Saturday, February 2, 2008

What Is Collagen And Why Is It So Important?

Collagen is a protein polymer that is the scaffolding of the body's cell structure. It is a long, fibrous structural protein that is very different from globular proteins like enzymes. It is composed of Tropocollagen Triple Helix. Each strand of the helix is a different polypeptide. Each subunit of Tropocollagen is a long rod of about 300nm in length and about 1.5nm in diameter. The tensile strength of collagen is greater than steel, giving the body strength in its connective tissues.

As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen makes up 40% of the protein in all mammals. 75% of the skin, the largest organ of the body, is collagen. It literally means "glue producer" in Greek. This is a very appropriate name for this protein since this is, in large part, what it does – it forms the connective tissue that binds the body together at the cellular level.

There are thirteen types of collagen with Type I being the most abundant. Type I is found in scar tissue, tendons and the organic parts of the bones. It is what gives skin its elasticity and strength. As we age, collagen is lost, causing the skin to wrinkle and tear easily. Vitamin C deficiency is characterized by defective collagen not forming strong connective tissue resulting in things like deteriorating and bleeding gums, loss of teeth, skin discoloration and wounds not healing.

Collagen is vital to the body as the main component of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, teeth and bones. The skin gets its strength and elasticity from this component, as said before. Blood vessels are strengthened by it and it plays an important role in tissue development. When blood vessels collapse, usually when an attempt is made to draw blood or establish an IV, it is most likely due to a breakdown of collagen.

Besides being an important part of connective tissue, it also plays a major role in other things like cell differentiation and shape. Healing is another part of it's function. It is a major part of the regeneration and healing of broken bones and blood vessels growing to feed healing areas.

To emphasize the importance of collagen, lets imagine for a moment, an elaborate beadwork piece. The piece is held together with thread but it is not seen. Pull the thread out and the beads fall apart. The thread is an absolute necessity to hold the beadwork together. So, too, is collagen a necessity to hold our bodies together and help them heal. Many people only know of collagen as part of cosmetic surgery and skin care creams. They do not realize just how important a role it plays in every part of our bodies.
Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about collagen.

How Are Collagen Tablets Used

You’ve probably heard of collagen and products such as collagen tablets, but may not necessarily know what they are. You may also be aware of injections that some women take in order to make their lips fuller. This is only one use of a remarkable substance that is necessary for all animal life.

What is Collagen?
Basically, collagen is a kind of protein. While the word “protein” is often used in association with food, the fact is that there are several different kinds of proteins in all living things, even plants.

In general, proteins are organic, or carbon-based compounds that consist of chains of molecules, the elements of which are primarily carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. These are known as “amino acids,” and are essentially the basic building blocks of life itself.
The function of proteins is to facilitate the many biochemical interactions and functions within living cells that allow life to exist.

What Does Collagen Do?
Collagen is responsible for maintaining our connective tissues such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons. One of the reasons our joints tend to become stiff and painful as we get older is because as we get older, our bodies’ production of collagen slows and our supply starts to diminish.

This is also why wounds heal more slowly as we age; this particular form of protein, which is fibrous and elastic (almost like rubber), is one of the main components in scar tissue.
Once we reach the age of 25, our collagen starts to diminish at an average rate of 1.5% per year. This means that by the time we are 40, nearly one-third of the collagen we had in our youth is gone. The result is that that our skin loses elasticity, and wrinkles begin to form.

What Can Be Done About It?
Collagen tablets and capsules are one effective way to replace that which is lost due to the aging process. Although there are many topical applications on the market, such as skin creams and lotions, the most effective ways to replace lost collagen is either through expensive and uncomfortable injections, or by taking internally in the form of collagen tablets or capsules.

By taking the substance orally, it is able to travel throughout the body, carried by the bloodstream to the areas where it is needed. Not only can your skin become firmer and younger-looking, you will probably feel younger as well – particularly when it comes to those stiff joints!

What Else Can Collagen Tablets Do For Me?
As you may know, we tend to lose lean muscle tissue as we get older. This is related to collagen; tablets can be of great help in maintaining and replenishing muscle mass when used in conjunction with regular exercise. In addition, you may see an improvement in hair and nail growth (it is not a cure for baldness, however).

How Should I Use Them?
It is recommended that collagen tablets be taken just before bedtime in order to take advantage of the body’s own natural repair and regeneration cycles.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Understanding How Collagen Functions And How It Benefits You

Ultra Complex C 1000Who would want wrinkles on their faces, dry and sagging skin, and joint aches? I don't, do you? If only you could run after time, it's as plain as the nose on my face that you would race against it just to have that feeling of youthfulness and strength you once had. But, it's never too late. These signs of aging can be prevented by slowing down their development. It's so easy! Take that ridiculous thought of racing against time off of your mind. Just the thought of it makes me feel more aged! All you need to do is understand why these things occur. Its collagen or the lack of it that is responsible for the deterioration of your skin.

Collagen functions as scaffolding for our body. It is the fibrous protein constituent of skin, cartilage, bones and other connective tissue. An appropriate and enough collagen supply in our body are extremely required, however it is no easy to maintain and achieve. Unfortunately, it is established that our body loses collagen at a rate of 1.5% per annum, starting at the age of 25. Collagen functions as a chondroprotective agent, which means that it protects cartilage and synovial fluid against degeneration.

The depletion of collagen in our skin leads to the formation of wrinkles and the occurrence of other signs of aging. If this happens, collagen function simply defeats its purpose. Another collagen function is that it can reduce oxidative damage to joints, hence, stimulate major decrease in joint pain, and swelling.

After we have understood the importance of collagen functions, we now realize how important enough supply of collagen in our body is. This is when collagen supplements step in. There are a wide variety of collagen supplements which are available at present. These collagen supplements replenish the diminishing supply of collagen in our body to perform its function. Regular intake of collagen supplement makes your skin nourished, and reduces joint pain. These supplements are made from natural ingredients such the ones found in different food, therefore, it is safe.

For the collagen functions to be maximized, maintain the collagen supply in your body by taking collagen supplement. The benefits these supplements give you include revitalizing your skin and keeping it healthy, reducing the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles, strengthen your nails and improve the condition of your hair. If supplement is taken before exercise or any physical activities, collagen functions at its best, increasing both energy and performance. They can also maintain and replenish lean muscle mass to improve the administration of your body's fat, therefore, take part in managing weight.

It is very important to know and understand the collagen functions in order for us to prevent the early signs of aging by slowing them down through regular intake of collagen supplement. If you want to live your life to the fullest, feeling and looking young, take care of your health and replenish your body's reducing supply of collagen.

An Overview Of Collagen

Ultra Complex C 1000It slices, it dices, it will help you win the lotto. Of course, we are talking about collagen, the popular skin treatment solution. Here is an overview of collagen.

An Overview of Collagen?
There are many materials that make the human body what it is. Bones make up the structural basis of the human body, while muscles and connective tissue fill in the rest. The skin is our outer protection, the facade that is seen by the rest of the world, and it's often the area that most people concentrate on when trying to change their appearance cosmetically. There are other areas that can change the way we look, however, and one important substance that has the ability to change our image is collagen.

Collagen is a protein – the main protein in the connective tissue of animals. It is also the most abundant protein found in the bodies of mammals with fully 40 percent of the total amount protein in our bodies being collagen. This protein is a long, fibrous structure with a lot of strength in the way it's formed. Collagen, along with keratin (another protein structure) is responsible for both the elasticity and strength found in human skin, and it also plays a role in tissue development.

When collagen degrades, skin changes shape. The degradation of collagen happens naturally as people age and the shape of the skin changes naturally as well. Less collagen means that your skin is not as elastic or able to hold to the structures below it, causing wrinkles and stretch marks to form. When collagen is lost from other body structures, such as ligaments, it can cause problems with joint pain and mobility.

So, what can be done about the loss of collagen? Since wrinkles are caused by this protein loss, doctors and cosmetic companies have been experimenting for years with ways to replace the missing collagen. Unfortunately, there is a high risk of reaction to organic collagen injections and other treatments with these reactions causing side effects that range from swelling to itching and rashes. Many plastic surgeons and doctors have discontinued using collagen injections for this reason.

Synthetic collagen, along with other wrinkle fillers such as Restylane, are now being used in place of traditional collagen injections. This way, people can get the same benefits of replacing this missing protein without having to deal with adverse reactions. When you hear someone mention collagen treatments, they are really referring to the synthetic option.
Combating collagen degradation is sure to continue to be a big research area in plastic surgery for years to come. This is particularly true as the baby boomer generation ages.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Low Absorption Of Copper? Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron May Be The Cause

Ultra Complex C 1000Have you been taking vitamin and mineral supplements for a long time but still feel fatigued, run down or developing usual symptoms and you haven’t figured out what’s wrong? You may be taking too many supplements. Its said that you can’t get too much of a good thing, but in the case of supplements you can. For instance if you are taking too much Vitamin C, Iron or Zinc you will not only develop symptoms of overdose for these supplements but you will inhibit your body’s ability to absorb Copper.

You may scoff at the idea, because how can anyone be so silly as to overdose on supplements. It happens all the time. Though with the recent explosion in popularity of the dietary supplement market many more people may actually be causing themselves harm. Do you know that Zinc works so well at inhibiting Copper absorption in the body that it is used to treat patients with Wilson’s Disease?

Your body only absorbs very small amounts of Copper but it’s an essential mineral. The required daily amount of Copper is about one to two milligrams it’s one of the elements necessary for our body’s health. We use Copper in linking elastin and collagen in skin tissue. Our bodies use Copper to store and release Iron, which is necessary for our blood. And Copper is a part of hundreds of enzymatic functions occurring daily.

If you are taking too much Zinc or Vitamin C or Iron and over a long enough period of time you can develop a Copper deficiency. Symptoms of deficiency are poor skin tissue formation ( since Copper is involved in crossing elastin and collagen your tissue will be weak), ruptured blood vessels, osteoporosis, joint abnormalities, bad cholesterol, anemia, and loss of hair and skin pigmentation.

Large doses of Zinc, Vitamin C and Iron can also lead to overdose symptoms. If you take too much Zinc you will develop gastrointestinal problems, hair loss, anemia, cramps, kidney problems, dizziness and vomiting. Too much Vitamin C will lead to diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Lastly too much Iron will cause dehydration, low blood sugar, drowsiness, fever and gastrointestinal problems.

If you’ll notice many of these symptoms overlap each other. If you’ve been taking many of these nutrients in combination for a long enough period of time it’s easy to see how overdose symptoms could develop. Many of these symptoms are generalized enough that you may even mistake them for a stomach flu that you can’t seem to shake. The recommended daily intake of Zinc is 15 milligrams, the RDA of Vitamin C is 60 milligrams and the RDA of Iron is 15 milligrams for women and 10 milligrams for men.

Remember to check how much supplement you are taking in order to make sure your body can properly absorb Copper and to prevent an overdose of many nutrients. You may also wish to consult a doctor if you have certain medical conditions that require more or less of a specific supplement.

Why You Need Collagen Supplements For A Better Life

Ultra Complex C 1000Collagen is the body's natural protein, and has most abundant form of natural protein found in cartilage, muscle, ligaments, tendons, and bones. It is the fundamental structural element of all connective tissue, therefore it accounts for between one quarter and one third of the body's protein. Collagen makes up about 90 % of dermal volume and 75 % of the body's skin tissue.

Collagen is regularly referred to as the building blocks of the skin. It functions as a chondroprotective agent, meaning it protects cartilage and synovial fluid against deterioration and is the raw material for cartilage synthesis and repair. In addition, it also reduces oxidative damage to joints and as a result, stimulates considerable decrease in joint pain, tenderness, and swelling. It plays a very important role in creating and maintaining healthy skin all over our body which is why collagen supplements have been produced.

Starting at the age of 25 our body loses 1.5% of collagen every year. As we age, the diminishing amount of collagen production of our body causes our skin to wrinkle and hair turns gray. It is the collagen's job to join the cells and organs in our body and if the production reduces, we start experiencing joint pains and wrinkles, weakening the connective tissue that holds us together. To replenish dried out collagen, lotions and creams have long been popular. Collagen injections for wrinkles are popular as well. Lately, attention has shifted to the use of collagen as an oral supplement.

Collagen ingested orally not only works all over our body but also very cost effective and can be beneficial to the skin and other parts of our body. It naturally contains 15% glucosamine sulphate and 15 % chondroitin sulphate. Collagen is non-toxic and has no known side effects. Oral collagen supplement encourages the rapid absorption of the essential amino acid, glysine, praline, and hydroxyproline all of which can preserve and replenish lean muscle mass and progress the management of the body's fat. Therefore, it can improve the quality of life of those suffering from aches and pains, and arthritis. That is why daily intake of collagen supplement not only improves the quality of life but also helps us to look and feel young.

It is advised that if you take collagen supplement, you should drink a lot of water of about 1-2 liters a day or other fluids but water is preferred. And it is recommended that if you have a medical condition, you should consult your doctor before taking collagen supplement.

There are many collagen supplements available in the market today claiming the benefits that collagen supplement provide like collagen revitalizes and rejuvenates, smoothens wrinkles, plumps up the skin, and relieves pain of arthritis, and the like.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Vitamines And You

Liquid life supplements repress all the essential nutrients required by your body.Ultra Complex C 1000
Liquid life keep in check all the essential nutrients required by your body. This attachment contains several , and vitamins. Liquid life contains minerals derived from the TRC plant. To satisfy your taste it comes in two i.e. Mango and Cherry Berry. This section also contains more nutrients some are as follows.

Vitamin B one serving of Liquid life cherry berry contains 2 mg of vitamin B6, 1000 mcg of B12. Vitamin B is a family of numerous extra like B6 and B12 etc.Vitamin B12 also known as ‘’ is industrial by contemporaneous in the intestine. This is essential for jumpy approach, manufacturing of red folk and development of humanoid body mainly at earlier . It also helps in the production of DNA during the cell branch activity. Its deficiency may cause uneasy structure disorders and abnormal cells concept also known as anemia.

Vitamin B6 also known as ‘pyridoxine’ in breakdown. It can also help trim down and PMS . This vitamin can also slash dietary fat level and is important of hair and skin. Vitamin B6 is as a rule start in milk, eggs, fish and meat.
Folic acid is also considered as a colleague of the B complex. Each portion of Liquid life contains 500 mcg of folic acid. Folic acid is essential for the translation of vitamin B12 during the manufacture of DNA, and so in formation of new cells. It also protects the chromosomes, initiate in the , from genetic . Folic acid also helps in guardianship skin nourishing. This is commonly institute in verdant vegetables.

Vitamin COne plateful of Liquid life cherry berry contains 800 mg of C or ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is a aquatic answerable vitamin and is essential in the formation of a special known as collagen. Collagen an important role in the evolution and development of , bones, kinship vessels and gristle. Vitamin C is also good for your teeth and plays important role absorption of iron which is very essential for anthropological body.

Vitamin DOne ration of Liquid life cherry berry contains 400 IU of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat fathomable and in progress of resilient . It also in the raptness of phosphorous and from which are also very essential for mortal body. The insufficiency of this may cause corrupted during childhood or flagging of in the later stages. Vitamin D is in a relaxed manner cut when skin is over-the-top- entertaining. Other relaxed sources enter morel and yeast.

Vitamin Kone helping of Liquid life cherry berry contains 80 mcg of vitamin K. Vitamin E is produced in the intestines and is fat solvable. The main of vitamin E embrace undergrowth and bacteria. Many bacteria can synthesize the . Vitamin E plays an important role in directing relations coagulation, is also helps talk into glucose to glycogen. It is also occupied in the tumor and repair of bones. Deficiency of this vitamin may cause inner hemorrhage and .

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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Collagen Supplements - What They Are And How They Work

Ultra Complex C 1000In determining whether or not collagen supplements would be right for you, it helps to know exactly what such supplements are, what they do and how they work. There are many companies on line and at local shopping centers offering collagen supplements, but not all are created equal.

Collagen is a type of protein. You’ve probably thought of protein as something necessary to one’s diet. While this is true, “proteins” in this particular case are defined as organic (carbon-based) compounds made up of amino acids (naturally-occurring molecules made up primarily of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen). The amino acids that make up a given protein are held together by chemical reactions between the molecules known as peptide bonds.

Proteins are essential for the numerous cellular processes that allow living bodies to function; without proteins, the biochemical molecules in our cells would simply not function.
There are several different kinds of proteins, and each one's specific function is genetically determined.

The Function of Collagen
Collagen is a specific kind of protein that is responsible for the maintenance of connective tissues, which includes tendons, ligaments and cartilage. It is also a main component in the cells of the bones, teeth, blood vessels and particularly the skin. In mammals (including humans), it is the most common protein, making up about a quarter of the protein content in our bodies.

This particular protein has a fibrous structure that is strong and elastic - rather like rubber bands. It is what keeps skin healthy, and plays a prominent role in the healing of wounds. Plastic surgeons use it for cosmetic and restorative surgery, particularly with burn patients.

As we age, the collagen in our bodies is gradually lost. This is what causes wrinkles and sagging. On the average, people may lose as much as 30% by the time they reach the age of 40.
This has more serious implications than simple cosmetic considerations; overall mobility is compromised, bones may be weakened and muscles may atrophy.

How Collagen Supplements Can Help
A Collagen supplement can help to replace that which is lost to the aging process; however the form in which a collagen supplement is taken is important. Because collagen is made up of relatively large, complex molecules, most people see the best results from taking collagen supplements orally, in the form of a pill or capsule. This allows the body to absorb collagen from the inside.

The Benefits
Those who take collagen supplements on a regular basis over an extended period can expect to enjoy an overall rejuvenating effect, as well as a reduction in wrinkles, improved mobility in stiff joints, and better maintenance of lean muscle tissue. In addition, many people experience the benefits of healthier, more youthful looking hair and nails.
Since collagen loss is an ongoing process, those who take collagen supplements will not see immediate results. It generally takes about two weeks in order to experience any real difference, and since the results are cumulative, the collagen supplement should be taken on an ongoing basis.

More Vitamins Better Health

Ultra Complex C 1000Liquid life supplements surround all the essential nutrients required by your body.
Liquid life control all the essential nutrients required by your body. This annex contains some , electrolytes and vitamins. Liquid life contains minerals derived from the TRC plant. To satisfy your taste it comes in two flavors i.e. Mango and Cherry Berry. This adjunct also contains fresh nutrients some are as follows.

Vitamin B one quota of Liquid life cherry berry contains 2 mg of vitamin B6, 1000 mcg of B12. Vitamin B is a family of more than a few further like B6 and B12 etc.Vitamin B12 also known as ‘cobalamin’ is manufactured by extant in the intestine. This vitamin is essential for uneasy classification, manufacturing of red lineage and expansion of anthropoid body specifically at earlier . It also helps in the creation of DNA during the cell border course. Its scarcity may cause panicky procedure and abnormal cells fabrication also known as .

Vitamin B6 also known as ‘pyridoxine’ in metabolism. It can also help condense and PMS symptoms. This can also shrink dietary fat level and is important of hair and skin. Vitamin B6 is in the main institute in milk, eggs, fish and meat.
Folic acid is also well-thought-out as a element of the B complex. Each plateful of Liquid life contains 500 mcg of folic acid. Folic acid is essential for the switch of B12 during the making of DNA, in future aiding in formation of new cells. It also protects the , originate in the , from genetic disorders. Folic acid also helps in keeping skin vigorous. This vitamin is commonly set up in green vegetables.

Vitamin COne ration of Liquid life cherry berry contains 800 mg of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is a sea fathomable and is essential in the formation of a special protein entitled collagen. Collagen plays an important role in the increase and development of , bones, plasma vessels and tendon. Vitamin C is also good for your teeth and important role incorporation of iron which is very essential for hominoid body.
Vitamin DOne portion of Liquid life cherry berry contains 400 IU of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat solvable and in intensification of concentrated . It also in the interest of and calcium from which are also very essential for hominid body. The shortcoming of this vitamin may cause ruined during youthful or wearying of in the later stages. Vitamin D is geographically designed when skin is revolutionary- bright. Other raw comprise morel and yeast.

Vitamin Kone allocation of Liquid life cherry berry contains 80 mcg of K. Vitamin E is produced in the intestines and is fat resolvable. The main sources of vitamin E take account of shrubbery and bacteria. Many can synthesize the . Vitamin E an important role in supervisory pedigree jelling, is also helps switch glucose to glycogen. It is also convoluted in the advance and darning of bones. Deficiency of this may cause inner hemorrhage and .

Saturday, January 26, 2008

The Usefullness Of Collagen

Ultra Complex C 1000Collagen cream and other collagen products can be quite useful in maintaining a younger-looking appearance as we get older; by age 40, most of us have lost 30% of our natural collagen. Such products can help us to maintain, replace and compensate for this loss.

The Nature of Collagen
Collagen is a natural form of protein that is quite abundant in all mammals, including humans. It is found throughout our bodies; it’s elastic, fibrous structure makes it vital to the proper functioning of connective tissues such as cartilage and ligaments, and it is even present in the bones and teeth.

Without it, our joints become stiff and painful, and our skin begins to sag and we develop wrinkles. Collagen products can help in delaying these visible signs of aging.

Collagen
This term is actually a bit of a misnomer; these molecules are relatively large and complex, and therefore are difficult to absorb through the skin by topical application. It is most effective to take collagen products orally. Capsules release this substance into the bloodstream, where it is able to travel to all parts of the body.
That said, most products that are thought of as “collagen cream” does not actually contain this substance in its original form; rather, it is a scientifically formulated lotion/emollient with ingredients that stimulate the body’s own natural production.