Collagen is a protein and is found in all body parts, including the largest organ of the body - the skin – and is made up of three strands of repeating amino acids coils coiling into the unique collagen triple helix. Various types of collagen are found in the body and are required to build new cellular structures – like skin – and to repair any damage caused. Types I, III and V are specific collagen types involved in the health of your skin.
Together with soft keratin, the collagen and elastin fibers are responsible for the strength and elasticity of the skin – and degradation of the collagen leads to aging and accompanying wrinkles.
With the onslaught of normal aging, the collagen in our skin is under attack from various factors that hasten the degradation of collagen. Sun tanning and sun exposure are two of the main culprits of collagen deterioration in our skin and inflammation also destroys collagen. Large amounts of free radicals – which are formed during normal body functions (oxidation), can also destroy collagen – and here a person can specifically look at pollution and toxins in your environment, toxic heavy metals, fat filled diet, high sugar intake as well as cigarette smoking and consuming alcohol.
A Finnish study found type I and III collagen synthesis is decreased and the regulation of the Extra Cellular Matrix turnover is altered in smokers, which may lead to deterioration of the tensile strength and resiliency of skin in the long term. So stop smoking unless you want to age rapidly and call us to help you get they heavy metals out of your body that are high due to the Cadmium in the cigarette paper. We can help you anti-age internally and externally.
While we’re on the point of cigarette smoking, it is important to note that the body requires vitamin C in order to make collagen. Without collagen, many things in your body will deteriorate at a hastened pace. Smoking kills off the ascorbic acid molecule. This molecule deficiency is one of the reasons smoker’s skin ages rapidly.
Excellent examples of vitamin C shortage and its effect on collagen are the old English sailors who suffered from scurvy, a shortage of vitamin C, on long voyages. Their bouts with scurvy resulted first in loose teeth and ultimately in death – since collagen could not be formed to keep the body together.
Although it may sound flippant to talk about physical appearance in the face of death, it would have been interesting to note the skin condition of these sailors – as a shortage of vitamin C would have shown very quickly in the tone and health of their skin.
Visit our website for more information, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.
