Collagen For Menopause: A Guide to Choosing the Right Supplement
Menopause is a transformative phase in a woman's life, bringing along changes that can affect various aspects of her health, including the skin, bones, and joints. Collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and vitality of these tissues.
Why menopausal women specifically benefit from collagen supplementation
Maintaining Skin Elasticity: During menopause, declining estrogen levels lead to a loss of collagen, resulting in sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Collagen supplementation helps support skin elasticity, promotes a smoother complexion, and reduces the visible signs of aging.
Strengthening Bones: Estrogen also plays a role in maintaining bone density, and decreased levels during menopause can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Collagen, particularly type I collagen, contributes to the structure and strength of bones, making it vital for menopausal women to support bone health.
Joint Support: As women age, the natural wear and tear on joints can lead to discomfort and reduced mobility. Collagen acts as a lubricant and cushion for joints, promoting joint flexibility, reducing stiffness, and alleviating joint pain often experienced during menopause.
Gut Health: Menopause can affect digestive health, leading to issues such as bloating, indigestion, and gut inflammation. Collagen supplementation supports a healthy gut lining, aids in gut repair, and contributes to a balanced gut microbiome.
What to look for when choosing a collagen supplement
Choosing the Right Collagen Supplement:
When selecting a collagen supplement, there are several key factors to consider: a. Quality Assurance: Choose Clinically-proven and tested supplements which are backed up by data and proven results as they are reliable and worth your investment. b. Ingredients: Only settle for highest pharmaceutical quality and therapeutic dosage ingredient standards. Complementary ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, enhances the overall benefits. c. Bioavailability: Opt for supplements with high bioavailability, ensuring efficient absorption and utilization by the body. d. Additional Ingredients: Some collagen supplements include complementary ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, enhancing their overall benefits.
Given the efficacy of Totally Derma® nutraceutical collagen drink supplement in improving skin texture and supplying collagen to the body, we were curious to see if ingesting Totally Derma® would improve the GSM symptoms along with skin, hair, nail, and joints health in menopausal women.
In the trial, eight women were instructed to take Totally Derma®, a hydrolysed bovine collagen supplement, at night for 12 weeks. The formulation of Totally Derma® Nutraceutical Drink Supplement contains high amounts of collagen amino acid peptides, hyaluronic acid, and other synergistic co-factors which are distributed via the blood vessels into the deep layer of the skin, the dermis, where they stimulate fibroblast cells to produce more collagen and hyaluronic acid.
This unique formulation contains a superior form of hydrolysed collagen, Arthred®, sourced via Gelita, AG, the collagen peptide experts. Totally Derma® has been specially formulated to reduce inflammation in the body to improve skin, hair, nail, joints, gut, bones, and menopausal health.
Ingredients of Totally Derma
Efficacy, Innovation, Research and Quality
Collagen
Collagen is an essential component in skin, providing integrity, firmness and elasticity.
Arthred® Hydrolysed
Arthred® is a patented, low molecular weight, pharmaceutical grade hydrolyzed collagen product.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid hydrates the skin and increases its volume and density whilst supporting collagen and elastin within the skin. Hyaluronic acid is also involved in the rejuvenation of joint tissue and immune function and supports the biochemical processes involved in wound healing.
Synovoderma®
Synovoderma® is a patented HA (hyaluronic acid) formula and has been prepared using a proprietary enzymatic process to reduce the molecular weight to between 50, 000 – 200, 000 Daltons, thereby enhancing absorption through the digestive tract. HA is extracted from cockscomb.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape Seed Extract is a very powerful antioxidant. It bonds to collagen and negates free radicals, boosts collagen development and helps in the renewal of skin cells. Grape Seed extract helps skin stay firm, supple and moisturized. Procyanidins found in Grape Seed Extract are also shown to protect and repair the skin from sun damage.
L-Ascorbic Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential component in the body’s production of collagen as it stimulates fibroblasts and converts proline to hydroxyproline. Vitamin C is scientifically shown to help maintain firm and youthful skin by combating collagen degradation and oxidative stress (it helps to repair aging and photo-damaged skin).
Green Tea Extract
Green Tea Extract is naturally rich in antioxidants and is associated with multiple skin benefits. It protects skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and also stimulates the skins microcirculation. It is a good anti-inflammatory for skin and most importantly inhibits collagenase (a natural enzyme that breaks down collagen). Numerous clinical studies show Green Tea Extract increases skin firmness, water content and elasticity.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the MOST powerful antioxidants. Studies show it can slow down the aging process of the body in general. Within the skin it reverses skin cell damage and is shown to improve fine lines and wrinkles. Alpha Lipoic Acid regenerates Vit C, Vit E and inhibits cross-linking which contributes to the formation of wrinkles.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral for maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Zinc is well known for its properties in repairing UV damage in the skin and slowing down collagen degradation. Zinc is crucial for superoxide dismutase syntheses (protects against oxidative stress). Studies show it boosts Collagen synthesis and therefore helps to delay the formation of wrinkles.
Manganese
Manganese is also another essential mineral needed to build collagen and repair oxidative stress within the skin and body. Manganese strengthens immature collagen and influences its fibril size. The antioxidant effects of manganese have been shown to help prevent wrinkle formation and sagging skin.
Copper
Copper is a metallic element that is a vital component in skin health. Copper deficiency is responsible for premature ageing and loose skin. Copper benefits skin health by repairing and maintaining connective tissue. Most enzymes that are responsible for collagen synthesis absolutely depend on copper as a co-factor; no other mineral can replace its role in stimulating collagen production.
An evidence-based, anti-ageing nutraceutical collagen supplement for complete collagen production, maintenance and repair from within, for an integrated, long-term health approach to skin and body rejuvenation.
Some comments from the women who participated in the menopausal trial:
“I feel my body articulation has overall improved the longer I take it. My joints are more supple. I also feel much better hydration in my skin and vagina. It definitely takes time, patience is required but I feel my skin is smoother and firmer. Stronger nails were one of the first things I noticed as well as stronger hair. This collagen-boosting supplement is something I’ll be taking for life.”
“Skin is consistently hydrated and texture more smooth, the sporadic itchiness on my arms and legs I had been getting has stopped, feeling more fluid movement in my body.”
“My hair also feels strong and is growing fast and feels thick and soft. I am not losing it like I was before.”
“My skin is wonderful on my face with my hormonal acne now totally gone with only a little dark scaring (not sure if this will improve over time) The skin on my body is less dry with only a little itching on my arms.”