This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Imagine waking up one morning and spotting crow's feet and that one wrinkle on your face. Age hits you like running into a brick wall. You panic and start looking for oils and creams to help. But all in vain. Before you panic, we must understand the importance of natural collagen production for youthful skin. Collagen is not only your skin and hair's best friend but plays a crucial role in your overall well-being.

Before we dive into what you need to do to improve collagen production and what are the best collagen sources, let us see how your body produces collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and is found in many parts of our body, including skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. It gives our skin strength and elasticity, keeps our joints, tendons, and ligaments healthy, repairs and heals wounds, and remains integral to cell health and growth.

With age, our bodies produce less collagen, making the skin thinner, drier, and less elastic, leading to wrinkle formation and a reduction in new hair growth and brittle nails. Collagen supplements are said to combat these issues by boosting collagen production in the body. While these supplements claim to reverse the signs of aging, improve skin elasticity, and promote healthy hair and nails, they do not necessarily work.

Your body produces collagen naturally, through cells called fibroblasts. These cells are the most active and can produce an abundance of collagen, especially during the growth stages of our life. As we age, our bodies undergo various changes. Fibroblast activity therefore reduces, some of these cells become dormant and turn into fibrocytes. When this happens, your cells only produce enough collagen to give basic support to structural changes, repair cells, and tissues, and give your body the ability to heal wounds. This decline kickstarts the aging process.

As we get older, our bodies undergo various changes, including a decline in the number and activity of fibroblast cells. Some of these cells become dormant when not in use and are called fibrocytes. The active fibroblast cells now produce enough collagen that gives your body structural support, repairs cells, and tissues, and gives your body the ability to heal wounds etc. The basic stuff. This decline in collagen synthesis is one of the hallmark features of the aging process, and it can result in a range of age-related changes in the body. Reduced collagen production in the skin can lead to wrinkles, sagging, and thinning of the skin, reduced hair and nail growth, more brittle nails, and poorer nail health. Reduced collagen in bones can contribute to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures. Similarly, decreased collagen production in tendons and ligaments can lead to a reduction in strength and flexibility.

For this, it is crucial to watch what you eat every day. Collagen-rich foods that promote fibroblasts should become mandatory additions to your diet.

Foods That Are Natural Sources of Collagen

Here are some collagen-rich foods to ensure that glass skin and lush hair you've always craved:

1. Fish and Seafood: The ocean's number one gift to us has to be seafood - the collagen food 101. Bursting with proline and glycine, two essential amino acids for collagen production, fish offer a lot of benefits. They provide collagen-building nutrients and are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids that promote skin hydration, reduce inflammation and bring out your skin's natural glow. So, that seafood buffet by the sea you've always wanted? Go! Get it and reap the benefits of collagen-rich foods.
2. Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes are refreshing additions to any day. They are natural sources of collagen. Packed with Vitamin C, they are the ultimate collagen catalysts that support the enzymatic reactions needed for collagen production. A variety of citrus fruits in your diet ensure firm and radiant skin. The antioxidants in citrus fruits protect your skin from environmental stressors, helping you maintain that youthful allure.
3. Leafy Greens: You know all those green leaves you picked out? Put them back. When it comes to collagen-rich foods for the skin, these might be number one on the list. Packed with vitamins A and C, greens provide the nutrients necessary for collagen synthesis and help maintain the integrity of your skin. Greens have an arsenal of antioxidants that fight off pesky free radicals, protecting your skin and hair from any damage. If you can't chow down on salad, Caim by arelang  has a solution for you. With Replenish With Greens, all-natural, plant-based gummies give your body all the nutrients it needs from greens, ensuring fibroblasts and natural collagen production for better hair, skin, and nails.
4. Berries: We love our berries, don't we? Berries—strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries—may be small, but they pack a collagen-boosting punch. They rank high up in the list of foods that contain collagen. Rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, these little wonders support collagen synthesis, improve skin elasticity, and promote healthy hair growth. With every berry you pop you're one step closer to vibrant skin and silky, long locks. Finding berries and how many to eat to ensure you get the right nutrition is a daunting task. Caim by arelang makes this easier with their Replenish With Phytos  gummies, made of potent extracts from colored plants and veggies to give your body the right quantity and quality of nutrients to help promote fibroblasts and boost overall immunity.

   

   Collagen sources are plenty. Understanding the right balance that fits your lifestyle is essential. Whether you get in the nutrients you need from a few bowls of salad or via supplements, you mustn't neglect the fact that nutrition plays a big role in how your hair, skin, and nails look and feel. From relishing seafood feasts, indulging in poultry to zesting up your life with citrus fruits, savoring leafy greens, and delighting in the sweetness of berries, you've discovered the secrets to unlocking your skin and hair's full potential. Let these collagen-rich foods revolutionize the way you look at your beauty regimen. Your skin will radiate with a renewed glow, and your hair will dance with vitality. Embrace the power of collagen and natural plant-based supplements to get to your most vibrant self!