Our modern diets are leaving us high and dry when it comes to collagen.
Collagen is a protein that occurs naturally in animals and can be found in connective tissue, ligaments and bones. Industrial farming and our preference for skinless, boneless and fatless cuts of meat mean we're not getting the same amount of collagen that our ancestors once did.
And while we're consuming less collagen-dense foods we're also eating more foods that breakdown our collagen stores. Packaged foods and processed sugars don't make friends with collagen.
Check out the reasons below to see if you could be collagen deficient:
REASON #1 You don't consume bone broth regularly
We loooove bone broth when we're feeling under the weather. This nutrient-rich superfood is an incredible source of collagen. But if you're looking to actively rebuild your collagen stores, a bone broth here and there isn't going to cut it.
Consistent collagen consumption is the best way to ensure you're not only replenishing collagen in your body, but that you're actually teaching your body to start producing collagen on it's own again.
REASON #2 You drink alcohol
The absolutely savage news? Alcohol is actually one of the worst, most aggressive compounds for your skin. Extremely dehydrating, alcohol takes much of the fluid out of your skin. It's also highly inflammatory, leading to skin redness.
When you do drink, water is your best friend. Try adding half a teaspoon of Celtic salt to your morning glass of water too. It contains 34 trace minerals which will help to replenish and rehydrate your body.
REASON #3 You're eating foods that contain processed sugars
Your skin is supported by evenly aligned collagen fibres. Imagine your collagen as a strong soccer goal net. It bounces back easily when a ball hits it.
When we consume too much sugar, "sticky" compounds called AEGs are formed, which act to cross-link collagen fibres. Just like a tangled net loses it's ability to bounce back, cross-linked collagen loses it's elasticity. Hello skin sagging and wrinkles.
REASON #4 You're not a big fan of bone marrow
Bone marrow is rich in collagen. But if you're anything like us, you're probably not gnawing away on bones for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the benefits of consuming bone marrow include decreased inflammation, better skin health, and improved joint function, you can also enjoy these benefits by supplementing with a high quality collagen supplement like Ritual Collagen.
REASON #5 You're not catching enough ZzZs
They call it beauty sleep for a reason.
Your body repairs itself and recovers while you snooze. This leads to a long list of benefits, including the fact that your skin gets to work making new collagen while you sleep.
Studies show that getting only 5 hours sleep a night can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping 7 would. It also leaves skin drier, which can make lines more visible.
The easiest and most efficient way to ensure your body is receiving enough collagen everyday is by using a high quality bovine collagen supplement. Research shows that just 5 grams a day can help to naturally rebuild collagen stores in the body.