5. Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a significant role in the production and distribution of collagen in the body. Without adequate levels of the nutrient, your body is unable to produce collagen, leading to a deficiency of the protein. Vitamin C binds cells together during collagen synthesis. These specialized cells, known as “fibroblasts,” are responsible for collagen production and repair damaged DNA.
Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant that clears your blood of free radicals, the particles that induce cell oxidation and lead to cell death. Vitamin C improves cell communication, allowing your body to produce more collagen.
You can increase your intake of Vitamin C using supplements of fruit. Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons all contain significant amounts of Vitamin C. Research suggests that eating a grapefruit before taking supplements, such as vitamin C tablets and collagen powder, increases the bioavailability of additional nutrients, allowing your body to absorb more of the supplements you’re taking.