What is the Cause of Collagen Hardening?
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Collagen
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Collagen is one of the most plentiful proteins that exist in the human body. Collagen is fibrous in nature, and it is used for structural purposes by the anatomy. As such, collagen gives cells their structure, helps support tissues, and it's one of the main components of muscles, bones, tendons, fascia, and skin. When combined with keratin, collagen provides the elastic strength that is found in the skin. The degradation and hardening of collagen can lead to a lot of problems, such as rough, scarred skin and wrinkles. Some people have even begun to claim that hardening of collagen can lead to hair loss.
Diet
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Like any protein, collagen is worn down and away over time. As such, the body needs to have a constant and usable supply of it in order to maintain the structures that collagen is used in. In some people who have hardened or reduced collagen, the reason can be traced right to their diet. If they don't take in the proper amounts and types of protein, they may become collagen-deficient. This is a particular problem in those who have a beef allergen, or who simply don't ingest meat.
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Other Factors
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While diet is only a contributing factor, there are others that can cause the hardening of collagen in the body. Exposure to sun, and to the ultraviolet rays in it, without any form of protection, can damage collagen in the skin and hair as well as in the eyes. This damage can cause the collagen to become less flexible, like a scar. Additionally, the natural human aging process can cause collagen to stiffen and harden over time. This can be prevented with proper nutrition and exercise, but age is the largest contributor to collagen hardening and loss.
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