Three ways to up your collagen intake to improve your skin and hair, relieve joint pain, treat leaky gut and much more

If you think collagen is merely an ingredient contained in beauty products, think again. This naturally occurring protein that gives your skin its strength, elasticity and glow is in fact found in many parts of your body - from your skin to your tendons to your bones!

However, as you age, your collagen levels deplete. (Yes, this is why young children have the softest, smoothest skin and most luscious hair!) The most obvious sign that your collagen production levels are declining? Your skin becomes to weaken and loses all of its plumpness.

Your dermis, or the second layer of your skin that's between your epidermis and hypodermis, is where collagen is found bundled together. You already know how important collagen is to your skin and hair health, but it's just as important to your nails and teeth, energy levels, joints and metabolism. Believe it or not, collagen can even help treat leaky gut!

To optimise your collagen intake and reap these incredible health benefits, try these top tips...

Three ways to boost your collagen production

#1: Take a collagen supplement
The easiest way to up your collagen intake is to take a collagen supplement, which comes in the form of capsules and powders. When choosing a collagen supplement, you should make sure it’s antibiotic- and chemical-free and that you get it from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows. Take two capsules or two tablespoons of powder with water in the morning and at night. If you’re using powdered collagen, you can use it as an anti-ageing smoothie ingredient too!

• Improve hair loss
• Encourage hair growth
• Repair damaged hair
• Even, prevent greying…

 
#2: Eat your vegetables
Leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, collards, asparagus and cabbage are chock-full of an essential antioxidant called lutein. These veggies are also high in collagen-producing agents. Ideally, you want to eat two cups of these leafy greens, whether cooked or raw, a day. Not only will they up your collagen levels, they’ll also provide your body with an abundance of vitamin C, which helps your body to produce and utilise collagen effectively.
 
#3: Sip on bone broth
In today’s age, we typically reject animal parts from the tendons, ligaments and skin. Back in the days of our ancestors, they ate everything – so it’s no wonder they had such great skin! These parts are brimming with collagen and can be incorporated into a delicious bone broth if the thought of eating them on their own makes you squirm. Make a large batch of bone broth, store it in jars or as ice cubes in the freezer to use later in cooking, or enjoy it in a mug whenever you feel like it!
 
PS: Go here for a tasty roasted chicken bone broth recipe.

Tags: collagen, collagen production, tips to boost collagen production, beautiful skin, healthy joints, leaky gut treatment, anti-ageing, anti-ageing tips