There are other factors than age that can retard collagen production: smoking and sun exposure are the worst culprits. Since collagen is too dense to be absorbed into the skin in creams unless it undergoes extensive chemical restructuring, our best bet is to eat plenty of foods that promote production of this important protein. By incorporating certain foods into our diet we can increase collagen production and bring that youthful look back to our skin. Though anti-aging creams claim to help retain a youthful look, many are made with harsh chemicals. We can, instead, attempt to restore the collagen in our skin naturally.
Several other types of food that can aid in increasing collagen production are soy products, dark green vegetables, beans, red fruits and vegetables, vitamin C, prunes, omega acids, flaxseed, turkey, dark chocolate, rose hips, avocado oil and sea kelp (seaweed).
Luckily, all of these foods are part of a healthy, low-fat diet (even the chocolate) and can be incorporated into every meal and snack we eat. Enjoy soy milk with breakfast, a large salad with chunks of turkey and avocado for lunch, and omega-containing fish for dinner; snack on dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 65 percent or higher and take supplements containing rose hips.
All of these foods contain powerful collagen-boosting substances like genistein, lutein, hyaluronic acid, lycopene, antioxidants, carnosine and plant steroids. These natural chemicals support the skin renewal process, rejuvenate skin damaged by free radicals and create a hospitable environment for collagen production.
Soy foods, such as soy milk, soy cheese and tofu, can help block the enzymes that break down and age skin. Leafy greens like spinach and kale boost skin hydration and elasticity, as does the carnosine in turkey. Beans help our body produce the powerful anti-aging agent hyaluronic acid, and the lycopenes in red fruits and vegetables are powerful antioxidants.
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