You might be wondering, what age is best to start taking collagen supplements?
Should you start pre-wrinkles, or have you left it too late?
It's a fair question, and if you want to keep your youthful vitality, health specialists recommend taking collagen supplements as early as possible.
As you age, your collagen levels decline. This is a natural occurrence, and it comes with a number of issues commonly associated with the natural ageing process.
These include…
- Joint pain
- Wrinkles
- Weaker bones
- Lower energy levels
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Brittle nails
- Thinning hair
- Weight gain
Collagen supplements and collagen-rich foods can help to support your body's collagen levels.
So if you’re thinking about taking a supplement, it’s important to know how to get the best out of it. Is now the best time or should you wait until you’re older?
Here, we explore the reasons why it’s a good idea to start taking collagen supplements right away.
What does collagen do?
Collagen is made of amino acids and is the biggest protein in your body. It makes up around 30% of your protein content and is the most abundant protein in your body.
It’s essential for the health of your skin, bones, organs, ligaments, tissues, and tendons.
Collagen comes with a treasure trove of health benefits, including…
- Keeping your skin in great condition, reducing wrinkles and supporting skin hydration and strength
- Making sure your joints are strong, relieving joint pain, and reducing the risk of issues such as osteoarthritis
- Supporting your heart health. Giving structure to your blood vessels and arteries
- Keeping your bones strong, preventing weakening associated with ageing
- Helping to heal wounds by supporting new tissue growth
- Assisting in muscle building and preventing muscle loss
- Protecting vital organs in your body
- Boosting your immunity
When your collagen levels start to decline, it can no longer support your health in the same way.
At what age do you start to lose collagen?
When you think of someone with low collagen levels, it’s possible to picture it happening later on in life. But the fact is, your body will start to lose collagen as early as your mid-20s.
It starts to decline more rapidly as you get older, and it can be a real confidence crusher.
Collagen decline in your 20s
The decline is at a rate of around 2% per year, and while the signs won’t be so noticeable when you’re very young, you are likely to be aware of some of them.
In your mid-twenties you'll notice subtle changes in your physical appearance, and the texture of your skin and hair are likely.
What you can do: Taking a collagen supplement in your 20s will help to delay the signs of premature ageing.
Collagen decline in your 30s and 40s
Lower collagen levels in your body can be expected in your 30s and 40s and the signs will be more noticeable.
Your skin loses collagen at this age and changes to your skin's elasticity will be likely as wrinkles start to form. You may also find that you have lost some of the strength and energy you had in your 20s, and need to exercise more to keep your fitness levels up.
What you can do: Taking a collagen supplement in your 30s and 40s will help to slow down the symptoms of ageing and boost your energy and strength.
Collagen decline in your 50s and 60s
By the age of 50, you're likely to be far more aware of your collagen deficiency. You can expect to see a number of health issues commonly associated with low collagen levels. By age 60, you will have lost around 80% of your natural collagen.
What you can do: Taking collagen in your later years will help to replenish your levels and help to relieve some of the symptoms. It’s never too late to take collagen.
So, at what age should you start taking collagen?
The simple answer is “now”. Your collagen levels start to drop in your 20s. Keeping them topped up means you’ll be less likely to see premature signs of ageing and other symptoms that are associated with low collagen.
And it’s never too late to start! Taking collagen supplements in your later years can help you reverse the signs of ageing and regain your confidence.
Lower collagen levels are partly due to the ageing process, but other factors may also be involved.
Let’s look at some of the culprits.
What else can cause low collagen levels?
It’s not just getting older that can cause lower levels of collagen. Your lifestyle can also play a big part.
Things like…
- Too much exposure to the sun
- Excessive smoking
- High-sugar diets
- Too much alcohol
- High levels of stress
So, to get the most out of your collagen supplement, it's a good idea to make some positive lifestyle tweaks.
What else can I do to improve my collagen levels?
The phrase “they just let themself go” means just that. The person in question decided just to give in to the fact that they were getting older and did nothing about it. There is an alternative.
It’s important to look after yourself if you’re going to take a collagen supplement. What’s the point of taking a supplement each day and then negating its effect through bad health choices?
Work with collagen to get back your happy glow. Here are some important changes to make to tilt the balance in your favour.
Make small changes to your diet
You should eat a healthy diet packed with high-quality nutrients to support your collagen levels. There are certain foods that can have a big effect on collagen production.
These include…
- Vitamin C-rich foods, such as berries, citrus fruits, and leafy greens
- High-protein foods like eggs, beef, chicken, and dairy products
- Antioxidant-rich foods, such as green tea, blueberries, strawberries, spinach, beets, and walnuts
Read more: 16 gut-friendly foods: what to eat for a healthy gut
Protect your skin from damage
It’s well known that too much exposure to the sun can be harmful to your skin. If you’re in a sunny climate, make sure you use plenty of sunscreen to keep your skin safe from the sun’s UV rays. Too much exposure can result in a breakdown of collagen.
Get a regular massage
Regular facial massages can boost your blood circulation and promote collagen production. Bonus.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle factors make a big difference in collagen production. Try to avoid smoking, reduce your intake of sugary and processed foods, and cut down on alcohol consumption. Your body will thank you for it.
Get plenty of sleep
Waking up with bags under your eyes is a sure sign that you’re not getting enough sleep. It’s recommended that you get at least seven or eight hours of quality sleep each night to keep your body functioning to its full potential.
Reduce your stress levels
Chronic stress leads to higher levels of cortisol, which accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for skin elasticity and firmness. It also activates an inflammatory response that can damage collagen and restrict production.
Exercise a little more
Moving around more means you’ll get an increased blood flow and better circulation. The more oxygen and nutrients you can deliver, the better for your health and collagen levels.
Why? Well, because the increased blood flow from exercise can help to stimulate collagen production in the skin.
So, what is the best way to use a collagen supplement?
You might be unsure as to what age to start taking collagen, but the best time is now. Whether you’re in your 20s or 60s, you can benefit from collagen supplementation and regain your glow.
A quick summary…
To gain the most benefit from collagen supplementation, you must…
- Remember to take your supplement each day
- Include nutritious collagen-boosting foods in a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Keep your stress levels down and get plenty of sleep
- Protect your skin from too many of the sun's rays
- Get a regular massage if you can
Flip the script on ageing with YourBiology…
It’s never too late to reignite your glow, regain your health and own it.
YourBiology's marine collagen supplement is the perfect way to help boost your wellbeing, put more pep in your step, and help you regain your glow.
Your age-busting FAQs
How long does it take to see results from a collagen supplement?
Natural collagen production should start to rise again in just a few weeks, as long as you're looking after your health.
You should notice a difference in your skin's appearance, your energy levels, and overall health within a month.
Are there any side effects to collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements are generally considered safe for most people. A small number of people may experience slight gastrointestinal upset.
It's important to consult your healthcare provider before you begin taking supplements, especially if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
How long should I keep taking a collagen supplement?
If your collagen supplement contains natural ingredients, it should be safe to take for as long as you require.
