Collagen for Plant Eaters
Collagen for Plant Eaters, let us show you the smart way for vegetarians and vegans to support collagen production by eating an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that are plentiful in collagen-boosting nutrient. More and more people are spending money on collagen fillers or buying special creams in the hopes of minimizing wrinkles and achieving more supple skin. There is a better way to ensure you’re getting all of the added collagen you need, through the food choices you makes and lifestyle.
Proline and hydroxyproline are amino acids that make up 23% of collagen, and have been found to be precursors to sustaining collagen production.
It’s important to understand that collagen protein powders contain a concentrated source of the key amino acids that your body needs to build new collagen. This includes primarily glycine and proline.
Vitamin C: Without a sufficient supply of vitamin C, your body can’t make new collagen.
However, more commonly, conditions are not ideal due to our fast paced, high stress, and sleepless society. This means more often than not we must get these amino acids from the foods we eat.
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
• Strawberry
• Brussels sprouts
• Orange
• Kiwi
• Grapefruit
• Red bell pepper
• Broccoli
• Papaya
• Kale
• Pineapple
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 sulphur, which is a major player in collagen synthesis.
Antioxidants: These powerhouses protect your collagen from free radical damage. And the best way to load up on antioxidants is by eating the rainbow. Red beets and peppers, orange carrots and sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and purple berries.
These colourful plants also offer a wide variety of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to look and feel its best.
Now, if you’re wondering how to get more of these foods in your diet, smoothies and salads are two excellent options.
This pumpkin pie smoothie is perfect for fall. And the pumpkin and banana are both great sources of glycine as well as antioxidants. You could even throw in a handful of spinach without even noticing it’s there.
Another collagen boosting combination is pineapple, cucumber, kale, and banana. Yummy!
Colourful salads create endless opportunities to incorporate a variety of plant-based foods to protect, repair, and produce new collagen.
Consider thinly sliced cabbage and watercress topped with blanched asparagus, fresh sprouts, tempeh, and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds. A delicious collagen boost in a bowl!
And also note that adding a portion of beans or quinoa to your salad will help increase your intake of lysine.
It’s Not All About the Food
Nutrient rich foods aren’t the only players when it comes to collagen protection and synthesis. Your daily habits are important too.
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.
So find ways to create moments of peace throughout your day. Go for a walk. Breathe deep. Take a bath. Laugh with friends. Or read a book. Just find something that works. And do it!
Another key factor is sleep. Because your body repairs and rebuilds collagen mainly when you’re sleeping. Thus, it’s important to shoot for 7 to 9 hours of shut eye each night.
Recommend lowering your exposure to toxins found in processed foods, pesticides, personal care products, and home cleaners. Because they’re concentrated sources of free radicals that can certainly harm the integrity of your collagen.
Look younger, have beautiful skin, less wrinkles at any age, eat more fruits and vegetable that boost your collagen.
Penelope Jayne author of Collagen for Plant Eaters is a Co-Founder of Global Recharge, Speaker, Author with” Best International Seller” Book on Amazon, “Better Woman, Better World – Stand Up, Show Up, Speak Up to Create a Better World” A Health & Wellness Guru empowering people to reduce stress and fatigue, detox, emotional eating, weight issues, depression, anxiety, isolation, insomnia, lack of drive and passion, overwhelm and cynicism, to bring back balance, productivity, creativity and joy back into their personal and professional life. Trained in Integrative Nutrition IIN New York, Diet and Lifestyle Intervention Certification, Energy Healing, Neuroscience, Chakra Cleansing, certified Food Over Medicine Certified Instructor trained by Dr Pam Popper, Wellness Forum Health USA, Time Line Therapy®, Master Hypnotherapist, Master Neuro Linguistic Program Practitioner & Coach, Weight Management Certification, & Master DesScience Syd University.