Take your skin care to the next level!
What foods are high in collagen?
Orange produce like carrots and sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, which restores collagen that’s been damaged. Omega-3-rich fish like mackerel, salmon and tuna along with grass-fed meat (which is also high in omega-3) protect the fatty membrane around skin cells.
A smart way for vegetarians and vegans to support collagen production is to eat fruits and vegetables plentiful in collagen-boosting nutrients.
Did you know that Without a sufficient supply of vitamin C, your body can’t make new collagen? Period. No matter how much glycine and proline you have. And unlike these conditional amino acids, your body can’t make vitamin C. Thus, you must get it from food.
First and foremost is stress. Stress wreaks havoc on your body in countless ways. One of them is by generating free radicals and causing inflammation and oxidative stress. All of which have the potential to destroy your collagen and your skin will start to age faster.
What are plant-based sources of these collagen boosting amino acids?
Both glycine and proline are considered “conditional” amino acids, which means if conditions are ideal, our bodies are able to create them internally.
Best sources of glycine:
- Banana
- Beans
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Kale
- Kiwi
- Pumpkin
- Spinach
Best sources of proline:
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Buckwheat
- Cabbage
- Cucumber
- Chives
- Tempeh
- Watercress
- White mustard seeds
- Lysine: This amino acid is also required for collagen synthesis. And, it’s one you must pay close attention to because it isn’t as readily available in plant foods like the nutrients discussed above.
So be sure to stock up on the following items to ensure your lysine intake is on par:
- Black Beans
- Kidney Beans
- Lentils
- Lima beans
- Pistachios
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin seeds
- Tempeh
- Quinoa
- Garlic: This powerful herb contains lipoic acid and taurine, both of which repair damaged collagen. Garlic is also a good source of sulfur, which is a major player in collagen synthesis.
Are you ready to boost your collagen?
Another collagen boosting smoothie combination is pineapple, cucumber, kale, and banana. Yummy!
