The world of Tzu Chi March-April 2022 (Vol.140)

TZU CHI 140 51 Ng Hui Ling A nutritionist with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and a Master’s degree in Sports Science. She had served with the Singapore Heart Foundation before becoming a self-employed dietary consultant to vegetarians, and a contributor to a health magazine. a vegetarian or not, the human body has the capability to synthesize collagen, and there is no food that you must absolutely consume in order to have collagen. In making collagen, the main amino acids our body needs are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, which are not essential amino acids. This means that our body can synthesize these amino acids on its own. As long as we consume the necessary nutrients, the human body can make its own collagen. It is worth mentioning that some vegetarians believe that slimy plant-based food, such as peach resin, black fungus and lady’s fingers, can help vegetarians replenish their collagen. In fact, collagen only exists in animal tissues. Having said that, although these plant-based foods do not contain collagen, readers who like such foods may continue to eat them. Even without collagen, these foods can provide us with dietary fibre, which is equally important to our health. Vitamin C – Collagen’s good partner For those who yearn to stay youthful and slow the signs of aging, it is important to know that the production of collagen requires Vitamin C. This means a deficiency of Vitamin C will impede the synthesis of collagen. This is because the human body cannot synthesize Vitamin C, and it must be obtained from our diet. In short, instead of splurging money on collagen supplements, it may be more sensible to plan our daily diet to ensure we consume a sufficient quantity of protein and consume foods rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis and others. With these natural sources readily available for the body, it will naturally use them to manufacture collagen. I personally think that this is a more economical and meaningful way of caring for the body. Interestingly, the other day a young girl asked me, “If consuming collagen will keep our skin young, will there be any old people in the world?” After hearing this, I thought to myself secretly and happily, “I will cherish my remaining life to read, follow the course of nature, and accept with equanimity the Ng Hui Ling who has aged slowly by then.” What will you say? * Various types of dried fish bladder.