Collagen and anti-ageing

What is Collagen?
Collagen is a connective tissue protein that works like "scaffolding", holding the body's cells together.  Collagen is the most important building block of cartilage, tendons, bones, muscle and blood vessels, and is the main structural component (75%) of the skin.  Collagen is made up of chains or building blocks of amino acids, some of which are essential for connective tissue.

Collagen and anti-ageing
As we age, the body's ability to make collagen slows down by 1.5% per year over the age of 25, weakening the connective tissues that hold skin together.  The depletion of collagen in our skin leads to the formation of wrinkles, lines, loss of elasticity, rough texture and dryness.

So why is it that some people "age" or show signs of ageing faster than others?
Our rate of ageing is determined by both external and internal factors.  Some of which we have control over.

Why damages and destroys collagen?

• External environmental agressors - sun, wind, rain, products on skin, makeup, smoking.  These can cause free radical damage (production of free radicals), which damage and breakdown the skins natural barrier (epidermis).
• Internal agressors - (which produce free radical damage internally) Poor diet, loaded with fats (from meat), processed foods etc, breathing in pollution, smoking - inhalation, alcohol consumption.
   

How to help support and synthesise the natural production of collagen

Lifestyle

• Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins is helpful because these nutrients help in the conversion of functional keratin into collagen
• Ensure you are getting adequate levels of vitamin C.  The body requires vitamin C in order to make collagen.
• Get 7-9 hours sleep each night.  Without enough sleep, the skin will be unable to rebuild dead and dying cells and this is when aging occurs.
  

Skincare

• Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum - Designed to help support and intensify the collagen-boosting properties of Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream, it's an essential first step for anyone concerned by signs of ageing, including sun-damage.
   
• Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream - scientifically shown to stimulate synthesis of collagen production in human skin cells by up to 92%* (see graph to the right)
   

Supplementation

Collagen supplements replenish the diminishing supply of collagen in our body.  Regular intake of a collagen supplement makes your skin nourished, and supports joint mobility.  Hardy's recommend:

• Pro-Col Collagen - High concentrate collagen supplement with 400mg of Hydrolysed Collagen per capsule
   
• Radiance Ageless Beauty - A complete skin supplement including collagen (250mg per capsule), antioxidants and other specific nutrients for skin health.