Sunday, March 28, 2010

8 Foods that Boost Collagen

Orange Vegetables:

Restore & Regenerate

Vegetables that are orange in color, like carrots and sweet potatoes, are rich in Vitamin A, which restores and regenerates damaged collagen.

White Tea:
Supports Structure

According to research conducted by Kingston University & Neal's Yard Remedies, white tea may protect the structural proteins of the skin, specifically collagen. It's believed to prevent enzyme activity that breaks down collagen, contributing to lines and wrinkles.

Berries
Ward off Damage

Blackberries and rasperries scavenge free radicals while simultaneously increasing collagen levels.

Water-Rich Vegetables
Key for Collagen Production

Vegetables like cucumber and celery have a high sulfur content, which is important in collagen production. Collagen can't be produced if sulfur isn't present.

Dark Green Vegetables
Rev up Collagen Production

Rich in vitamin C, dark green vegatables like spinach and kale can rev up collagen production. In topical products, vitamin C has antioxidizing properties that stabilize the messenger enzymes that break collagen dow. It also protects against free radicals to prevent weak collagen.

Fish
Creates Stronger Cells

Fish like Tuna and Salmon are loaded with Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Skin cells are surrounded by fatty membrane that protects them. When the cells are healthy, they are able to support structure of the skin.

Soy
Blocks aging

Whether sourced from soy milk, cheese, or tofu, soy contains genistein (plant hormones that serve as antioxidants) which prompts collagen production and helps block enzyme, like MMPs (Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are underappreciated players in the skin physiology. MMP are a special subclass of the so-called proteolytic enzymes or proteases, the enzymes whose function is to break down other proteins into recyclable fragments) that can age the skin.

Red Vegetables
Natural Form of SPF

Tomatoes, peppers, and beets contain the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene also acts as a natural sun block, protecting the skin from damage while increasing collagen levels.





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