Boost Collagen | Crepey skin, shrinking muscles, stiffer ligaments, gastrointestinal issues, and joint pain, if you are experiencing these symptoms you could be in need of more collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, found in your muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, organs, blood vessels, skin, intestinal lining and connective tissues. Collagen naturally declines with age, however the other main reason for decreased collagen levels in your body is poor diet. Low levels of collagen affect more than just your skin, it affects your muscles, ligaments, and even your gut. However, in order for your body to create collagen it needs the proper nutrients. This article will cover the top ways to naturally boost collagen.
Creating collagen
Your body creates collagen by combining amino acids from nutrient rich foods. In order to make collagen your body requires protein, vitamin C, zinc, and copper. Protein rich foods such as dairy products, beef, chicken, fish, beans, and eggs are excellent sources. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, broccoli, green and red peppers, tomatoes, and other greens. Mineral rich foods that contain zinc and copper can easily be found in whole grains, shellfish, nuts, meats, and beans.
The best foods for creating collagen
On top of eating nutrient rich foods, one of the best ways to boost collagen naturally is to drink bone broth. Bone broth has gained a lot of popularity recently, making it fairly easy to find in grocery stores. However, bone broth is also very easy to make at home. To make bone broth, all you need are bones from beef, chicken or fish, and water. Standard bone broth recipes require you to slowly simmer the bones over your stove top, crockpot, or pressure cooker.
Bone broth draws out the collagen from beef, chicken or fish bones. What’s left is a nutritious, delicious, flavorful liquid that can you either drink or use in other dishes. Whether you buy or cook your own bone broth, it is recommended that the bones used to create the broth be from organically raised animals. Organic bone broth does not contain pesticides, antibiotics, and other contaminants. You don’t want to be drinking broth that contains anything that can be harmful to your body.
Consider foods first
Food should always be considered first over supplements because the bioavailability of nutrients found in food are greater than they are in supplements. However, as you age your body may not be as efficient in absorbing nutrients. Therefore, changing your diet or taking a dietary supplement may be beneficial.
Collagen is an important protein, and does more than just keep you looking younger. Low levels of collagen could be the cause of your gut issues, ligament pain or muscle pain. If you are experiencing symptoms related to low levels of collagen consider a consult with a doctor of natural medicine Overland Park, KS, who can assist you. As a specialist in functional medicine, the best treatment plan will be created to help improve your overall health.
About the author
Dr. Corey Priest has been practicing functional medicine since 2001. in2GREAT was founded in 2014 by Dr Priest after 13 years of experience with his other practices. Over his career, Dr. Priest has worked with and helped well over 10,000 patients under a functional medicine model.