Collagen is the primary structural protein that forms the matrix of your connective tissue and organs. Seventy-five percent of your skin is made of collagen. Wrinkles and sagging skin are some of the first signs of collagen breakdown in the body. Wrinkles can be a sign of collagen loss in other parts of the body as well. Bones, for instance are made of fifty percent collagen, though it is mineralized for strength. Your joints, ligaments and tendons are also highly abundent in collagen.

Hope-in-a-jar wrinkle creams can temporarily improve the look of skin, but nutrition offers a solution that can actually support natural collagen production throughout the body. If the signs of collagen breakdown are starting to stare back at you in the mirror, add these collagen building nutrients to your healthy supplement routine.

Collagen Peptides - Collagen is in the deeper layers of the skin, below the epidermis and dermis. Rather than topical application, research has demonstrated that oral ingestion of bioactive collagen peptides can suport natural collagen production from the inside out. Taking collagen peptides supports fibroblast cells (carpenter cells of new collagen) in the deep layers of the skin. This prompts fibroblasts to increase new collagen production in skin.

Hyaluronic Acid - Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a primary component of healthy skin. Declining skin levels of HA are associated with dryness, reduced flexibility, and wrinkles. In a study conducted at Ostuma University in Japan, 96 women, ages 22 to 65 years, were given 40mg of hyaluronic acid per day for 45 days. At the end of the study, 83 percent of the women reported improvement in skin moisture and smoothness. Keep in mind, low molecular weight, natural hyaluronic acid is the best type to supplement. Avoid synthetic sodium hyaluronate, as it does not provide the same benefits.

Grape Seed Extract - Grape seed extracts have a unique ability to attach themselves to collagen structures and strengthen them. The proanthocyanidins (OPC’s) in grape seed extract have a very high affinity for collagen and also lend powerful antioxidant protection to the skin to maintain its health.

MSM Sulfur - Sulfur has long been called “the beauty mineral” because it is highly concentrated in skin, hair, and nails. Collagen fibers are wrapped into a triple-stranded helix that forms a flexible, but strong, cord. Sulfur is required to form the disulfide bonds that hold collagen strands together and keep them strong.

Vitamin C - Scientists have known for some time that vitamin C is essential to the process in which collagen is made. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for skin health.

Getting enough of these nutrients that support healthy collagen production will not only help nourish your skin, but support connective tissues throughout the body.*