Collagen is produced naturally by the body and is vital to the body's functioning. Collagen is a major constituent of the body's joints, muscles, hair, skin, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen makes up the resilient sheets that support our skin and internal organs. Bones and teeth are made when the body adds mineral crystal to the body's collagen. (1) Collagen protects and supports the softer tissues of the body, and it connects them to our skeleton. (2) In other words, collagen is both the material and the glue that holds our body together.

Unfortunately with age and as a result of exposure to the sun, collagen fibre components begin to weaken, become less pliable and tougher. The body produces less naturally over time, the result being the development of dry, wrinkled skin that has lost it's inherent elasticity.

The question is, can orally ingested collagen supplement replace missing collagen and activate the formation of new collagen by the body, thus helping arrest and reverse this condition.

Collagen Products Are Not All the Same

Not all collagen products are the same, and not all are effective. Most collagens are so poorly absorbed that they are a waste of money. Of the very few collagen products that remain, most have a very low absorption rate, something in the region of twenty percent.

Fortunately, a significant scientific breakthrough occurred as the result of a partnership between a French formulator, a talented group of bio-chemists, and a well known Canadian medical grade laboratory. After considerable research and expense, the partnership developed a highly bioactive collagen matrix that the body assimilates early in the digestive process.

Pure-Col is formulated through a complex process which is the result of over 25 years research and development. This has resulted in a pure collagen supplement with very high bio-availability leading to over 95% absorption. Due to it's formulation Pure-Col can be absorbed directly as it enters the stomach, avoiding the diminishing effects of acid breakdown from further digestion. As Pure-Col is a pure hydrolysed collagen matrix it stimulates production of all kinds of collagen rather than only one of the fourteen.

Pure-Col is the premium collagen supplement product available, and in a 90 day trial by Dr. Stephen Ho, Pure-Col was found to be far superior to liquid or the market collagens. He also concluded that Pure-Col, taken on a regular basis, resulted in a more youthful appearance and feeling. Pains were reduced along with a significant decrease in body weight and body fat. He also reported that the group taking Pure-Col experienced a more restful and longer sleep period and more energy during the activity hours.

A little known fact is that any type of collagen, especially Type II, begins to degrade the moment it is exposed to liquid. Thus, liquid preparations made with this kind of collagen start degrading immediately. To stop this, fillers, preservatives, and other ingredients are added to slow the process. This additional processing causes a negative bio-conversion, which limits the product's effectiveness.

OTHER CLINICAL STUDIES

A 2008 study in Tokyo (3) of 33 women ages 40-60 who took 10 g of Hydrolysed Collagen daily for 2 months showed a 91% increase in skin hydration and resilience.

A Dermiscan study in Lyon France in 2008 showed in an age group of 35-55: an increase in skin smoothness and hydration, using the new Corneometer and Skin Image Analyzer technologies. (4, 5) After 12 weeks of 10g Hydrolyzed Collagen daily, 41% less furrowing, less wrinkles, more resilient, more hydrated.

Other scientists have shown exactly how the new collagen is rebuilt, not only in the skin, but in bones and ligaments. Metabolites of Hydrolyzed Collagen build bone, skin and ligaments by attracting fibroblasts. This is how they trigger the synthesis of new collagen(6).

Hydrolysed Collagen also increases the diameter of collagen fibrils in the dermis by the same mechanism: fibroblast stimulation. This in turn increases cohesion of the dermal collagen fibers themselves, which is a true anti-aging step. In the skin, this action means increased thickness, suppleness and resilience, as well as hydration.

There is growing evidence to show that substituting diminishing levels of collagen with a hydrolysed collagen will help replace that lost from the skin to make it appear younger, firmer and more hydrated.

References:

• 1. A. Berton, V. Rigot, E. Huet, M. Decarme, Y. Eeckhout, L. Patthy, G. Godeau, W. Hornebeck, G. Bellon, and H. Emonard. Involvement of Fibronectin Type II Repeats in the Efficient Inhibition of Gelatinases A and B by Long-chain Unsaturated Fatty Acids, Journal Of Biological Chemistry, June 2001.
• 2. Alex Suh, DC, during a personal interview conducted during April, 2003.
• 3. SOUKEN study Tokyo Japan: two month study hydrolyzed collagen 2008
• 4. DERMISCAN study Lyon France Cutaneous propoerties of hydrolyzed collagen 2008.
• 5. COURAGE and KHAZAKA study moisturizing effect of hydrolyzed collagen measue with Corneometer and Skin Image Analyzer.
• 6. Posstlethwaite, A – 1978 Chemotactic attraction of human fibroblasts National Acad. Of Sciences vol 75(20 p 871 )
• 7. Sumida E The effect of oral ingestion of collagen peptide on skin hydration Journal of Nutritional Food vol 7(3) p 45_x000D_