PRO-COL™ Collagen | New Formulation | 90 Capsules

PRO-COL™ Collagen | New Formulation

What is PRO-COL™ Collagen?

PRO-COL™  Collagen is a dietary supplement combining pure, hydrolysed collagen with vitamin C and the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin, formulated to help rejuvenate and revitalize the skin, help smooth wrinkles, help repair lost elasticity and provide firmness to the skin. PRO-COL™ Collagen also supports connective tissues throughout the body including the gut lining, blood vessel walls and joint tissue, and helps to repair and strengthen joints that degenerate with age, losing strength, mobility and flexibility.

Why use PRO-COL™ Collagen?

As we age, particularly if we are exposed to too much UV irradiation from the sun, our skin becomes damaged and its structure begins to breakdown, with loss of important collagen. PRO-COL™ Collagen is a dietary supplement combining pure, hydrolysed collagen with vitamin C and the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin, formulated to help rejuvenate and revitalize the skin by smoothing wrinkles and restoring skin elasticity and firmness. PRO-COL™ Collagen supplements for the loss of naturally produced collagen to help reduce symptoms of the aging process and even slow down its progression. PRO-COL™  Collagen also supports connective tissues throughout the body including the gut lining, blood vessel walls and joint tissue, and helps to repair and strengthen joints that degenerate with age, losing strength, mobility and flexibility. When skin, bones, muscles and joints are working better you are better equipped to enjoy your usual activities to the maximum of your physical ability.

What are the Key Benefits of PRO-COL™ Collagen?

• Natural ingredients to support vibrant, hydrated and smooth skin
• Natural ingredients that promotes skin elasticity 
• Combination of natural ingredients to supplement for collagen loss as a result of photoaging and during the natural aging process
• Helps reduces wrinkles, dryness and loss of elasticity in aging and photoaged skin
• Contains natural antioxidants to protect skin from UV damage
• Supports healthy nails and hair
• Protects joints and supports wound healing
• Supports connective tissue throughout the body including the lining of the gut and blood vessels 

What is collagen?

Collagen is an insoluble fibrous protein and is the most abundant protein in the body, comprising around 30% of all protein. It is an important structural protein found in the connective tissue that forms the supportive architecture of our body. Collagen is found in the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is the non-cellular component of connective tissue, including the basement membrane separating connective tissue from the lining of a body cavity. ECM is a network comprised of sugars like glycosaminoglycans, fibrous proteins including collagen and elastin, and adhesive proteins like fibronectin and laminins. ECM is secreted by connective tissue cells to provide structural support for all tissues of the body as well as regulating the way different cells and tissues function. The constituents of ECM vary between tissues but the main fibrous protein in all connective tissue is collagen^1. As we age the body makes less collagen and this is reflected in many of the changes we associate with the aging process, including loss of skin elasticity with formation of fine lines and wrinkles, less flexibility, reduced muscle tone, joint pain and reduced of mobility^2.

How is collagen produced in the body?

Collagen is produced mainly by the fibroblast cells of connective tissue, as well as other cells like the endothelial cells of blood vessels, and its production is under the control of specific growth factors, including Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF beta). It is first produced as procollagen, comprising the amino acids proline and glycine, which are modified by enzyme reactions, first hydroxylation, which requires vitamin C as cofactor, then glycosylation. Procollagen is secreted from the cell and further processed and modified to become tropocollagen with a triple helix structure. The final stage of collagen synthesis occurs outside the cell when single molecules of tropocollagen form tiny fibres or fibrils that gives mature active collagen its great tensile strength. The various collagen subtypes differ in their tissue distribution and structure. Most collagen in the body consists of types I, II and III with the triple helical structure of collagen, whereas, type IV collagen is two-dimensional in structure and only found in the basement membrane^1.

What are the different types of collagen?

Fibrous tissues:

Type l is the most common type of collagen and is found in the dermis, or middle layer of the skin, where it provides the skin with support and elasticity. It is also found in tendons and ligaments that support our skeleton, while also providing flexibility needed to allow movement. Type 1 collagen is also found in bone, teeth and nails, where strength is important.

Cartilage:

Type ll collagen is found in cartilage that covers the surfaces of all our joints, protecting the bones from wear and tear. Loss of cartilage is seen in osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease due to wear and tear that causes pain, stiffness and loss of mobility of joints. Cartilage is also found in structural parts of the body like ears and nose.

Reticulate collagen:

Type lll collagen is known as reticulate collagen and although it is not as strong as type I collagen, it has the same triple helix structure and is often found alongside collagen type I, such as in arterial walls, skin and in the intestines. It is also produced in response to injury to be replaced by type I forming a scar over a wound.

Basement membrane:

Type lV collagen is only found in basement membrane, which separates a layer of cells from connective tissue.

Different cell types that are attached to basement membrane include:

• epithelium, such as found in skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract
• endothelium, lining all blood vessels
• mesothelium, lining body cavities like the pericardium of the heart, pleural cavity of the lungs and peritoneum of the abdomen. 

Type V collagen:

Type V collagen is important for the regulation and formation of collagen fibrils in type I and type III collagen. It contributes to the structure and function of bone matrix, the cornea of the eye and other tissues including muscle, liver, lungs, and placenta.

Why is collagen important?

Collagen is found throughout the body in its various forms and is important for structural support of our body and for normal function of all tissues.

For rejuvenating and revitalising skin:

The loss and damage of the fibrillar collagen types I and III is a feature of aging skin, which is enhanced by sun damage and leads to the loss of firmness and elasticity associated with young skin^3. Loss of collagen in the skin also leads to reduced moisture and nutrient retention, which contributes to thinning of the skin. Studies indicate that supplementation with collagen hydrolysate may improve elasticity, hydration, wrinkle formation, collagen density and other features of aging skin^{3, 4, 5.}

For repair and healing:

Collagen plays an important role in the wound healing process and in the final stages, migration of fibroblasts into the wound, is accompanied by the production of new collagen, which is type III collagen first as this is an easier and faster structure to manufacture by the cell. However, Type I collagen then replaces type III collagen. It is thought that supplementation with hydrolysed collagen may be helpful for the enhancement of wound healing^6. This may also apply to bone, tendon, and ligament healing^7.

In bone and joint disease:

Clinical evidence suggests that hydrolysed collagen is absorbed by the intestines and accumulates in cartilage, where it stimulates a significant increase in synthesis of extracellular matrix by chondrocytes (cartilage cells). This may help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis by promoting regeneration of cartilage and preventing progressive joint destruction seen in osteoarthritis; also reducing pain and stiffness in the joints8, 9. Hydrolysed collagen also has potential benefit for restoring bone structure to help prevent osteoporosis9 and in prevention of joint deterioration in a high risk group such as high performance athletes^10.

What is photoaging?

Continued exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes photoaging of the skin, which is premature aging, not related to the actual age in chronological terms. Photoaging affects all the layers of the skin and causes major structural changes. The epidermis contains melanocytes that produce the pigment melanin. UV causes increased melanin, which changes the colour of the skin, but also produces sun spots or age spots that are irregular in shape and accumulate in patches. UV exposure causes oxidative stress in the skin which triggers inflammatory responses intended to help repair the damage caused. However, the inflammatory cytokines produced create further problems by inducing the production of enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by keratinocytes in the epidermis (outer skin layer), also dermal fibroblast. These MMPs degrade collagen and elastin, the major proteins of the connective tissue of the dermis (inner skin layer), which disrupts the structure of the skin, causing wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity; also, water loss, as the ability to retain moisture is compromised by the damaged skin. Extreme exposure of the skin to UV can damage the DNA and lead to skin cancer^{11, 12, 13.}

What is an antioxidant?

An antioxidant is a substance that that protects the body from damage caused by free radicles, by preventing harmful oxidising reactions. Free radicles are generated during normal metabolic and physiological process but also by external factors like smoking, alcohol and ultraviolet irradiation from the sun, causing oxidative stress. Endogenous antioxidants include the enzymes glutathione peroxidase, that acts as a free radicle scavenger by reducing hydrogen peroxide to water. Also, superoxide dismutase that protects against free radicles like superoxide and those produced from nitric oxide. Plants are a rich source of natural antioxidants and are mainly polyphenols such as flavonoids, procyanidins (proanthocanidins), lignans and stilbenes; triterpenoid; vitamins such as vitamins C and E, and carotenoids like xanthophylls and carotenes^14.

What are the ingredients in PRO-COL™ Collagen?

Each capsule of PRO-COL™ Collagen contains the following ingredients:

• hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides 400mg
• Astaxanthin (from Haematococcus pluvialis) 400mcg
• Vitamin C 50mg

Hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides

Hydrolyzed collagen is natural collagen where the protein fibres are reduced to the constituent peptides, which are small chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. The amino acids that make up the collagen protein are predominantly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline (Gly-Pro-Hyp). Hydrolyzed collagen contains high concentrations of Gly-Pro-Hyp peptides. Animal studies and analysis of human blood following ingestion of hydrolysed collagen peptides have demonstrated that collagen hydrolysate peptides accumulate in the collagen rich tissues of the body which are the skin, articular cartilage of joints, and the stomach and intestines walls^{15, 16.} The effects of collagen hydrolysate peptides at a cellular level include enhancing growth of fibroblasts, which are the collagen producing cells of connective tissue, stimulating the production by fibroblasts of hyaluronic acid, which is a major constituent of extracellular matrix and an important component of cartilage and of the synovial fluid that protects joints^6. Clinical studies indicate that collagen hydrolysate may have health benefits including promoting wound healing, improving skin condition, and relieving symptoms of chronic joint diseases like osteoarthritis^8. In a clinical study with healthy volunteers, supplementation with collagen hydrolysate was found to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling in photoaged skin^17.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid that exists in algae, plants and bacteria and some marine animals like shrimps, lobster and crabs; also, fish such as salmon and sea bream and is the red pigment that gives them colour. The microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis (H pluvialis) accumulates astaxanthin during times of stress, such as such as high salinity, nitrogen deficiency, high temperature and intense light. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant and powerful free radicle scavenger and also has anti-inflammatory properties^18. Astaxanthin has several unique properties that makes it more effective as an antioxidant than most others. Being fat soluble astaxanthin can sit within the cell membrane connecting the inside and outside of the cell, which offers protection against free radicles outside the cell and free radicles generated inside the cell, as well as protecting the lipid bilayer from damage. In this unique position astaxanthin, unlike most other antioxidants, is effective against several types of free radicles including peroxyl, oxygen and nitric oxide. Astaxanthin extracted from H pluvialis is the main source for human consumption^{18, 19.} Clinical, animal and in vitro studies have demonstrated protective effects of astaxanthin on skin against UV damage, by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in skin cells and promoting repair and healing^{20, 21.} Cosmetic effects including improved skin condition, reduced age spots, elasticity and moisture content, were demonstrated following oral supplementation with astaxanthin^22. Treatment of human keratinocytes with astaxanthin reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines and production of matrix metalloproteinases. Oral supplementation with astaxanthin in healthy volunteers reduced the worsening of UV induced deterioration of skin condition in terms of wrinkle formation, skin elasticity and moisture loss, indicating that long-term supplementation may also prevent age-related skin deterioration^23. In vitro evidence indicates that astaxanthin minimises DNA damage by preventing oxidative damage and may contribute to DNA repair mechanisms^20.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the biosynthesis of collagen, and acts as a cofactor for the proline and lysine hydroxylase enzymes that convert the amino acids proline and lycine to hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, required to stabilise the collagen tertiary structure. Vitamin C also promotes collagen gene expression that initiates collagen biosynthesis^{24, 25.} Vitamin C is an antioxidant and contributes to free radicle scavenging and antioxidant photoprotection against photodamage, by reducing oxidative stress^25. Vitamin C concentrates in the skin, where there are much higher levels than other tissues. During the photoaging process and the natural aging process, levels of vitamin C in the skin become depleted, accompanied by a reduction in the antioxidant enzyme system^{25, 26.} Other properties associated with vitamin C include supporting wound healing, improving skin hydration, and reducing melanin production in the skin that may inhibit the formation of age spots^25. Outcomes of a clinical study indicated that vitamin C supplementation improved skin radiance, evaluated by clinical scoring using the colouring, luminosity, brightness, and transparency scale and the imperfections scale, as well as improving firmness and elasticity^27.

What are the Contraindication/Interactions of PRO-COL™  Collagen?

You should consult your doctor if you have any concerns about taking PRO-COL™ Collagen and always check the ingredients for known allergies and to ensure you do not have any allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients. Stop using if you do develop any irritation or allergy while taking PRO-COL™ Collagen.

Caution

Do not use

• If you are pregnant or breast feeding
• If you are taking warfarin or any other blood thinning medication, as vitamin C may interact with warfarin and affect your treatment 

What are the Directions for using PRO-COL™  Collagen?

Dosage:

Take 2-6 capsules daily.

For best results:

Take at night before bed time. Sleep is a time when the body carries out restorative processes and makes necessary repairs, including secreting hormones that control growth and metabolism and synthesising proteins like collagen.

Product Size

90 Capsules
Also available as refill packs (2 x 90 Capsules)

References

The following references provide scientific support for the use of this product:

1. Frantz C, Stewart KM, Valerie M. Weaver VM. The extracellular matrix at a glance. J Cell Sci 2010 123: 4195-4200. 
2. Varani J, Dame MK, Rittie L, et al. Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. Am J Pathol. 2006;168(6):1861–1868.
3. Genovese L, Corbo A, Sibilla S. An Insight into the Changes in Skin Texture and Properties following Dietary Intervention with a Nutricosmeceutical Containing a Blend of Collagen Bioactive Peptides and Antioxidants. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2017;30(3):146-158. 
4. Inoue N, Sugihara F, Wang X. Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study. J Sci Food Agric 2016 Sep;96(12):4077-81. 
5. Asserin J, Lati E, Shioya T, Prawitt J. The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. J Cosmet Dermatol 2015 Dec;14(4):291-301. 
6. Sato K. The presence of food-derived collagen peptides in human body-structure and biological activity. Food Funct 2017 Dec 13;8(12):4325-4330 
7. Liu SH, Yang RS, al-Shaikh R, Lane JM. Collagen in tendon, ligament, and bone healing. A current review. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1995 Sep;(318):265-78. 
8. Bello AE, Oesser S. Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders: a review of the literature. Curr Med Res Opin.2006 Nov;22(11):2221-32.
9. Moskowitz RW. Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2000 Oct;30(2):87-99. 
10. Clark KL, Sebastianelli W, Flechsenhar KR, Aukermann DF, Meza F, et al24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 May;24(5):1485-96. 
11. Fisher GJ, Datta SC, Talwar HS, et al. Molecular basis of sun-induced premature skin aging and retinoid antagonism. Nature 1996; 379: 335–339.
12. Fagot D, Asselineau D, Bernerd F. Direct role of human dermal fibroblasts and indirect participation of epidermal keratinocytes in MMP-1 production after UV-B irradiation. Arch Dermatol Res 2002; 293: 576–583.
13. Quan T, Qin Z, Xia W, Shao Y, Voorhees JJ, Fisher GJ. Matrix-degrading Metalloproteinases in Photoaging. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2009 Aug; 14(1): 20–24.
14. Kasote DM, Katyare SS, Hegde MV, Hanhong Bae H. Significance of Antioxidant Potential of Plants and its Relevance to Therapeutic Applications Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2015, Vol. 11
15. Kawaguchi, T, Nanbu PN, Kurokawa M. Distribution of prolylhydroxyproline and its metabolites after oral administration in rats. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2012, 35, 422−427. 
16. Yazaki M, Ito Y, Yamada M, Goulas S, Teramoto S, Nakaya MA, Ohno S, Yamaguchi K. Oral Ingestion of Collagen Hydrolysate Leads to the Transportation of Highly Concentrated Gly-Pro-Hyp and Its Hydrolyzed Form of Pro-Hyp into the Bloodstream and Skin. J Agric Food Chem. 2017 Mar 22;65(11):2315-2322. 
17. Kim D-U, Chung H-C, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee B-Y. Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients 2018, 10, 826. 
18. Ambati RR, Phang SM, Ravi S, Aswathanarayana RG. Astaxanthin: Sources, Extraction, Stability, Biological Activities and Its Commercial Applications—A Review. Marine Drugs 2014, 12, 128-152.
19. Yuan JP, Peng J, Yin K, Wang JH. Potential health-promoting effects of astaxanthin: a high-value carotenoid mostly from microalgae. Mol Nutr Food Res.2011 Jan;55(1):150-65. 
20. Davinelli S, Nielsen ME, Scapagnini G. Astaxanthin in Skin Health, Repair, and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients.2018 Apr 22;10(4).
21. Vollmer DL, West VA, Lephart ED. Enhancing Skin Health: By Oral Administration of Natural Compounds and Minerals with Implications to the Dermal Microbiome. Int J Mol Sci.2018 Oct 7;19(10). pii: E3059
22. Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Yamashita E. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on human subjects. Acta Biochim Pol.2012;59(1):43-7. Epub 2012 Mar 17.
23. Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Fujishita M, Takahashi Y, Adachi Y. Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration. J Clin Biochem Nutr.2017 Jul;61(1):33-39.
24. Kishimoto Y, Saito N, Kurita K, Shimokado K, Maruyama N, Ishigami A. Ascorbic acid enhances the expression of type 1 and type 4 collagen and SVCT2 in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2013;430:579–584. 
25. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients 2017, 9, 866. 
26. Rhie G, Shin MH, Seo JY, Choi W, WCho KH, et al. Aging- and Photoaging-Dependent Changes of Enzymic and Nonenzymic Antioxidants in the Epidermis and Dermis of Human Skin In Vivo. J Invest Dermatol.2001 Nov;117(5):1212-7.
27. Dumoulin M, Gaudout D, Lemaire B. Clinical effects of an oral supplement rich in antioxidants on skin radiance in women. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2016 Oct 18;9:315-324.