What Happens to Collagen as You Age? at a Glance

• Your body's natural collagen production gradually declines with age.

• Collagen production typically begins slowing in your mid-20s.

• Lifestyle factors like UV exposure, smoking, and poor nutrition can speed up collagen loss.

• Collagen plays an important role in supporting healthy skin, joints, bones, and connective tissues.*

• Eating enough protein and key nutrients helps support your body's natural collagen production.

• Many people choose collagen supplements as part of a healthy aging routine

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It acts as a building block for skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other connective tissues.*

Think of collagen as part of your body's internal support system. It helps provide structure and strength throughout the body, which is why collagen is often associated with healthy skin, joint comfort, and mobility.*

There are at least 28 different types of collagen, although Types I, II, and III are the most abundant. Different collagen types are found in different tissues throughout the body.

When Does Collagen Production Begin to Decline?

Your body produces collagen naturally throughout life, but production doesn't stay constant forever.

Research suggests collagen production begins to gradually decline as early as your mid-20s. This process continues throughout adulthood and becomes more noticeable over time.

At the same time, your body also becomes less efficient at repairing and replacing existing collagen. Together, these changes contribute to the natural aging process.

What Causes Collagen Loss?

While aging is the biggest factor, several lifestyle habits can also affect collagen production.

Sun Exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage collagen fibers in the skin over time, making daily sun protection an important part of supporting healthy skin.

Smoking

Smoking exposes the body to compounds that damage collagen and reduce the body's ability to produce new collagen.

Nutrition

Your body needs adequate protein along with nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and copper to produce collagen naturally. Eating a balanced diet provides the building blocks needed for collagen synthesis.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress may increase oxidative stress in the body, which can contribute to normal age-related changes in collagen.

How Does Collagen Loss Affect the Body?

Because collagen is found throughout the body, declining collagen production can affect multiple tissues over time.

Skin

Collagen helps support skin structure and elasticity.* As natural collagen production declines, skin may gradually become thinner and less firm as part of the normal aging process.

Joints and Connective Tissues

Collagen is a major component of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Maintaining healthy connective tissues is important for everyday movement and an active lifestyle.*

Bones

Collagen forms part of the structural framework of bone, helping support overall bone health alongside nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.*

Can You Support Your Body's Natural Collagen Production?

While collagen decline is a normal part of aging, healthy lifestyle habits can help support your body's natural collagen production.

Some simple habits include:

• Eating enough protein throughout the day.

• Including vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.

• Staying physically active.

• Protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure.

• Avoiding smoking.

• Prioritizing quality sleep.

• Managing everyday stress.

These habits support overall wellness and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to build collagen naturally.

Should You Consider a Collagen Supplement?

Many people choose to add collagen supplements to complement a healthy lifestyle.

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides provide the amino acids that serve as the building blocks for collagen. While supplements aren't a replacement for healthy habits, they can be an easy addition to an overall wellness routine.*

Why We Formulated a Multi Collagen Powder

At Alaya Naturals, we designed our Multi Collagen Powder to provide five types of collagen (Types I, II, III, V, and X) from grass-fed, pasture-raised, and wild-caught sources.

Our formula also includes MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin to complement collagen's role in supporting healthy joints and connective tissues.*

Because it's unflavored and easily dissolves, it can be mixed into coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, soups, and recipes, making it simple to incorporate into your daily routine.

The Bottom Line

Collagen production naturally declines as you age, beginning as early as your mid-20s. While this is a normal part of aging, healthy lifestyle habits, including eating enough protein, protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure, and maintaining an active lifestyle, can help support your body's natural collagen production.*

Many people also choose to include a quality collagen supplement as part of their healthy aging routine.