WHAT IS COLLAGEN?
Collagen is a protein (a biological polymer consisting of amino acids) that serves as a key face skin care structural component of connective tissue such as skin, bones, ligaments, etc. Dermis, the inner layer of the skin, contains large amounts of collagen whose fibers form a supporting mesh responsible for skin's mechanical characteristics such as strength, texture and resilience.
As any material, collagen is subject to wear and tear: it slowly breaks down over time. Skin cells called fibroblasts are capable of producing collagen. When needed, fibroblasts replace broken collagen fibers with new ones. Unfortunately, as we age the skin's ability to replace damaged collagen diminishes and more gaps and irregularities develop in the collagen mesh; this process eventually leads to wrinkles and folds. Thus, one important target of anti wrinkle treatment and elimination regiment is to reduce collagen breakdown and increase its supply, thus giving you the perfect anti wrinkle treatment. This task is achievable but you must to go about it in the right way.
The Facts of Collagen
- Rich in essential amino acids - Many people without realizing it have a deficiency in the typical amino acids required for connective tissue.
- This is one of the major reasons for disease of the support and ambulatory systems. Typical wear-and-tear symptoms such as osteoarthritis (joint wear) and osteoporosis (bone loss) are now major and very widespread diseases.
- Deficiency of the amino acids glycine and proline e.g. can become apparent in brittle fingernails, glossless and split hairs as well as joint pain subsequent to sustained physical activity.
- "The body reacts by increasing the amount of abrasion of cartilage. However, collagen can compensate for such nutritional deficiencies" explained Dr.Beuker at a Health Forum held on October 10, 2001 in Eberbach.
- The natural foodstuff collagen differs from other protein products in that it contains ten-to-twenty times the concentration of the amino acids glycine and proline. These particular amino acids are important components of bone, tendons, ligaments and joints and provide them with their firmness and elasticity.
- The amino acid content of collagen is about one third glycine and a further 22% proline and hydroproline; the remaining 45% comprise 17 amino acids. Collagen has a particular high content of acidic and basic amino acids. Of the acidic amino acids (glutamic acid and aspartic acid), about one third is present in the amino form as glutamine and aspargine. Cystein is completely absent; of the sulphur-containing amino acids, methionine is the only one present, in low proportion.
- "Due to its special composition of amino acids, it acts as a sort of 'power nutrition' for joint cartilage", explained Dr.Beuker, sports medical specialist in amino acids.
- They contain no fat or carbohydrates, no purine or cholesterol and are in addition free of all preservatives. Pure collagen complies fully with all bacteriological standards.
CANDIDATES FOR COLLAGEN TREATMENT
Most people opting for collagen treatment are 25 to 65 years old and would like to minimize early signs of aging such as faint or moderate smile and frown lines.
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