4 Telltale Signs You Lack Collagen

Telltale Signs You Lack Collagen – Collagen is the most significant protein in the human body, and it’s part of our connective tissues that give structure to skin, bones, and other significant features of the human body. Collagen is also responsible for knitting our internal organs, blood vessels, and joints together.

When collagen levels are low, fine lines and wrinkles appear over time. Skin can become dry, thin, and fragile. The high collagen content of youthful skin gives way to a significantly decreased quantity with age, thereby increasing the risk for skin disorders. Below are some of the telltale signs that you lack collagen.

This isn’t always a picture of old age. The above picture is of my sister in her early 30’s. Notice that her skin is still young and healthy looking, even though she is 32 years old. This means that she lacks collagen and has many signs of aging.

1. Wrinkling

We all know that our skin loses collagen as we age, and fine lines become more visible on our faces. The fine lines and wrinkles we can see indicate collagen damage brought on by a lack of hyaluronic acid and elastin, two proteins that hold the skin together. When the proteins no longer hold the skin together, the thin, delicate layers peel away and create visible signs of aging.

Elastin, which keeps our joints strong and flexible, can also be affected by age. The loss of elastin leads to sagging skin under the jaw. The cheeks can appear hollow as the skin loses its elasticity. It is also a sign that collagen levels are low. The delicate skin structures that keep our faces smooth, supple and youthful diminish with age. The skin becomes wrinkled, dull, and saggy. It is a signal that the skin’s collagen content has decreased significantly, which is why we see wrinkles appear on our faces with age.

How to rebuild collagen in the face: Consume collagen-rich foods such as seafood and red meats. Drink lots of water, which hydrates the skin. To help the skin retain moisture and collagen content, stay hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day.

2. Joint pain

If you are starting to feel joint pain, your body is an excellent chance to lack collagen. The loss of collagen weakens the joints – especially the knees, ankles, shoulders, and hips. What appears as tendonitis can be attributed to a lack of collagen in the joints.

Collagen also strengthens ligaments, supporting bones and preventing them from slipping out of place. Without enough collagen in your ligaments, chances are you will have difficulty moving as freely as you once did or feel pain when carrying out everyday activities such as climbing stairs or carrying groceries.

Depending on which joints are affected, the pain you feel can be sharp and very uncomfortable. The pain indicates that your body lacks collagen, which needs to be replenished to avoid further joint damage. Replenishing collagen levels in the body will strengthen your connective tissues and prevent further joint damage and pain.

3. Cellulite

The skin contains collagen, which keeps it firm, smooth and tight. Cellulite appears when collagen levels are low and fat builds up between the skin and muscle cells. When the fat is trapped, it builds up unevenly under the skin and creates a bulge that gives the skin an orange peel appearance.

Cellulite is related to a lack of collagen in the dermis, adipose tissue, or fat in our bodies. The body produces approximately 80% of its natural collagen by age 25, but it slowly declines with age as we lose approximately 10% every decade after age 30. Women’s skin begins to show cellulite after age 30, regardless of weight. The fat that accumulates under the skin is an indication that collagen levels are low and need to be replenished.

Cellulite can be alleviated and treated using a variety of treatments. One way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to replace lost collagen by taking collagen supplements. The body naturally produces a certain amount of collagen, but as we age, we need to increase our collagen intake for it to be replenished. Collagen supplements will strengthen the skin and prevent further cellulite build-up.

4. Digestive problems

Losing collagen is also a sign that your digestive system is not working correctly. As we age, our bodies produce less hydrochloric acid, the main digestive enzyme that breaks down protein and starches. The body produces less hydrochloric acid as we age because it requires a certain amount of collagen to make it. When our bodies don’t get enough collagen, the lack of hydrochloric acid begins to show itself in how digestion works.

People with diabetes and poor digestion often suffer from poor levels of hydrochloric acid, which can cause pain in the liver, gallbladder, and stomach. It can cause various symptoms, most commonly heartburn, bloating, and gas. Poor digestion is also a sign that your body is not producing enough collagen to make enough hydrochloric acid.

The best way to protect your digestive enzymes is by eating foods rich in collagen. Collagen prevents the breakdown of protein and starches, which prevents the body from producing hydrochloric acid. Foods such as chicken, salmon, bison meat, venison, and mackerel are great examples of foods that contain a high amount of collagen – so you can enjoy them with no intestinal distress.

Conclusion

The signs that you lack collagen are visible on the skin, but they can also be found in other body areas. Collagen is responsible for building collagen into our connective tissues, giving structure to our joints and bones, and supporting all other tendons, ligaments, and nerves in the body. As we age, we lose collagen, and it’s essential to properly nourish your body with foods rich in collagen to prevent further damage to your organs and connective tissues. You can prevent wrinkles from appearing with a proper diet and supplementation that includes a high dosage of collagen.