WHY DO WE GET STRETCH MARKS?
We all love to hate them but we've learned to co-exist with them. What am I talking about? Those dreaded stretch marks and cellulite. Sure they can reflect your strength and remind you of a beautiful experience like birthing your little miracles, however for many women stretch marks and cellulite are completely unwarranted, and unwelcome. Now for the good news ladies, their time is up! The following will explain why...
When it comes to stretch marks and cellulite, it’s the same as wrinkles and premature ageing, in the fact that what is happening on the surface of the body directly reflects the breakdown that is occurring beneath the surface. This means that in addition to stretch marks, cellulite, and wrinkles, you may also feel this breakdown of connective tissue in your joints, circulatory system, or even in the gut and intestinal lining, and thus feeling the signs of premature ageing; achy joints and backs, sore, bloated tummies, more food sensitivities and unhealthy bowel habits, namely constipation and loose stools.
Because of this internal breakdown fancy cellulite creams only solve a tiny part of the problem as they're not absorbed past superficial layers of the skin. It’s no longer what you put ON your body, but what you put IN your body.
BUSTING STRETCH MARK MYTHS!
- Stretch marks are NOT hereditary. Just because your mum had them while pregnant, does not mean that you will too.
- Stretch marks are not always the result of rapid growth. Although they certainly can result from rapid growth. For example, during puberty, bodybuilding, or pregnancy.
- The most common mistake is to believe that fat creates cellulite. It does not! Your skin needs collagen to stay smooth, supple, and strong. This is why we are passionate advocates for organic, wild caught, Eco-friendly marine collagen, and why we formulated Youth Elixir Marine Beauty Collagen. Our goal is to give women who lack skin confidence more reasons to love their bodies again. That’s not to say that all body types aren’t beautiful, however, it’s a simply a case that cellulite and stretch marks can make women feel really uncomfortable in their own skin. BUT now they don’t have to feel this way anymore.
COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS AND CELLULITE
Science shows that supplementing with marine collagen is the most effective way to treat and prevent cellulite and stretch marks from within. This is because consuming collagen stimulates your bodies own collagen production and repairs damaged collagen that is already present. Youth Elixir Beauty Marine Collagen leads the way in this revolutionary way to treat skin conditions as well as premature ageing.
Edible Earths Glow Elixir formulas, Beauty, Youth and Gut have all been scientifically formulated using the highest quality source of collagen on the planet, marine collagen. It is sourced from pure Atlantic fish skin and is derived in such a way that it is referred to as a Super Collagen. It is called Super Collagen because of its advanced low molecular size for increased absorption through the intestines, this substantially enhances the anti-ageing effects and other health benefits.
For this reason, marine collagen is known to be the best collagen of all collagen types. The two collagen alternatives are Bovine (from beef) and Porcine (from pork), both known to be more hazardous, less Eco-friendly and poorer quality in terms of collagen purity and molecule size (much larger than marine collagen molecules). Learn more about collagen and it's health benefits in our previous article.
BEAUTY IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP
The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis.
Stretch marks are formed when scarring takes place in the dermis, the tissue that lies just beneath the most superficial layers of skin.
Beneath the dermis is the hypodermis. This is where we find subcutaneous fat and sheets of connective tissue.
When the connective tissue is weak in the hypodermis, the fat naturally held within this layer of skin herniates or breaks through the connective tissue that holds it in place. This is what gives skin a lumpy appearance and leads to the development of cellulite.
In summary, when skin loses its structural integrity it can form stretch marks, and pockets of cellulite.
COLLAGEN GIVES OUR SKIN AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
Collagen is made up of three proteins that spiral around each other. It runs throughout every tissue in the body. All collagen makes up a supportive matrix that unites cells, organs, and glands. Collagen helps to give the body its structure. It’s literally the glue that holds our body together and is the most abundant and important substance in our body, with the exception of water. For example:
30% of your entire body is collagen
85% of your gut lining is collagen
75% of your skin is collagen
90% of your bones, joints and ligaments are collagen
There are many types of collagen in the body but Type 1 (which is Marine Collagen) is most abundant. It is also rich in glucosamine and hyaluronic acid to keep us flexible and lubricated, whilst reversing the signs of aging, keeping skin youthful and supple.
NUTRITION AND CELLULITE
As cliché as it is, you are what you eat. We say it time and time again because it is undeniable. Good nutrition keeps skin elastic and firm. While poor nutrition leads to the premature breakdown of skin, collagen and loss of elasticity. For example the glycation process caused by refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta and sugar, that causes ageing. Naaasty stuff! Refer to our FREE Reset and Radiate Skin and Gut Healing Nutritional Guide for a step by step help on how to reverse and prevent aging and disease, using the right foods and nutritional supplements.
It turns out that when nutritional deficiencies are present, both stretch marks and cellulite can occur at any age. Accelerating this damage is the fact that collagen isn’t a standard part of a western diet. In today’s modern fast paced society very few of us have the time (or the desire) to make our own collagen broth from animal foods like; bone, skin, feet, and fish skin and bone, cows or pork, all of which we refer to as waste products.
If you would like to support the health of your skin, the best thing to do is to eat the skin itself daily. Or… Take a leaf out of the beauty book of models, movie stars and media personalities who have been secretly taking collagen supplements for years to maintain their health and beauty.
Yes ladies, it really is that simple, and affordable! The jury is unanimous… taking a premium, chemical free, 100% natural, hydrolysed marine collagen supplement is by far the best way to replenish the degenerating collagen in your skin to prevent and treat cellulite and stretch marks, leaving you with healthy, smooth and supple skin.
HOW TO GET RID OF CELLULITE AND STRETCH MARKS
Besides choosing to eat collagen-rich foods and taking a marine collagen supplement, you can also make a few other dietary adjustments in order to optimise skin regeneration and repair.
As with preventing premature ageing, it is essential to avoid pro-inflammatory foods, like wheat, refined sugar, dairy, soy, gluten, refined grains and oxidised oils. This is because inflammation ignites an immune response. Once this happens, white blood cells release something called collagenase, which is an enzyme that breaks down collagen. Collagenase is now enemy number 1.
By following our 12 Week Holistic Transformations, (there are 3 to choose from to suit your individual needs and goals) you can naturally repair a compromised digestive sytem, target chronic inflammation and boost nutrient, collagen, elastin and keratin levels, from within.
Collagen, fermented foods, alkalising greens, cinnamon, lemon, apple cider and low sugar, probiotic beverages, will also help heal the gut, harness healthy microbiome, and reduce harmful inflammation.
Also, be sure to eat foods that contain:
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is necessary to synthesize the proteins needed to produce collagen, and is the antioxidant to aid absorption of other essential nutrients.
- Zinc: Zinc deficiency has been found to inhibit the formation of collagen, especially after trauma, so pop down to your local chemist as they usually offer free zinc testing which only takes a few minutes.
HOW DO I INCLUDE MARINE COLLAGEN IN MY DIET?
Our entire GLOW range is odourless and tasteless, and dissolves with no lumpy bits, making it super easy to stir into your daily food and beverages, perfect for when you're on the run.
We love adding GLOW to our daily brew and juice, as well as yoghurt, granola, cereals, soups, stews and sauces. Because it is heat resistant the heat doesn't denature the therapeutic nutrients of the collagen.
So lets be real now, who wouldn’t love to rediscover a love and confidence for their bodies and feel that kind of healthy energy that gives you a zest for life? Remember, healthy skin doesn't just require topical and cosmetic treatments, the long term maintenance of how you nourish your skin from within will be the pay off long term, and is much more affordable to maintain.
Supporting skin integrity with the right diet and collagen supplement does more the diminish scarring and cellulite - it contributes to full body health from the inside out!
What are you waiting for? Let's get glowing girls!