Prevention is better than cure. You understand this and are curious if your body is lacking collagen or not? You are in the right place.

Collagen is the most found protein in bodies that plays an important role in maintaining structure of different organs including skin, hair, joints, muscles etc. But aging makes us lose our collagen. It is important to understand the early signs of low collagen as it helps support your body’s health and youthfulness. 

Signs of Low Collagen

Here are the 5 main signs you may experience with collagen deficiency.

• Joint Pain

Collagen is basically a crucial component of cartilage that keeps our movements flexible. When collagen depletes from our bodies, the structure and function of cartilage also gets affected. It leads to stiffness, inflammation and discomfort during movements.

If you are in your early thirties or above and have started feeling pain in joints while climbing stairs or standing or sitting for a longer period of time give you stiff joints? You might be experiencing one of the earliest signs of collagen deficiency. 

• Dry Skin

Collagen makes up 90 percent of our skin’s protein. It keeps your skin hydrated, plump and youthful. However, with age, when it starts reducing,  our skin may feel tight, flaky or dehydrated. 

You may also wonder where that natural glow is gone, leaving you looking tired. Though moisturizers provide temporary relief, it is important to address the root cause: collagen deficiency.

• Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Did you notice those fine lines around your mouth or eyes when you smile? It is one of the commonest low collagen symptoms. Collagen makes our skin look firm and maintains its structure. 

As we age, our skin starts sagging and aging symptoms become more visible. Before these expression lines deepen and your face may appear less full and bouncy, it’s time to take the right steps to avoid further damage.  

• Thinning Hair or Hair Loss 

Are you noticing more hair in the shower drain or your brush than usual? Hair thinning can be one of the collagen deficiency symptoms.

Collagen surrounds and protects hair follicles. It helps them stay nourished and strong. When our collagen levels dip, it weakens hair strands, making them brittle and fall excessively. 

• Weakness in Muscles 

Collagen also supports muscle tissue and helps maintain their strength and flexibility. If you feel muscle weakness, or soreness after a long workout, you may be experiencing low collagen levels in your body. General fatigue or that “not feeling like doing anything” may also be due to the same reason. 

Reasons For Low Collagen 

Our bodies start producing less collagen after we reach our mid twenties. However, there are also other factors that speed up the process of collagen decline. Some of the factors are 

• Prolonged Sun exposure
• Smoking and alcohol
• Poor diet
• Stress and lack of sleep
• Hormonal changes (especially during perimenopause and menopause)

For example, the drop in estrogen during peri menopause can affect collagen synthesis dramatically. Studies show that women can lose up to 30% of their collagen in the first five years after menopause.

Can You Reverse or Slow Collagen Loss?

Though you can’t fully prevent collagen loss, you can slow it down by supporting your body’s natural collagen production. 

Here are a few useful tips. 

• Eat a collagen-supportive diet: Eat  protein-rich foods including fish, chicken, eggs, legumes, and bone broth. Include vitamin C (found in citrus fruits and leafy greens), which is essential for collagen synthesis.
  
• Take collagen supplements: Multi collagen peptides can help replenish collagen stores. Look for hydrolyzed collagen for better absorption.
  
• Use topical skincare with collagen boosters: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, and vitamin C can help improve skin’s texture and hydration.
  
• Protect your skin from UV rays: Daily SPF use is a must, even on cloudy days.
  
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Reduce stress, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking or excess alcohol.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the signs of low collagen and taking the right steps at the right time can help you stay healthy and youthful for a longer period of time. Collagen doesn’t just impact your skin, hair and nails, it plays a crucial role in bone, joint and muscle health. However, a healthy diet, lifestyle changes and collagen supplementation can help you maintain healthy collagen levels. So, pay attention to these signals. Your body might be asking for a collagen boost and now you know exactly what to look for. Vitauthority provides beneficial collagen products that enhance your body health and give you a healthy life.

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