Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s responsible for giving structure to your skin, joints, organ tissues, blood vessels, bones, and more. Think of it like the glue that holds your body together. 

But here’s the unfortunate part…

Your body is losing out on collagen right now. 

How is this happening? Well, that’s what this blog is all about. I’m going to outline the top five ways that your body loses collagen (plus what you can do about it). 

Worried that you could have a collagen deficiency? Read my blog, 6 Signs Of Collagen Deficiency, by clicking here.

Knowing what’s causing your collagen levels to drop can help you do something about it – maintaining proper levels for a youthful body through and through, no matter your age! 

5 things that destroy your collagen

There are many things within and outside of your control that are harming your collagen, which has drastic effects throughout your body, including wrinkles, achy joints, thin hair, and more. 

Keep reading to find out what could be causing your collagen levels to drop!

1. Age

This is the most unfortunate one. The simple act of aging – which none of us can avoid – depletes your collagen. But why?

Within your body are cells called fibroblasts. These are the cells that produce collagen within your body. But as they age, their collagen-producing abilities diminish. They amount of these cells also declines with age. This means less collagen is made, and when it is made, it’s not as strong. 

This results in skin that loosens and wrinkles, becomes dull, and can’t retain water as well. But depleting collagen due to age isn’t even close to the biggest thing damaging your collagen. The good news is that, while this one may be less in your control (outside of replenishing this lost collagen), most other factors you can control. 

2. UV exposure

Your skin being directly exposed to the sun (without protection like sunscreen) is the number one cause of loss of collagen and skin aging. 

The sun’s harmful rays enter the middle layer of the skin (the dermis) and accelerate collagen breakdown. They also give rise to free radicals that further break down collagen by increasing the presence of enzymes in the skin. 

If that wasn’t bad enough, UV exposure disrupts the rate of collagen production in the body. This makes UV exposure a double whammy when it comes to your collagen. 

Sunscreen, hats, staying in the shade, and being mindful of the UV index will be a major help to your skin as you age. 

3. An unhealthy diet

Your diet could be degrading your collagen, meaning a simple change in food choices could lead to healthier skin. 

Collagen production in the body is strongly influenced by nutrient intake. Including foods with high protein content for amino acids that are needed to build collagen, like poultry or other healthy meat options, go a long way in providing your body with strong collagen. Foods like berries that are high in antioxidants can help protect your collagen from being broken down by free radicals, allowing you to maintain healthier levels.

However, avoiding certain foods can make a big difference as well. For example, sugar is detrimental to your collagen and skin health, as it breaks down elastin and collagen. If you have a sweet tooth, consider opting for healthier sweeteners instead. 

Alcohol and cigarettes are both also terrible for your collagen, with smoking being considered one of the fastest ways to deplete your collagen levels. 

All in all, just be sure to consume a diverse diet of whole foods so that your body can take in a wide range of nutrients. 

4. Low vitamin C

Speaking of nutrients, vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins you can take when it comes to collagen. 

Vitamin C fights free radicals and limits the damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. One of the most powerful antioxidants you can consume, vitamin C helps protect the skin from damage caused by pollution. The easiest way to fight free radicals (which destroy collagen) is to increase the amount of antioxidants in your body. And higher vitamin C levels are a great way to do this. 

Consider adding lots of fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C to your diet, or add a high-quality liposomal vitamin C to your supplement regimen. 

5. Stress

It may seem strange that feeling a certain way can degrade your skin and your collagen, but it’s true. 

For starters, stress is pro-inflammatory, which interferes with the body’s natural ability to produce collagen. Stress also increases the levels of the stress hormone cortisol within your body. Cortisol also interrupts your body’s collagen production. 

When your body is in a stressful state, most of your energy goes to counter the stress and inflammation that’s caused as a result, leaving less room for things like collagen production. 

One thing that boosts your collagen

Now it’s time to look at what can BOOST your collagen. 

The simple answer is this: More collagen.

Adding more collagen into your body gives you the resources to have high levels of collagen in every area of your body that needs it! 

Plus, with a micelle liposomal, this collagen can be quickly and efficiently delivered to the parts of your body that are the most deficient. 

This is exactly what Complete Collagen Plus does. 

It’s time for you to take control of your collagen levels – and how well you age – by ensuring your body has enough of this important protein.  

>>> Click here to learn how Complete Collagen Plus can help YOU (plus how it helped me and so many others)

When people think of collagen, they typically think of the skin. This is a fair approach, as collagen holds the skin together, and low collagen levels can change the skin’s appearance. 

But collagen does so much more in the body than support the structure of your skin. 

As such, when collagen levels are low, your body may try to tell you in various ways. This blog is so that you know exactly what to look out for when and if this happens. Because here’s the kicker: most people will experience low collagen or a “collagen deficiency” at some point in their life. And for others, this can lead to a full-blown deficiency – a state in which your body doesn’t have enough collagen for normal functioning. How does this happen?

Well, for starters, our body’s ability to create new collagen starts to diminish around the age of 25, with experts estimating that we lose at least 1% of our collagen each year after our mid-twenties. 

Then, there are other things that decrease your collagen even further. To read more about that, check out my blog post, 5 Things That Destroy Your Collagen, by clicking here. 

For now, let’s look at the warning signs of collagen deficiency. 

6 Signs Of Collagen Deficiency

When on the lookout for signs of low collagen, there are six main symptoms. As mentioned above, collagen does way more than just prop up the skin, so you may be surprised by some of these signs. But, let’s start with the skin… 

1. Wrinkles

Wrinkles are the clearest sign of collagen loss. Wrinkles form due to lost elasticity in the skin, which is a direct result of depleted collagen. 

Despite the fact that your skin is 70-80% collagen, if you have low levels of collagen, your body is going to stop focusing on repairing elasticity in the skin and instead start using your collagen on other vital functions, like supporting organ structure or healing wounds. 

While wrinkles are bound to happen as we get older, if you notice a sudden acceleration in wrinkles, this is a clear sign that collagen levels have recently plummeted for one reason or another and should be properly restored with a high quality collagen supplement. 

2. Slow muscle recovery

Your muscles can be sore even if you don’t perform hard workouts like weightlifting. Running, hiking, or even tasks in the home like cleaning can leave your muscles feeling sore the next day. While this is normal – especially if you’ve worked muscles you don’t often use – it can be a sign of low collagen.

If you find that you’re getting sore very easily, possibly for reasons you’re unsure of, or if it’s taking longer than two days for your muscles to recover, then you could have a collagen deficiency. 

Collagen works to repair your muscles and helps with muscle flexibility. So, a deficiency will not only result in longer recovery times and more frequent soreness, but it could also result in you losing muscle mass as the muscles deteriorate instead of repairing.

3. Gastrointestinal problems

Collagen deficiency has been linked to leaky gut syndrome. In your intestines, there are tight junctions that help you absorb nutrients. A leaky gut means that these junctions aren’t as tight as they should be due to the tissue separating. As a result, other unwanted substances can slip through the gaps and cause infection and inflammation.  

Collagen plays a large role in repairing intestinal walls and keeping the tissue there tight and firm, just like your skin. Therefore, having enough collagen in your body is crucial for repairing and maintaining these tight junctions. 

Leaky gut syndrome comes with symptoms such as bloating, gas, cramps, indigestion, food sensitivities, and pain. If you have any of these symptoms, it may be due to a leaky gut caused by low collagen. 

4. Poor hair health

Collagen is an important part of hair health for a few reasons. 

For starters, collagen is present within your hair follicles, responsible for delivering nutrients for healthy hair growth. Without enough collagen, your hair won’t receive the nutrients it needs as quickly, resulting in stunted hair growth, or the development of weak and brittle hair.

Additionally, a large part of what makes up your hair is collagen itself. Without sufficient collagen, your hair will be thin and weak. It can fall out easier, break more often, or struggle to grow in the first place. 

If that wasn’t enough, without enough collagen present within the hair follicles, your hair follicle will be more vulnerable to cell-damaging free radicals, which collagen usually fights off. Just like with the skin, your body will prioritize other areas of your body in need of collagen before sending the protein to your hair. As such, poor hair health could be one of the first signs of low collagen. 

5. Joint pain

Many people mistake joint pain as just one of the signs of getting older, but in many cases, it’s simply the result of collagen levels diminishing as time goes on. 

The cartilage in your joints is 60% collagen. As such, collagen is essential in rebuilding and repairing the joints and maintaining their structure. 

In addition, collagen provides flexibility and cushions your joints. So, if your body doesn’t have enough, your joints will be more prone to damage. 

If you’re experiencing any discomfort or lack of function within your joints, you may simply need a boost in collagen. 

Slow injury recovery

Being the most abundant protein within they body, almost any injury – whether it’s a broken bone, cut, or even result of a surgery – is going to need a large amount of collagen to properly repair the tissue. 

If you don’t have enough collagen, however, your body is going to struggle to make a full repair in the proper timeframe. 

When you get hurt, the amount of time it takes for you to heal can be an indicator of collagen levels. 

Restoring collagen levels

Thanks to modern science, we now know that collagen levels depleting with each year is a HUGE reason why we experience the “normal” signs of aging. 

With this knowledge, we can take more control. It starts with restoring and maintaining collagen levels within your body so your tissue, hair, skin, joints, organs, and more can all remain young and healthy. 

Today, Complete Collagen Plus is up to 25% off. 

>>> Age gracefully by maintaining collagen levels by clicking here and securing your supply of Complete Collagen Plus at up to 25% OFF.

Grapeseed oil is exactly what it sounds like: the oil from grape seeds. Most grapeseed oil comes from the wine industry, who don’t use the seeds in their grapes. But when those seeds are pressed, a fine oil is created. 

Grapeseed oil makes for an excellent cooking oil – not just for its high smoke point (420F) and how it plays well with other tastes – but because it can offer you several health benefits. From your heart to your hair, grapeseed oil is great as a supplement, too! 

That’s what this blog is all about – the benefits of grapeseed oil. Let’s get started!

1. Supports A Healthy Heart

One of the more well known benefits of grapeseed oil is how it supports the health of the heart. Studies have shown that it improves the health in several heart-related areas, including cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which is a mark of inflammation. [1, 2]

Research has indicated that grape seed oil would be particularly beneficial to those who are obese and looking to lose weight. For example, one study showed improvement in several heart disease risk factors after obese participants took grapeseed oil and reduced calories over a 12 week period. [3]

And a separate study showed that taking grapeseed oil daily reduced waist circumference and several inflammatory markers in people with obesity. [4]

This could be beneficial to those looking to protect their heart, as obesity is directly linked to many heart complications. [5]

2. Lowers Blood Pressure

One of the other biggest risk factors for heart disease is high blood pressure. But thankfully, this is another area where grapeseed oil shines. 

A meta-analysis from 2011 found that daily grapeseed oil consumption lowered blood pressure and heart rate to healthier levels. [6]

Again, these effects are even stronger in those with certain health conditions. For example, another meta-analysis – this one from 2016 – showed that the grapeseed oil was more beneficial for those who had obesity or high blood sugar. Interestingly enough, it also showed a higher benefit for those under the age of 50. [7]

And when it comes to blood pressure itself, a 2021 review concluded that grapeseed oil can improve blood pressure in those with hypertension (the medical term for high blood pressure). [8]

3. Boosts Hair Health

If you were just thinking that grapeseed oil seems like a hero among oils when it comes to the heart, just wait until you learn how it helps your hair!

For starters, it can prevent you from losing hair. This is largely due to its high concentration of vitamin E, which has been shown to improve hair growth in people with hair loss. This is likely due to the fact that vitamin E lowers oxidative stress, which has been linked to hair loss. [9, 10]

And grapeseed oil works holistically. Not only can it help bring a shine to your hair with the increased vitamin E, it can nourish your scalp! Research has shown that increased levels of vitamin E can increase blood flow. Increased blood supply boosts hair growth by providing the follicles with more oxygen and nutrients. [11, 12]

That’s not all grapeseed oil can help with in your scalp, however. Your scalp is simply skin, and poor scalp health is linked to unhealthy hair. Thankfully, the powerful vitamin E in grapeseed oil can support the scalp and give your hair a strong base to grow from by reducing oxidative stress and preserving the protective lipid layer. [13]

4. Promotes Longevity 

In addition to containing such a powerful antioxidant like vitamin E, grapeseed oil is also loaded with other unique antioxidants and compounds with antioxidant activity, like gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins, and proanthocyanidins, making it specially equipped for eliminating free radicals and the oxidative damage they cause. In fact, when tested, grape seeds were found to be the part of the grape with most antioxidants. [14]

Oxidative stress is directly linked to chronic disease. And the best way to fight it is with antioxidants. Researchers believe that high antioxidant intake is key to a healthy lifestyle. [15]

Chronic inflammation is another major precursor to most types of diseases. Thankfully, grape seed oil is also rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like omega fatty acids that fight inflammation so that you can have a healthier body for longer. [14]

5. Provides Youthful Skin 

Speaking of omega fatty acids, the compounds within them are actually quite good at protecting the health and appearance of the skin. Not to mention vitamin E, which we’ve covered is also found in grapeseed oil in high amounts, is known for hydrating skin and accelerating scar-free wound healing. [16]

The Best Way To Get Grapeseed Oil

Now, you may be wanting to start doing all of your cooking with grapeseed oil. That’s a great idea. But if you want to make sure you’re getting a reliable amount of grape seed oil every single day, I know the BEST way for you to do that…

And it’s not what you think!

You’ll be amazed at how easy (and delicious) it is to get this oil daily. No coating your tongue in a thick liquid! 

>>> Click here to learn the BEST way to get grapeseed oil every single day

Did you know that you can make your own shampoo at home? It’s pretty cool! Instead of standing in the shampoo aisle at the grocery store reading ingredient lists, hoping to find a bottle with the right stuff in it, you can just go ahead and make your own at home!

By making your own shampoo, you can pick and choose ingredients for your goals, like the ones in the recipe I’m going to share with you today that boost hair growth!

Now, you’re going to have to buy a few things first, but it shouldn’t be any more expensive than a bottle of high-quality shampoo. Plus, these are ingredients you can put towards other things as well, and you can make multiple bottles out of them! 

Let’s take a look at the base of your shampoo:

🧼 A natural soap base – Something like Castile Soap, which is versatile, contains no synthetic ingredients, and is made of vegetable oils. 

🥥 Coconut milk – Coconut milk not only adds a creamy texture to make lathering easier, but it’s full of vitamins that nourish hair and prevent loss.

🧴 Vitamin E oil – This powerful nutrient is great for the health of your scalp and your hair. It can increase shine, reduce breakage, and lock in moisture.

🫒 Olive oil – Olive oil isn’t just great for cooking; it can also help treat dry and damaged hair by soothing hair fibers. It can also eliminate bacteria on the scalp, treat itchiness, eliminate the buildup of dead skin, and clear dandruff. 

Now, here comes the fun part – adding in essential oils for various benefits!

Once you have your base made (see recipe below for quantities), you can add various essential oils that offer unique benefits for the hair and scalp. 

For this recipe, we’re going to add the following oils:

🌿 Rosemary essential oil – Rosemary oil boosts hair follicles by increasing blood circulation, allowing them to receive more oxygen and nutrients. This nourishes them for healthier hair growth. 

🌿 Lavender essential oil – Lavender oil helps promote hair growth and prevent thinning by nourishing the hair follicles and protecting the scalp from inflammation and bacteria. On top of that, it has a calming fragrance that can relax you. 

🌿 Tea Tree essential oil – Tea tree oil cleanses hair of built-up chemicals and dead skin cells, keeping it healthy, moisturized, soft, and shiny. 

The recipe:

Now that you’re familiar with all of the ingredients, let’s put it all together!

In a mason jar or sealable bottle, add the following:

• ⅔ cups Castille Liquid Soap (or equivalent)

• ⅔ cups coconut milk

• 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 10 drops rosemary essential oil

• 10 drops lavender essential oil

• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Combine all the ingredients in the jar/bottle, then stir well (or close the lid and shake). 

When you shower, use it like you would any shampoo, leaving in your hair for at least five minutes. 

Enjoy!

Remember, you can play around with the ingredients. Feel free to look at other types of essential oils to add in based on their benefits. When it comes to making your own shampoo, the world is your oyster!

Hair care from the inside out

While this shampoo recipe can help nourish your hair on the outside…

You still want to make sure that you’re providing your hair and follicles with the nutrients needed to grow strong and healthy hair. 

EverBella’s hair-boosting formula can do just that!

>>> Click here to learn about all of the incredible ingredients in this formula, how they help your hair, and how you can claim a free bottle TODAY

When perusing EverBella products, you may notice that my most popular supplements are Complete Collagen Plus and Complete Biotin Plus. If you’re looking for ways to slow skin aging, maintain thick and healthy hair, and grow strong nails, you may wonder which of these two you should choose. 

Both collagen and biotin are crucial for beauty. They play integral parts in the health of your skin, nails, and hair. But that’s just on the outside. On the inside, both of these nutrients offer several health benefits. Understanding these benefits may help you make a more informed decision as to which one of these you should take. 

Or, perhaps in this blog, you’ll learn why you want to be taking BOTH of these together.

Let’s start with collagen.

The Benefits Of Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body. As such, ensuring you have healthy levels of it at all times is critical for not just the appearance of your skin but the structure and function of several organs. 

As such, when you take a collagen supplement, you can expect a wide range of positive health effects. These include:

✅ Improved skin health – Studies have shown that a good quality collagen supplement supports skin elasticity, locks in moisture for hydrated skin, and promotes a youthful texture. [1]

✅ Healthier hair – Collagen offers many amino acids needed to make keratin, the main protein that makes up your hair. [2]

✅ Stronger nails – One study found that supplementing with collagen every day led to better nail health after 24 weeks, including better growth rates, reduced breakage, and improved appearance. [3]

✅ Healthier gut – Research shows that collagen can support your gut health, mainly through strengthening the gut lining. [4]

✅ Protected joints – Collagen makes up a lot of your joint cartilage, and maintaining healthy levels in the joints can help you retain proper mobility as you age. [5]

✅ Supported muscles and bones – For the same reason that collagen protects your joints, it maintains the integrity, strength, and density of your muscles and bones, which both contain high levels of the protein. [6, 7, 8]

The Benefits Of Biotin

Biotin is one of the B vitamins – vitamin B7 – and is an essential nutrient. It helps keep your skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system healthy. It also converts the food you eat into energy. 

It’s mostly recognized for its beauty effects as it is involved in the production of keratin, a protein that is one of the main components of hair and found in high levels within the skin. [9]

The benefits of taking biotin are mostly related to beauty, including:

✅ Thicker hair – Research shows that those with low levels of biotin tend to lose their hair in high quantities, and supplementing increases growth. [10, 11]

✅ Protected skin – Your skin layers rely on keratin for protection and structural integrity, constantly needing to produce more as the keratin works through the skin layers and ultimately sheds on the outer layer. [12]

✅ Stronger nails – Keratin is also a main component of your nails, which is why studies have shown that biotin can support the thickness and firmness of nails. [13]

✅ Healthier pregnancy – Nearly 50% of pregnant women develop a biotin deficiency, as this vitamin is crucial for fetal development. This is why biotin supplementation for pregnant women is recommended. [14]

✅ Lower blood sugar levels – Research has shown that taking biotin supplements may regulate insulin within the pancreas, stabilizing blood sugar levels. [15]

Collagen And Biotin Together

Individually, collagen and biotin offer you their own unique benefits, but also some similar benefits that complement each other. This is especially true for the health of your skin, nails, and hair. 

I tell most people who are set on choosing one or the other that they should take collagen if they want more focus on skin health and biotin if they’re more concerned about their hair. 

But taking both collagen and biotin together simultaneously is the ultimate combo.

This is especially true for your skin. And it isn’t just me saying this, but the scientific research.

For example, one study showed that combining both further improved skin hydration, elasticity, smoothness, and density. [16]

And another study showed that skin appeared more youthful in those taking both, with researchers noting an improvement in collagen structure within facial skin. [17]

If you want to be serious about turning back the clock on your skin and protecting yourself from signs of aging, it’s key to take two of the highest-quality beauty supplements on the market – Complete Collagen Plus and Complete Biotin Plus.

>>> Click here to save 30% on BOTH of these products (and claim free shipping) by shopping my Father’s Day Sale

When I created Complete Biotin Plus, I wanted to deliver a highly absorbable hair growth supplement that was easy to take and actually made a difference. Based on my own experience and the many emails and reviews I receive about how it has helped others, I feel I have achieved my goal. 

But did you know most of the ingredients in Complete Biotin Plus can help with weight loss, too?

That’s right! As it turns out, many nutrients that help you get beautiful hair also help you manage your weight. If you’re wondering how they help, then keep reading. In this blog, I’ll cover the ingredients in Complete Biotin Plus that secretly help you lose weight. 

Let’s dive in!

Vitamin D and Weight Loss

While vitamin D can help regulate your hair growth cycle so you regrow the hair you shed, it can also help you lose weight. 

Interestingly, overweight people tend to have lower levels of vitamin D. [1]

While some researchers theorize that this may simply be due to a larger body size requiring more of the nutrient, many overweight people still have low levels of this important vitamin. But if they had sufficient levels of it, this could actually help them lose weight. 

This is showcased in a 2014 study where overweight women were put on an exercise and diet regimen to lose weight. Half the women were given vitamin D, while the other half received a placebo. As you may have guessed, the group who took the vitamin D lost much more weight than those not boosting their vitamin D levels. [2]

Additionally, research has found that simply raising vitamin D levels in overweight women helped decrease body fat. [3]

On the flip side, vitamin D could also prevent you from gaining weight. One study of over 4,600 elderly women found that high blood levels of vitamin D were associated with less weight gain over 4.5 years. [4]

Researchers believe the mechanisms behind vitamin D’s weight management come down to its ability to reduce the formation of new fat cells in the body while also suppressing the storage of fat cells. [5, 6]

It also regulates certain hormones that may be involved in appetite and other areas of weight management. 

Selenium and Weight Loss

Selenium plays an important role in hair health by regulating hormones through the thyroid. By this same mechanism, it can also help aid in weight loss.

See, the thyroid contains high levels of selenium, which is used to make and metabolize thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate many metabolic functions throughout the body, including how many calories you burn. [7]

Like vitamin D, taking selenium can help you on your weight loss journey. For example, in one study, overweight adults took a selenium supplement every day while on a calorie-restrictive diet. Those taking the selenium lost more weight than the ones who weren’t. [8]

Low levels of selenium are also linked to a higher body mass index (BMI). A study of over 3,200 people found that those who consume less selenium had a higher BMI. They also found that even just a small increase of regularly consumed selenium in a person’s diet corresponded to a 3-6% decrease in body fat. [9]

Black Cumin Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) and Weight Loss

Black cumin seed oil from the flowering plant Nigella sativa has proven to have several health benefits, from boosting hair growth to promoting healthy digestion. And, as you’ve likely guessed, it can also help you with weight management. 

Research has shown that black cumin seed oil can help people prevent weight gain while helping to reduce fat within the body. In fact, a review of 14 clinical trials and 5 studies published in 2022 concluded that black cumin seed oil can considerably lower weight within 6-12 weeks through various healthy changes within metabolic systems. [10, 11]

A lot of this is due to thymoquinone (TQ), a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory found in black cumin seed oil. 

Through this compound and others found in the oil, black cumin seed oil has been shown to suppress appetite for a decreased caloric intake, lower blood sugar levels, and improve insulin resistance – two crucial markers in weight management.  

Complete Biotin Plus and Weight Loss

If Complete Biotin Plus can increase hair growth, strengthen your nails, and even protect your skin layers through keratin production… does this mean it’s the ultimate beauty supplement? 

I think YES. 

Whether you’re looking to lose weight or to prevent yourself from gaining weight, Complete Biotin Plus includes ingredients proven to enhance your metabolism, control fat storage and production, and regulate hormones that can disrupt your weight goals. 

Keep looking and feeling your best with Complete Biotin Plus.

>>> Learn how you can claim HUGE savings on your order of Complete Biotin Plus TODAY by clicking here!