Sunday, August 31, 2014

Fact of life: how to be happy



Info source:

25 Stylish Quotes About Life - PicsHunger



Sent from my iPhone

Death: Does death exist?

Does death exist?

http://www.robertlanzabiocentrism.com/does-death-exist/

Life: Why Does Life Exist?


Why Does Life Exist?


Sent from my iPhone

Is there an afterlife? The science of biocentrism can prove there is, claims Professor Robert Lanza - Science - News - The Independent

Is there an afterlife? The science of biocentrism can prove there is, claims Professor Robert Lanza - Science - News - The Independent




Sent from my iPhone

Stroke and potassium

Stroke and banana, spinach, nuts, milk, fish and lentils.


Info source:

Eating three bananas cuts your risk of a stroke, scientists say.

A banana for breakfast, one for lunch and one in the evening would provide enough potassium to reduce the chances of suffering a blood clot on the brain by around 21 per cent.

The findings, by British and Italian researchers, suggest thousands of strokes could be prevented by the consumption of other potassium-rich foods such as spinach, nuts, milk, fish and lentils.

In the latest research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, scientists analysed data from eleven different studies - dating back to the mid-Sixties - and pooled the results to get an overall outcome.

They found a daily potassium intake of around 1,600 milligrammes, less than half the UK recommended daily amount for an adult of 3,500mg, was enough to lower stroke risk by more than a fifth.

The average banana contains around 500 milligrammes of potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure and controls the balance of fluids in the body.

Too little potassium can lead to an irregular heartbeat, irritability, nausea and diarrhoea.



My green smoothie on 2014-08-30

My green smoothie on 2014-08-30, Saturday. Ingredients: 950 grams: Carrot, apple, orange, strawberry, frozen banana and organic vegetables Cai Xin. Water 200ml. Total smoothie about 1250ml. Taste: Good. Ref: 2215.





Improving Concentration Slideshow: Tips for Email, Cell Phones, and Other Distractions

Improving Concentration Slideshow: Tips for Email, Cell Phones, and Other Distractions

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Your sense of taste can fade with age.

Your sense of taste can fade with age.


When older adults lose their appetites, it may be because their senses of taste and smell aren't what they used to be. Make sure they have tasty food! See if they need assistance with cooking or shopping for food. Having good company at meals helps, too.


Info source:
http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/rm-quiz-weight-and-aging?ecd=wnl_wlw_083014&ctr=wnl-wlw-083014_nsl-ld-stry&mb=GULHw1r0yczQttMGkoWNR%40HnVev1imbCX2R%2fDNcXcrE%3d


Sent from my iPhone

Top 10 Vitamin B12 Foods

Top 10 Vitamin B12 Foods

Info source: 




According to the George Mateljan Foundation, the mostvitamin B12 rich foods are:

  1. Beef and Chicken Liver (550% RDA)

  2. Sardines (337.9%)

  3. Salmon (236.2%)

  4. Tuna (110.8%)

  5. Cod (109.1%)

  6. Lamb (104.5%)

  7. Scallops (101.6%)

  8. Beef (grass-fed) (60%)

  9. Yogurt (37.9%)

  10. Venison (36%)

  11. Raw milk (22.9%)

  12. Turkey (10%)


Friday, August 29, 2014

RESPECT other people's way of thinking

RESPECT other people's way of thinking


Info source:

RESPECT other people's way of thinking - 9GAG http://m.9gag.com/gag/anXKg9z?ref=fbp

Thursday, August 28, 2014

My Weight (Loss) Management from 2007-05-28 to 2014-08-28 (weight loss by Calorie Restriction, i.e. Dietary Energy Restriction):

My Weight (Loss) Management from 2007-05-28 to 2014-08-28 (weight loss by Calorie Restriction, i.e. Dietary Energy Restriction):

2007-05-28 morning, my weight = 65.0 kg, BMI = 23.588
2007-06-28 morning, my weight = 61.0 kg, BMI = 22.136
2007-07-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410
2007-08-28 morning, my weight = 58.7 kg, BMI = 21.302
2007-09-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866
2007-10-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866
2007-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2007-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140
2008-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2008-02-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2008-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-04-28 morning, my weight = 54.4 kg, BMI = 19.741
2008-05-28 morning, my weight = 54.1 kg, BMI = 19.632
2008-06-28 morning, my weight = 54.6 kg, BMI = 19.814
2008-07-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-08-28 morning, my weight = 54.3 kg, BMI = 19.705
2008-09-28 morning, my weight = 54.9 kg, BMI = 19.923
2008-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068
2008-11-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2009-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2009-02-28 morning, my weight = 55.9 kg, BMI = 20.285
2009-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2009-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068
2009-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104.
2009-06-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031
2009-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995
2009-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031
2009-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431
2009-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249
2009-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2009-12-28 morning, my weight = 56.1 kg, BMI = 20.358
2010-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2010-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503
2010-03-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467
2010-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213
2010-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995
2010-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467
2010-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140
2010-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249
2010-09-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249
2010-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104
2010-11-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2010-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140
2011-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104
2011-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503
2011-03-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2011-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213
2011-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2011-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431
2011-07-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503
2011-08-28 morning, my weight = 56.9 kg, BMI = 20.649
2011-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2011-10-28 morning, my weight = 56.8 kg, BMI = 20.613
2011-11-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410
2011-12-28 morning, my weight = 60.3 kg, BMI = 21.882
2012-01-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318
2012-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2012-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.5 kg, BMI = 22.681
2012-04-28 morning, my weight = 61.3 kg, BMI = 22.246
2012-05-28 morning, my weight = 60.7 kg, BMI = 22.028
2012-06-28 morning, my weight = 60.6 kg, BMI = 21.992
2012-07-28 morning, my weight = 61.2 kg, BMI = 22.209
2012-08-28 morning, my weight = 60.8 kg, BMI = 22.064
2012-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318**
2012-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608
2012-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.4 kg, BMI = 23.008***
2012-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826
2013-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863
2013-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536
2013-03-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318
2013-04-28 12.45 pm, my weight = 63.1 kg, BMI = 22.899****
2013-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608
2013-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2013-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2013-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg BMI = 22.717
2013-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg BMI = 22.645**
2013-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609
2013-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899
2013-12-28 morning, my weight = 64.4 kg BMI = 23.371
2014-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.6 kg, BMI = 23.080
2014-02-28 morning, my weight = 63.3 kg, BMI = 22.971
2014-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826
2014-06-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899
2014-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
.=====================================
Note 1:

2014-08-28 morning, my weight = 61.7 kg, + 500g BMI = 22.572 at 0008 am

2014-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, + 500g BMI = 22.753 at 0020 am

2014-06-28 at 7.30 am, my weight = 62.6 kg + 500g= 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899

2014-05-28 at 5.40 am, my weight = 62.4 + 500g = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826

2014-04-28 at 5.40 am, my weight = 62.2 + 500g = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-03-28 at 5.30 am, my weight = 62.2 + 500g = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

**2012-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318** (Estimated Weight)
**2013-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg BMI = 22.645** (Estimated)


2014-02-28 5.31 am
62.8 kg + 500g = 63.3 kg

2014-01-28 5.34 am
63.1 kg + 500g
63.6 kg

2013/12/28 7 am
63.9 kg + 500 g
= 64.4 kg

2013-11-28 7.00 am
62.6 kg + 500 g Camry
= 63.1 kg

2012-10-28 Sunday 7.00 am
61.8 kg + 500 g = 62.3 kg

2013-08-28 0028 am
62.1 kg + 500 grams
= 62.6 kg
BMI 22.717

2013-07-28 0030 am
61.9 kg + 500g = 62.4 kg
BMI = 22.645

On 2010-10-30, Tanita BC532 replaced watson Scale because the battery low too fast.

Note 2:

JP weight on 28-6-2012 at 71.0 pm  60.1 kg + 500g = 60.6 kg
Bmi 21.99

JP weight on 28-07-2012 6.05 am
60.7 kg + 500 g = 61.2 kg
BMI 22.209

JP 2012-08-28 weight 7.15 am
60.3 kg + 500 g = 60.8 kg
BMI 22.064

2012-09-28 Estimated weight = 61.5 kg


2012-10-28 Sunday 7.00 am
61.8 kg + 500 g = 62.3 kg
BMI 22.6085

2012-11-28 Wednesday 6.55 am
62.9 kg + 500g = 63.4 kg
BMI 23.076

2012-12-28 6.39 am
62.4 kg + 500g = 62.9 kg
BMI 22.826

2013-01-28 Monday 5.30 am
62.5 kg + 500g = 63.00 kg
BMI 22.8625

2013-02-28 Thursday 6.10 am
61.6 kg + 500g = 62.1 kg
BMI 22.5359

2013-03-28 Thu 5.26 am
61.0 kg + 500g = 61.5 kg
BMI = 22.318

2013-05-28 Sun 5.26 am
61.8 kg + 500g = 62.3 kg

****Note(MD28): Attended second sister’s birthday buffet dinner at 8.00 pm on 2013-04-27.
My Weight 2012-05-28, 7 am weight = (Watson Scale ) 60.2 kg + 500 g

My weight on 2012-04-28, 7.06 am = (Watson Scale ) 60.8 kg + 500 g = 61.3 kg


Weight on 2012-03-28 7 am = (Watson Scale ) 62.00 kg + 500g = 62.5 kg

At 0730 hour of 2012-02-28. Watson Scale = 62.2 + 500g = 62.7 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0730 hour of 2012-01-28. Watson Scale = 61.0 + 500g = 60.3 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0730 hour of 2011-12-28. Watson Scale = 59.8 + 500g = 60.3 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)


At 0730 hour of 2011-11-28. Watson Scale = 58.5+ 500g = 59.0kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)


At 0730 hour of 2011-10-28. Watson Scale = 56.3kg + 500g = 56.8 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0530 hour of 2011-09-28. Watson Scale = 55.7 kg + 500g = 56.2 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0530 hour of 2011-05-28. Watson Scale = 55.1kg + 500g = 55.6 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0530 hour of 2011-04-28. Watson Scale = 55.2kg + 500g = 55.7 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0730 hour of 2011-03-28. Watson Scale = 55.1kg + 500g = 55.6 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0530 hour of 2011-02-28. Watson Scale = 56.0 kg + 500g = 56.5 kg
(Tanita BC 532 Scale is out of order)

At 0530 hour of 2011-01-28. Tanita BC 532 Scale = 55.5 kg

At 0700 hour of 2010-12-28. Tanita BC 532 Scale = 55.5 kg

At 0800 hour of 2010-11-28. Tanita BC 532 Scale = 55.6 kg

At 0530 hour of 2010-10-28. Watson Scale = 54.9 kg + 500g = 55.4 kg. Tanita Scale = not used

At 0530 hour of 2010-09-28. Watson Scale = 55.3 kg + 500g = 55.8kg. Tanita Scale = not used

At 0730 hour of 2010-08-28. Watson Scale = 55.3 kg + 500g = 55.8kg. Tanita Scale = not used

At 0530 hour of 2010-07-28. Watson Scale = 55.0 kg + 500g = 55.5kg
But Tanita Scale = not used

At 0530 hour of 2010-06-28. Watson Scale = 55.9 kg + 500g = 56.4 kg
But Tanita Scale = 56.2 kg .

At 0650 hour of 2010-04-28. Watson Scale = 55.2 kg and
Tanita Scale = 55.7 kg which is the same as Watson reading (in kg) + 500g.

At 0630 hour of 2010-05-28. Watson Scale = 54.6 kg + 500g = 55.1 kg

 At 0530 hour of 2010-06-28. Watson Scale = 55.8kg + 500g = 56.3 kg

At 0530 hour of 2010-07-28. Watson Scale = 56.0kg + 500g = 56.5 kg

At 0830 hour of 2010-08-28. Watson Scale = 56.4kg + 500g = 56.9 kg

Note: From 2010-02-01, Watson weighing scale had replaced Camry, which became faulty. In the past reading of Camry was about 500g more than that of Watson. To maintain consistency, so my weight =Watson reading (in kg) + 500g.

On 2010-03-28, at about 7.40 am, my weight by Camry = 55.9 kg + 500g = 56.4 kg. I also used Tanita BC-532 Body Composition Monitor to confirm that my weight was 56.4 kg.

My current BMI is within the healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9.

For me, the range of healthy weight is 50.9786 kg (BMI = 18.5) to 63.10324 kg (BMI = 22.9).

People with BMI values of 23 kg/m2 (or 25 kg/m2 according to some sources) and above have been found to be at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

To be healthy, I must have a healthy weight.

Be as lean as possible without being underweight, as recommended by World Cancer Prevention Foundation, United Kingdom.




Where to buy nuts and seeds in Singapore ( Some useful info given by "guguess")

The following is extracted form
http://www.vegetarian-society.org/my_forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=6620 for your convenience although it was posted by "guguess" on Thursday,  19 July 2012 at 8:07 pm. The info is still quite relevant.

=======Th start of the post =======

Where to buy nuts and seeds

It would be interesting to know if you can get it cheaper elsewhere than listed.

NTUC Finest
Origins organic Brown Flaxseed Meal
s$3.50 for 250g which is S$14 per kg
-Once open, be sure to store it in a airtight ziplock bag in the fridge. Minimum is 1 teaspoon per day.

NTUC Finest
Nature's Glory organic Brown Flaxseed
s$3.40 for 500g which is S$6.80 per kg
-Only if you have a coffee grinder/mill or a nuts and spice grinder/mill. Normal blender won't work, and I had no luck with mortar and pestle. I don't think you can get it much cheaper elsewhere.

NTUC Finest
Nature's Glory organic Sunflower Seed
s$2.40 for 250g which is s$9.60 per kg
-Surprisingly, Non-organic is not much cheaper.

NTUC
non-organic home brand white sesame seed
S$0.64 for 100g which makes it s$6.40 per kg
-Much cheaper than organic.

Sheng Siong
non-organic Happy Family dried raw Almonds
s$11.80 per kg
-this is probably near wholesale prices

Sheng Siong
non-organic Happy Family dried raw Cashews
s$15.50 per kg
- same as above

location of Sheng Siong shops in Singapore



_________________
D only thing needed 4 ignorance 2 spread, is 4 decent men 2 remain silent.

======= The end of the post =======


10 ways to boost your energy naturally

10 ways to boost your energy naturally




Load up on magnesium too boost your energy



Load up on magnesium

"Magnesium is critical for more than 300 energy reactions in the body," Teitelbaum says. "But most Americans are magnesium deficient, which can cause fatigue, muscle pain or anxiety." Try to work more magnesium into your diet. Teitelbaum says almonds are especially high in this mineral; green, leafy vegetables have a lot, too.

What Are the Healthiest Nuts?

Info source http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/25/pistachios.aspx?x_cid=20140825_nonlead_facebookdoc

What Are the Healthiest Nuts?

Pistachios, provided they are organic, not bleached and not contaminated with aflatoxin or fumigants, provide a beneficial source of antioxidants and other nutrients. My favorite nuts, however, are macadamia and pecans, as they provide the highest amount of healthy fat while being on the lower end in terms of carbs and protein. Most nuts' nutritional makeup closely resemble what I consider to be an ideal ratio of the basic building blocks—fat making up the greatest amount of your daily calories, followed by a moderate amount of high-quality protein, and a low amount of non-vegetable carbs.
The main fatty acid in macadamia nuts is the monounsaturated fat oleic acid (about 60 percent). This is about the level found in olives, which are well known for their health benefits. Generally speaking, each type of nut will offer a slightly different mix of nutrients for your health, so it's a good idea to include a variety of nuts rather than sticking to one at the exclusion of all others. In addition to pistachios, you may want to consider adding the following beneficial nuts to your diet as well:
  • Raw macadamia nuts are a powerhouse of a nut, containing a wide variety of critical nutrients including high amounts of vitamin B1, magnesium, manganese, and healthful monounsaturated fat, just to name a few. They have the highest fat and lowest protein and carb content of any nut. This is particularly helpful if you are seeking to implement intermittent fasting and treating insulin resistance.
  • Pecans: Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals, and research has shown they may help lower LDL cholesterol and promote healthy arteries. One of my favorite treats is candied pecans in a salad at a restaurant. I know they have sugar, but a few grams or less a day is not going to cause a major problem provided you're eating a healthy whole food diet as opposed to processed foods (which are loaded with hidden fructose). Pecans are a close second to macadamia nuts on the fat and protein scale.
  • Walnuts: Walnuts are good sources of plant-based omega-3 fats, natural phytosterols, and antioxidants that are so powerful at free radical scavenging that researchers have called them "remarkable."23 Plus, walnuts may help reduce not only the risk of prostate cancer, but breast cancer as well. They've also been shown to reverse brain aging in rats and boost heart health in people with diabetes.
  • Almonds: One of the healthiest aspects of almonds appears to be their skins, as they are rich in antioxidants including phenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which are typically associated with vegetables and fruits. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry even revealed that a one-ounce serving of almonds has a similar amount of total polyphenols as a cup of steamed broccoli or green tea.24
  • Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts are an excellent source of organic selenium, a powerful antioxidant-boosting mineral that may be beneficial for the prevention of cancer.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

My ideal blood pressure (Bishan/MM) on 2014-08-26, Tuesday, at 10.51 a.m.

My ideal blood pressure (Bishan/MM) on 2014-08-26, Tuesday, at 10.51 a.m. was:

systolic blood pressure = 117
diastolic blood pressure = 69
pulse rate per minute = 62





Monday, August 25, 2014

Book " The End of Diabetes -The Eat to Live Plan to Prevent and Reverse Diabetes"By Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Note 2:  The book arrived on 2014-09-12.

Note 1: I ordered this book online on 2014-08-26. This is the third book I have ordered online.


Info source: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0062219987?pc_redir=1408798016&robot_redir=1


Book " The End of Diabetes

The Eat to Live Plan to Prevent and Reverse Diabetes"

By Dr. Joel Fuhrman

==================

Product Details

  • Publisher: HarperOne
  • Publication date: April 8, 2014
  • Language: English
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
  • Book length: 320
  • ISBN-10: 0062219987
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062219985
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: 1066

===========

Product Description

The New York Times bestselling author ofEat to Live and Super Immunity and one of the country’s leading experts on preventive medicine offers a scientifically proven, practical program to prevent and reverse diabetes—without drugs.
At last, a breakthrough program to combat the rising diabetes epidemic and help millions of diabetics, as well as those suffering with high blood pressure and heart disease. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. Research director of the Nutritional Research Foundation, shows you how to live a long, healthy, and happy life—disease free. He offers a complete health transformation, starting with a diet with a high nutrient-per-calorie ratio that can be adapted for individual needs.
Dr. Fuhrman makes clear that we don’t have to “control” diabetes. Patients can choose to follow better nutritional guidelines that will control it for them, even before they have lost excess weight. The end result is a medical breakthrough—a comprehensive reversal of the disease.


Scurvy: What is scurvy!


Scurvy is a disease that occurs when you have a severe lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in your diet. Scurvy causes general weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin hemorrhages.



Sent from my iPhone

Collagen, Vitamin C, Scurvy, Lysine and proline

http://www.livestrong.com/article/428024-amino-acids-to-produce-collagen/

AMINO ACID MODIFICATION

Glycine accounts for one-third of the amino acids in the collagen molecule. Lysine and proline, which constitute another one-sixth of the collagen strand's amino acid content, are converted to hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline before they are incorporated into the strand. The enzyme that performs these conversions requires vitamin C as a cofactor. Hence, a deficiency of vitamin C inhibits the conversion of proline and lysine and interferes with the production of collagen. This interference is the basis for scurvy, a nutritional disease that leads to the breakdown of your skin and mucous membranes.

Amino Acids and Collagen

Amino Acids and Collagen


The building blocks that make up all proteins, including collagen, are called amino acids. If you lack the amino acids that combine to form collagen, your body's cells can't produce enough of it. What are the amino acids necessary for collagen production, then, and how can you make sure you're getting enough for your body?

Threonine is an essential amino acid for collagen production. An essential amino acid is one your body cannot make, so you have to get it from food or dietary supplements. You can get threonine from foods such as lentils, peanuts, eggs, milk, pork, beef and chicken. If you prefer a vegetarian diet, you can also get threonine from soybeans, chickpeas, hummus, snap beans and asparagus [source: Das]. 

Everything from a chicken dinner to a mid-day peanut snack may provide a benefit to your skin.

Another amino acid that aids in collagen production is proline. Unlike threonine, proline is a nonessential amino acid; nonessential amino acids are ones that either the body or other essential amino acids can produce. You can also help your body by eating foods high in proline, such as gelatin, soy, milk, cheese, beef and cabbage [source: Nutrition Data]. 

And as we mentioned before, vitamin C works along with proline to promote collagen production. Foods such as oranges, lemons and limes contain vitamin C.


You don't have to wait until the fine lines on your face turn into heavy wrinkles to think about preventing the signs of aging. You don't have to resort to expensive plastic surgery, either. To find out lots more information about collagen and basic skin care, see the links on the next page.