Collagen: Supports skin, joint and connective tissue health • Reduces the signs of ageing by maintaining the skin’s elasticity • Improves hair and nail follicles • Improves mobility in conditions such as arthritis and joint pain • Preserves, builds and replenishes lean muscle mass What is Collagen? Collagen is the fibrous structural protein that makes up the white fibers (collagenous fibers) of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage, and all other connective tissues. It is also found dispersed in gels of the body to provide stiffening, such as in the vitreous humour of the eye. In other words, collagen is the natural protein that composes most of the body’s structural support and is the primary substance of connective tissue. It is the fibrous connective tissue that holds our body together. Collagen is present in all multi-cellular organisms. Collagen gives the different organs and tissues their strength and elastic properties. Twenty-five percent of the dry protein weight of the human body is collagen. Seventy-five percent of our skin is made of it, and in total – some thirty percent of our entire body is collagen. Collagen is part of the natural make-up of tendons, ligaments, joints, muscles, hair, skin, and vital organs. Why take Collagen? • Arthritis: In order for osteo-arthritis to be treated effectively, the cartilage and synovial fluid in the joint must be protected against further destruction. Collagen protects and restores joint cartilage by supporting or enhancing the synthesis of synovial fluid, which is required to lubricate the joint. It also inhibits free radical enzymes and auto immune processes that degrade joint cartilage and removing blockages in blood vessels leading to the joint. Collagen proteins helps the body to rejuvenate naturally in order to regenerate cartilage and healthy joint function. ageing and trauma disrupt the body's ability to use its own chondroprotective agents, which has led to an epidemic of arthritis throughout the world. • Anti-Ageing: The body’s production of collagen slows dramatically with ageing. This slowing process is stealth-like and rather insidious. It starts slowing in our mid-twenties, picks up speed in our thirties and forties, and the losses are even more pronounced through our fifties and sixties. Lack of collagen, or the body’s improper use of collagen, is what causes the ageing process. Besides its many structural properties, collagen serves as the major catalyst for growth and repair of nearly all the body’s tissues. Many different ageing diseases are related to the body’s supply of this vital protein and to disorders in the collagen itself. What scientific studies give evidence to support Collagen's action?  Clinical trials have shown that Collagen reduces inflammation. In one double-blind placebo controlled study, 60 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis took this collagen for three months and experienced a 30% reduction in joint swelling and tenderness. The results of a survey by the Medical Clinic of the University of Wurzburg, Germany in 1995 shows that the long term consumption of Collagen increases the stability and resilience of protein structures. This in turn leads to an improvement in the quality of brittle fingernails and improvement in the quality of hair. Tests carried out by Harvard Medical School have shown that 100 per cent pure collagen feeds and supports connective tissue. The results of research by physiologists Dr Oesser and Professor Seifert of Kiel University, published just two months ago, showed for the first time that collagen plays an important part in the nutrition of cartilage tissue. The work of Professor R Moskowitz, director of the Arthritis Institute of the University of Cleveland and president of the International Osteoarthritis Research Society offers further evidence of the effectiveness of collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Moskowitz’ research has shown that collagen resulted in a significant reduction of pain and an improvement in joint mobility for people suffering from osteoarthritis.