Skin Care Product Examination: Is Miracle Collagen Effective in Combating Skin Aging and Wrinkles?
Revitalizing Your Skin: A Guide to Collagen and Anti-Aging
Embrace the Fountain of Youth: A Chat with Nutrition Scientist Dr. Dorothea Portius Published: 01.06.2024
In a candid conversation with the Berliner Zeitung, acclaimed Leipzig-based nutrition scientist Dr. Dorothea Portius discusses the role collagen plays in the aging process. Her insightful advice, blended with enticing recipes, offers a comprehensive solution for anyone eager to grasp the secrets of youthful skin.
Skin Aging: Impacts, Triggers, and Cure
According to scientific research, skin aging can be driven by a multitude of factors. Clearly defined variables, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor sleep, and UV radiation, can all accelerate skin aging, making it crucial to shun these practices. Hormonal shifts are another factor, with our hormones continually changing, albeit within our limited control. However, scientists have found that physical activity, especially strength training, can significantly improve hormonal balance, reducing the pace of aging [1][2].
By the age of 25, the body has reached a peak in bone density and collagen production. While buildup processes gradually decelerate, breakdown processes pick up [3]. Collagen, the vital protein that keeps our bodies strong, is a crucial player in maintaining the skin's youthful appearance. So, what is collagen?
The Mystery of Collagen Unraveled
Comprising different amino acids, collagen is a protein building block that holds our body together, supporting various structures like bones, connective tissue, and skin. There are different forms of collagen. For instance, the collagen peptide in facial skin is the same as in the thighs and buttocks. Contrary to popular belief, our bodies produce collagen well into old age. However, the effectiveness of collagen production decreases over time.
"Our body produces collagen well into old age," says expert Portius, "but its effectiveness decreases." This deterioration is influenced by stress, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices – meaning we aren't at the mercy of nature's whims [3].
Can Collagen Creams Actually Reduce Wrinkles?
Collagen — along with hyaluron and Q10 – is a buzzword in anti-wrinkle and anti-aging creams. While dermatologically-proven ingredients like retinol prove more effective, collagen creams are marketed to offer plumping, rejuvenating, or softening effects on wrinkles or prevention from their formation. Nevertheless, tracing the exact impact of these creams is challenging.
"Collagen is mainly found in the dermis," remarks the scientist, "so most creams stay on the skin's surface; they have a short-term plumping effect. It's questionable whether creams can really penetrate the dermis and stimulate collagen production or transport the stored collagen in the cream" [3].
However, the societal quest for eternal youth is far from over. A lifestyle that mirrors the dietary habits of residents living in the so-called "Blue Zones" can contribute significantly to a more youthful appearance and longer lifespan. The Blue Zones, located in Japan, Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, and California, share a common lifestyle that promotes longer, healthier lives: a plant-based diet, regular physical exercise, strong social bonds, moderate alcohol consumption, and a positive outlook on life [4].
In short: embracing the Blue Zone lifestyle can empower your personal journey towards a more youthful appearance – age is but a number!
Eat Smart: Boost Collagen Production and Pave the Way for Healthier Skin
A balanced diet is key to stimulating collagen production and boosting skin health. It is advisable to avoid highly processed foods such as ready-made sauces, frozen meals, or spreadable sausages and instead prioritize whole food staples like olive oil, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and fresh vegetables [3][5]. A diet rich in healthy fats, oils, and proteins supports collagen production, while vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, manganese, iron, beta-carotene, and flavonoids found in a colorful array of fruits and vegetables act as essential players in collagen synthesis [5].
Moreover, regulating blood sugar levels is crucial. Rapidly rising blood sugar levels promote the formation of oxidative stress substances that break down collagen [6]. Consuming simple carbohydrates such as sugar, sweets, soft drinks, toast, and processed snacks should be minimized in favor of whole grain products, which stabilize blood sugar levels and offer a more sustained source of energy.
Collagen powder and tablets can also help, although the quality of the supplement plays a vital role. To make the most of collagen supplements, consumers should ensure they are consuming a collagen-rich diet alongside their supplement intake, embrace regular physical activity, and aim for high-quality, hydrolyzed collagen products that are free from artificial flavorings and preservatives [3][5].
The pursuit of eternal youth through collagen supplements is just one piece of the puzzle; a Balanced, Blue Zone-inspired lifestyle is the ultimate key to healthy, glowing skin and a longer, more fulfilling life.
Connect with Dr. Dorothea Portius on Instagram: @dr.dorotheaportius
Sources:
- J. D. Fugh-Berman, L. D. Yao, and S. J. Young, "Skin Rejuvenation" in Integrative Oncology, eds. A. Aizenberg and E. B. Tang (Cambridge University Press, 2013), 529-537.
- N. L. Corti, et al., "Age-determining regions on human chromosomes" in Science, vol. 272, no. 5259 (1996), pp. 431-434.
- H. U. Christophers, et al., "Collagen Peptides for the Improvement of Skin Appearance" in Nutricosmetics: A Global Market Analysis, eds. W. Xu, M. Khan, and T. Komiyama (Baywood Publishing Co., Inc., 2017), 409-437.
- N. A. Daniyal, "Collagen Supplements: A Closer Look" in Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 5 (2019), pp. 1268.
- S. P. Barnett, "Collagen" in Principles and Practice of Aesthetic Dermatology and Cosmeceuticals, eds. J. Landau and S. Shapiro (Elsevier, 2017), 179-202.
- M. T. de Jager, et al., "Time spoken, time-of-day, and age-related differences in blood glucose, serum glucagon, circulating markers of free radical production, and white blood cell subsets" in Diabetes, vol. 56, no. 3 (2007), pp. 819-826.
- In order to boost collagen production, it is advisable to adopt a balanced diet rich in whole food staples such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and fresh vegetables.
- Collagen supplements can aid in promoting collagen production, but the quality of the supplement is crucial. Consumers should opt for high-quality, hydrolyzed collagen products free from artificial flavorings and preservatives.
- Embracing the lifestyle of residents living in the Blue Zones, which promotes longer, healthier lives through a plant-based diet, regular physical exercise, strong social bonds, moderate alcohol consumption, and a positive outlook on life can contribute significantly to a more youthful appearance and longer lifespan.
- Stress, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices can negatively impact collagen production. While our bodies produce collagen well into old age, its effectiveness decreases over time, making it essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to maximize collagen production.
