Skin, Hair & Nails

The Collagen Connection: Everything You Need to Know As we age, it's critical to ensure we have enough of this key protein. Collagen-along with hyaluronic acid-forms the "intracellular cement" that literally holds us together. There are several different types of collagen, but type II is by far the most abundant in our bodies, representing 30 percent of total body protein and up to 70 percent of the proteins in our connective tissues. Aging and Skin Health As we age, a lot happens in the collagen-rich support structure of the skin (the dermis). First and foremost, the activity of the fibroblasts-the cells responsible for making collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid-slows down. The dermis is also less able to protect itself from damage and is more prone to dehydration. All of these factors ultimately lead to a thinner dermis and structural changes that lead to skin looking old and weathered. Clinical studies with ChOSA showed impressive results in women age 40-65 with signs of premature aging. Joint and Bone Health As we grow older, natural collagen production also slows in our joints and may lead to osteoarthritis. The ligaments and tendons may also weaken. Bone is also rich in collagen. In fact, about 30-40 percent of bone is composed of collagen. It provides the structural matrix upon which mineralization of bone occurs. Collagen is to bone what 2x4s are to the frame of a house. Decreased collagen content of the bone is a key underlying factor in osteoporosis and low bone density. The amount of collagen determines the number of "bone mineral binding sites." If the collagen content is low, the bone becomes more brittle and fracture risk increases dramatically. Increasing Collagen Content Collagen supplements can provide the building blocks of collagen manufacture, but the key to increasing collagen levels is to increase the activity of collagen-producing cells. Collagen supplements have shown mixed results in promoting joint health. In one study, a collagen supplement (2 grams per day) was shown to produce considerable relief of symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. However, this collagen supplement also contains low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA). Studies with HA supplementation in osteoarthritis have also shown beneficial effects, so it's difficult to know if the results are due to the collagen or HA. Natural eggshell membrane (NEM) is another source of collagen and HA. Studies show that NEM helps relieve the pain, stiffness, and impaired mobility of osteoarthritis and other joint health problems. In one clinical study, NEM reduced pain by an average of 72 percent and improved flexibility by 44 percent after 30 days of use-without side effects. Rather than simply supply collagen, it is thought that NEM boosts the production of critical joint molecules such as type II collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), including chondroitin sulfate. GAGs are important components of cartilage, providing resistance to compression and contributing to the tensile strength of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. One of the most interesting and well-documented approaches to increasing the manufacture of collagen is the use of a highly bioavailable from of silica-choline stabilized orthosilicic acid or ChOSA (sold as BioSil). Initially, research focused on the ability of ChOSA to increase the levels of hydroxyproline, the key amino acid required for the production of collagen and elastin. Clinical studies with ChOSA showed impressive results in women age 40-65 with signs of sun damage and premature aging of the skin. Those receiving 10 mg of ChOSA daily experienced 30 percent improvements in shallow, fine lines and 55 percent increased skin elasticity. ChOSA can also promote bone health through increasing the manufacture of collagen. In a double-blind study of postmenopausal women with low bone density, ChOSA was able to increase the collagen content of the bone by 22 percent and increase bone density by 2 percent within the first year of use. The recommended dosage is 6-10 mg per day. Flavonoids Are Critical Flavonoids are plant pigments that are more potent than traditional antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc. This effect goes a long way in protecting collagen structures from damage. Especially beneficial to collagen structures are the blue or purple pigments-the anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidin oligomers (PCOs)-that are found in grapes and blueberries, as well as in pine bark and grape seed extracts. They affect collagen metabolism in many ways: They can crosslink collagen fibers, which reinforces connective tissue. They prevent free radical damage with their potent antioxidant action. They prevent the release of compounds that promote inflammation. They protect collagen structures from enzymes secreted by white blood cells during inflammation. To insure sufficient levels of these beneficial flavonoids, increase your intake of richly colored berries and other fruits. It's also a good idea to supplement your diet with a PCO extract, such as grape seed or pine bark, at a dosage of 50-150 mg daily for general support.

Shirk sugar to axe acne Eat: Omega-3-rich fish (salmon and sardines), colorful fruits and vegetables. Avoid: Insulin-spiking sweets and processed white-flour foods. “Elevated insulin affects the sebaceous oil glands in ways that can contribute to acne,” says Valori Treloar, MD, dermatologist and co-author of The Clear Skin Diet (Cumberland House, 2007). This is particularly so with women because the insulin spike may elevate the relatively low level of testosterone in women’s bodies, which has been shown to affect oil glands. Eat more gluten-free foods and improve psoriasis symptoms Eat: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats and fish. Avoid: Gluten. A Swedish dermatologist discovered that avoiding the grain protein for three months improved symptoms in some patients. Cut down sugar and cut out wrinkles Eat: Veggies, legumes and olive oil. Avoid: “To minimize wrinkles, limit your added sugar to 10 percent of your total daily calories,” says Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, author of The Beauty Diet (McGraw-Hill, 2008). Better still, eliminate sugar – period. Skip spicy foods to reduce rosacea Eat: Omega-3-rich seafood can calm rosacea-related inflammation. Avoid: If you suffer from rosacea, say adios to hot peppers and horseradish. Try fish oil for eczema relief Eat: Inflammation-reducing omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines and fish oil supplements) may help reduce the severity of eczema symptoms. Avoid: “Steer clear of processed foods to minimize trans fat intake, which can lead to inflammation,” Treloar says. Inflammation produces skin redness, and without inflammation eczema is normally not present.

When we formulate our products, we continuously strive to create holistic supplements with the whole body in mind. If you read our labels, we want you to understand every word and feel good about what you are putting in your body. Not only do we try to keep our ingredients as natural as possible, we also do our best to source them from the highest quality. So if you’ve looked at our Healthy Skin Boost in Acai Berry or Citrus, you may have wondered about the Bioactive Collagen Peptides. To honor our policy of protecting your health, we wanted to shed some light on this amazing product. First let’s take a look at what collagen is and why it’s beneficial to our bodies. Collagen is the binding substance that holds our bodies together. It is a type of protein that builds and strengthens tendons, connective tissues, bones and comprises about 80% of the structure of our skin. It makes up the dermis layer deep within and is what keeps us plump and wrinkle free. It is also a foundational component of our hair and fingernails. At the beginning of life, the body naturally creates sufficient levels to keep us young and fresh, but environmental and endogenous factors take their toll, and our natural production begins to slow. When we protect our skin, we think of the obvious culprits, sun, food toxins and pollutants.  We then combat them however we can by using a good face wash, a daily skin cream and sunscreen, eating organic, non-greasy foods and having as little exposure to chemical pollution as possible. Unfortunately, there is a major attack on the health and beauty of our skin that we have no control over, time! Aging is inevitable. Luckily, science has given us numerous ways to slow this process down. Collagen peptides is one of those break throughs. Natural collagen can be supplemented through food, but as we eat healthier we get less of it. When you cook chicken soup or beef stew and that thick layer of goo forms on the top, that is collagen. It seeps out of the bones and animal fat, and it is often the first thing we throw out. Many people now buy lean cuts, boneless, skinless or have chosen animal-free diets. If this is the case, then we do not have a strong food source and must rely on a credible supplement. That’s why Terra Origin chose to formulate a unique powder to support your skin, hair and nails. You have probably read collagen on ingredient labels and heard of it from others, but there is a distinction to be made between collagen and hydrolyzed collagen peptides. Primarily that standard collagen, in a supplement form, has not proven affective in clinical trials. The molecules are too big to be absorbed properly and tend to get discarded by the body. We chose VERISOL ® Bioactive Collagen Peptides because they have numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that have proven their success. These are much smaller amino acids that get rapidly absorbed by the body and begin to form chains, which are called peptides. Peptides are messengers in the body to elicit functions to occur which earns them the title bioactive. In the case of collagen peptides, they are able to reach the deepest layers of your skin, the dermis level, where they set off stimulated response. As we age and our bodies lose this protein, it develops weak and empty spots in the dermis where the epidermis, outer layer of the skin, slips down and wrinkles are formed. This deficiency also plays a role in the prominence of cellulite, the places on the body where pockets of subcutaneous fat have pushed upward making visible dimples. When we have constant regeneration of cells, they form a cushy bed underneath that keeps the surface smooth, but the cellular growth is what wanes with the years. That is what makes bioactive peptides superior. They reach those deep inner layers and die off. That’s right. Your supplement is not what’s actually boosting up those lines on your forehead. It is what tricks the body into thinking there has been substantial cellular decay, and it must start generating new collagen growth immediately. Thus the bioactive response kicks in. New collagen growth begins and your dermis layers begin to fill out, once more returning the youthfulness to your appearance. VERISOL ®, is formulated by Gelita and is the only bioactive collagen peptide that has undergone significant testing and shown continuous results with no harmful side effects. In one study with 100 women between 45 to 65 years of age, they analyzed their improvement and found a considerable increase in skin procollagen concentration, elasticity and smoothness after four weeks. They’ve done similar studies on a decrease in cellulite visibility and the health and strength of fingernails. Both showed impressive outcomes!* The final part of our selection came in making a safe and environmentally friendly choice. Most collagen on the market is made from shark cartilage, shell fish or eggs. Another reason we prefer Gelita is due to their sourcing and clean food choices. They have found responsible manufacturing of natural gelatin from which they extract collagen proteins and then convert them into peptides. Their product does not contain any E number additives and is registered as a highly digestible, non-allergenic food. This particular supplement is not considered vegan and is only accepted by vegetarians who have made the conscious selection. We recommend our Healthy Skin Boost Powders as part of a balanced nutrition and lifestyle plan. They are not meal replacement but can be added to morning shakes, smoothie bowls or simply drank with water. Use the recommended one scoop daily for four to six weeks to see initial results, and continue use for a minimum of six months to retain skin improvements. Most of all, we hope you enjoy including the delicious, fresh flavors in your daily routine.  *All studies can be read on their site.