Collagen: Supports skin, joint health

• Supports healthy joints
• For younger-looking skin

What is Collagen?

Collagen is the fibrous structural protein that makes up the white fibers (collagenous fibers) of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage, and all other connective tissues. It is also found dispersed in gels of the body to provide stiffening, such as in the vitreous humour of the eye. In other words, collagen is the natural protein that composes most of the body’s structural support and is the primary substance of connective tissue. It is the fibrous connective tissue that holds our body together. Collagen is present in all multi-cellular organisms.

Collagen gives the different organs and tissues their strength and elastic properties. Twenty-five percent of the dry protein weight of the human body is collagen. Seventy-five percent of our skin is made of it, and in total – some thirty percent of our entire body is collagen. Collagen is part of the natural make-up of tendons, ligaments, joints, muscles, hair, skin, and vital organs.

Hyaluronic Acid: Nicknamed "The Key to the Fountain of Youth"

• May slow the signs of wrinkles and ageing
• May help even out skin tones
• Maintains eye health
• Helps correct problems found in connective tissues

What is Hyaluronic Acid? 

Hyaluronic Acid is a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. It is one of the chief components of the extracellular matrix, contributes significantly to cell proliferation and migration. The average 70 kg man has roughly 15 grams of hyaluronan in his body, one-third of which is turned over (degraded and synthesised) every day.

Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed the "key to the fountain of youth" because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages. Could Hyaluronic Acid be an anti-ageing remedy?

Scientists have recently focused on the possible anti-ageing benefits of hyaluronic acid, also known as Hyaluron or HA. In a story entitled, "The Village of Long Life: Could Hyaluronic Acid Be an Anti-Ageing Remedy?", the focus was on a villiage in Japan named Yuzuri Hara where people usually live a long time and often have perfect skin into their 80's or even into their 90's. More than 10 percent of the population of his village is 85 or older, which is about ten times the average person.

Some studies suggest that the reason that residents of Yuzuri Hara, known as "The Village of Long Life," live such long and healthy lives is mainly due to the fact that the local diet that is unique to the village features a starchy vegetable which is particularly rich in HA. In fact a large pharmaceutical company in Japan began Research & Development on a pill supplement containing HA. When they tested the pills on one thousand individuals, around half of them reported smoother skin and even improved eyesight. Hyaluronic acid has also proven effective in lubricating arthritic joints as well, as certain studies have shown positive results from injections into the joints of Hyaluronic Acid, a component of the bodies own lubricant fluid, that may delay the need for a joint replacement.