Binder1

your secret
anti-ageing
weapon
Collagen is the beauty supplement we
should all be taking according to the experts,
says Beauty Editor Michelle Nightingale
The latest beauty buzz could be the key to youthful,
glowing skin and could even benefit your health,
relieving joint pain and preventing bone loss, according
to studies. “Collagen is the most abundant protein in
our bodies,” explains Kathryn Danzey (left), co-founder
of collagen brand Rejuvenated. “It’s the key building
block for everything; from the connective tissue in our vital organs
to giving structure to our hair, skin, nails, bones, muscles, ligaments
and tendons.” Read on for our guide to this ultimate anti-ager.
Skin deep
“Collagen makes up 75 per
cent of our skin and 30 per
cent of our total body protein,
so it’s easy to see why collagen
plays such an important part
in the health of our skin,”
explains Kathryn. “The name
collagen comes from the
Greek word ‘kolla’ which
means glue, because collagen
holds our body together.”
Ageing plays a part in how
much collagen our body
produces. “Collagen levels
decline by as much as 1.5 per
cent a year from our mid-20s,”
says Kathryn.
“We start to lose more
than we make and lines start
to appear. “Oestrogen is also
vital for healthy collagen
levels, but as our oestrogen
levels decline when we hit
the menopause collagen loss
becomes more dramatic,
further affecting the condition
of the skin.”
Collagen as a molecule
You are what you eat
We all know that a healthy balanced diet is the
secret of eternal youth. “As a protein you’ll find
collagen in meat and fish, but the molecule is too
large to be broken down and absorbed around
the body,” explains Kathryn. “However, following
a healthy diet is still really important as
you need to provide your body with the
required protein, vitamins and minerals
to support collagen formation.
Likewise, avoid the usual sugary
and salty foods, which
weaken and break
down collagen.”
32
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