What’s the largest organ in our body? Liver? Heart? Brain? No – Skin. And no, it isn’t just something to cover up our muscles and stop our guts trailing on the floor. It’s an active organ working hard to protect from infections, dehydration, and UV radiation; it produces sweat to control our body temperature and it makes vitamin D. So, whilst beauty isn’t just skin deep, skin isn’t just a pretty face either. Nevertheless, it’s rather nice to have a pretty face too.
But what decides whether our skin’s like a baby’s bottom, or an old shoe? Major factors include ‘good genes’ (some people are just lucky), hormone levels, age, UV light damage, sleep quality, alcohol and smoking.
Can we shift the odds in our favour? Well, 75% of our skin (as dry weight) is collagen, so maybe that’s a good place to start.
Our bodies make collagen, using proteins, minerals and vitamin C from our diets. It provides structure and strength, and as, with age, it decreases, our skins can become saggy and lose that ‘plump peach’ look. Sadly this process can start from mid-20s and may worsen after menopause.
Can we encourage collagen production back up again? I’ve been looking at the data, and I’m also road-testing LQ Skin Hair Nails Collagen Powder daily for a month – the things I do for Frost readers, sigh.
As with many food supplements, there are relatively few quality studies. Nevertheless, some research suggests that collagen supplements, particularly at higher doses may improve facial moisture, amount of skin collagen, skin elasticity and/or wrinkle appearance. Whether a good diet, containing the necessary components of collagen would do the same is a subject of current debate. However higher collagen doses seem to produce slightly better results than low dose, so maybe our bodies do respond to this extra supply.
The LQ Collagen Beauty Range all contain high doses of hydrolysed marine collagen, plus hyaluronic acid for skin hydration, and are made from high quality, traceable ingredients.
LQ Skin Hair Nails Collagen Powder, which I’ve been taking for nearly two weeks so far, contains 10g collagen, plus biotin and selenium, and vitamin C, which helps our body make collagen.
Individual vials – LQ Skin Hair Nails and LQ Skin Hair and Nails Max – are also handy to pop in your handbag.
So how’s my trial going? Great. The collagen powder comes with a convenient measuring scoop and it’s fairly easy to dissolve for a pleasant passion fruit-flavoured shake.
Do I look like Jennifer Aniston yet (apparently she swears by collagen supplements)? Well it can take up to 4 weeks to see changes, but I did have a compliment just this week so … maybe?
LQ Skin Hair Nails Collagen Powder costs £34.99 for 300g and is available from lqcollagen.com Be aware that these products contain fish and shellfish if you’re allergic.
Finally, don’t forget that it’s equally important to protect your skin collagen, using sunscreen, and to eat foods high in antioxidants, which prevent collagen breakdown.
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.