high in lycopene. Orange veggies like carrots, bell peppers and sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A. Getting a variety of plants in your diet is key for a healthy body and therefore for your collagen production too.
16 Food to Boost Skin Health
- Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Berries
- Citrus Fruits
- Tropical Fruits
- Soy Products: tempeh, tofu, and soy protein.
- Garlic
- Beans, Legumes
- Nuts: pistachio, peanut, and cashew
- Seeds: especially pumpkin, squash, sunflower, and chia.
- Cilantro
- Aloe vera
- Ginseng
- Algae
Another way to get the benefits of collagen as a vegan is to take individual amino acid supplements. These are what many vegan-friendly companies sell instead of pure collagen supplements.
Read: All About Collagen Supplements
Vegan collagen options:
1. Vital Proteins Collagen Powder Hydrolyzed Peptides Supplement (Type I, III) for Skin Hair Nail Joint – Non-GMO Dairy/Gluten Free
2. PlantFusion Collagen Beauty Plant Peptides Powder | Vegan Collagen Supplement for Skin Hydration, Elasticity, and More Glowing and Youthful Skin
Dr. Lisa Pruett introduces a new way to build collagen in the face using Morpheus8. Morpheus 8 is a device that is designed to combine microneedling and radio frequency to achieve deep fractional remodeling.
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