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Collagen

About one quarter of all the protein in your body is collagen. Collagen is a major structural protein, forming molecular cables that strengthen the tendons and vast, resiliant sheets that support the skin and internal organs. Bones and teeth are made by adding mineral crystals to collagen.

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the body. 60% of the body is made up of connective tissue and collagen represents 80% of all connective tissue. 75% of the dermis consists of collagen and accounts for 90% of dermal volume.

It is therefore one of the body's most vital components. Unfortunately, it is generally acknowledged that the body loses collagen at a rate of approximately 1.5% per annum from the age of 25-30 years onwards. A proper collagen balance in the body is thus highly desirable but is not so easy to achieve and to maintain.

Depletion of collagen in the skin leads to the formation of wrinkles and the appearance of ageing. Depletion of collagen in the connective tissue - tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage - results in the reduction of support for the joint structure of the body, contributing to such conditions as arthritis and musculo-skeletal injuries.

Collagen provides structure to our bodies, protecting and supporting the softer tissues and connecting them with the skeleton. But, in spite of its critical function in the body, collagen is a relatively simple protein.

Cables of Collagen

Collagen is composed of three chains, wound together in a tight triple helix. Like most proteins, when collagen is heated, it loses all of its structure. The triple helix unwinds and the chains seperate. Then, when this denatured mass of tangled chains cools down, it soaks up all of the surrounding water like a sponge, forming gelatin.

Injectable collagen is a liquid made from the connective tissues of cows or pigs that is injected into and under the skin for cosmetic purposes. Proto-Col is so pure that ultimately it could be used for that purpose. But it is so pure and stabilised that you can take it as a supplement.

Elimination of the genus Solanaceae (the Night Shade family which includes tomato, potato, egg plant, pepper and tobacco) is suggested as the alkaloids present in these foods inhibit normal collagen repair. Oral and injectable forms of proteoglycals, GAGs and bovine collagen have proven a significant improvement over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Vitamin C, glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulphate, and collagen are naturally occuring substances found in joint structures and have been proven, in numerous studies, to eliminate cartilage regeneration.

The body has the capacity to regenerate itself. When people take Proto-Col collagen capsules they travel to the stomach and are broken down into the finest nutritiive form. That process is called the catabolism process. when the amino acids reach the cells then it gives the cells the proper tool and materials to build another protein using the DNA as the information cenre. This is called the anabolic process and this is where a product such as Proto-Col becomes so important because of the qualities of the amino acids.

We highly suggest taking this type of nutrient at night before going to bed. This is in the alpha cycle (first 90 minutes of sleep) when your body mainly regenerates.

Proto-Col 100% pure collagen capsules are now available in the UK. They are both FDA and EU Regulations compliant and meet the specifications of the 1990 Food Safety Act