Articles
Collagen and leaky gut
Leaky gut is a condition that occurs when the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream. This can cause a variety of health problems, including inflammation, digestive issues, and autoimmune disorders. One way to help repair the damage caused by leaky gut is to incorporate collagen into your diet. Collagen is a protein that is found in the connective tissues of animals, including the skin, bones, and tendons. It is also the main component of cartilage, which is the cushioning tissue between joints. Our non-GMO, grass-fed Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is the best form of collagen you can get. Collagen has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including improving skin health, reducing joint pain, and promoting healthy digestion. It is also a key component in the gut lining, and can help to strengthen and repair damaged tissue. There are several ways to incorporate collagen into your diet. One option is to consume bone broth, which is made by simmering bones and connective tissue in water for several hours. This process releases collagen and other nutrients into the broth, making it a rich source of gut-healing nutrients. Another option is to take a collagen supplement. These supplements come in various forms, including powders, capsules, and liquids. They are typically made from animal sources, such as beef or fish, and are designed to be easily absorbed by the body. When selecting a collagen supplement, it is important to choose a high-quality product that is free from additives and fillers. Look for supplements that are sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals, as these are more likely to be free from harmful contaminants. In addition to supplementing with collagen, there are other steps you can take to support gut health. These include eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fiber and nutrients, avoiding processed and sugary foods, and managing stress levels. You may also want to consider taking a probiotic supplement, which can help to restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to the body, and can help to reduce inflammation and support immune function. It is important to note that while collagen can be a helpful tool in healing leaky gut, it is not a cure-all. If you suspect that you may have leaky gut or other digestive issues, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. So while a leaky gut can cause a variety of health problems, remember that it can be treated through diet and lifestyle changes. Our non-GMO, grass-fed Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is a powerful tool in repairing the damage caused by leaky gut. The best part is that it’s virtually odourless and tasteless, so you can easily add it to your daily routine. By incorporating collagen and other gut-healing nutrients into your diet, you can support overall gut health and improve your overall well-being.
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The truth about collagen and heat
We’ve been reading so many FALSE claims that collagen should not be added to hot drinks as it damages the collagen, rendering it ineffective. This is absolute nonsense, and we’re going to explain why in this article. Native collagen, also called raw collagen, is extracted through a softening process which allows the collagen to separate from connective tissue. This is then extracted safely from raw materials (animal skin, bone and / or cartilage). This ‘raw’ collagen is actually quite a big molecule, and is formed by three chains that form a triple helix structure. Because of its spatial structure and high molecular weights, native collagen is naturally insoluble in water. Collagen peptides however, are made from native / raw collagen that is then hydrolysed either through a chemical or enzymatic process. This means that the collagen is not ‘cooked’ in the same way as the gelatine is. Our Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is just that – nothing but pure hydrolysed collagen peptides, ready to be absorbed by our bodies. That leads us to how we take it. Once collagen is completely hydrolysed, it’s easy to take because it dissolves in liquids and is virtually tasteless and odourless. A recent study has shown that hydrolysed collagen is only further affected by temperatures over 300ºC, which is way hotter than your coffee could ever be. What this really means is that there is nothing to be concerned about when it comes to adding collagen to hot drinks or even stews. While we’re talking about coffee, we’ve also seen some articles stating that coffee prevents the absorption of collagen. This is also FALSE. Unfortunately people are misreading the study that shows how caffeine inhibits the body’s natural production of collagen, so it’s actually vitally important to supplement with collagen if you’re a coffee drinker. This is why it’s very important that you get your information from trusted sources. So next time someone tells you that you shouldn’t be adding collagen to your coffee, or try to convince you of the danger of mixing collagen and heat, you can show them the real science! Sources: Donejko M, Przylipiak A, Rysiak E, Głuszuk K, Surażyński A. Influence of caffeine and hyaluronic acid on collagen biosynthesis in human skin fibroblasts. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2014 Oct 15;8:1923-8. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S69791. PMID: 25342885; PMCID: PMC4206198. Bozec L, Odlyha M. Thermal denaturation studies of collagen by microthermal analysis and atomic force microscopy. Biophys J. 2011 Jul 6;101(1):228-36. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2011.04.033. PMID: 21723833; PMCID: PMC3127184.
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How to use our Grace skincare range
Morning Routine Step One: Cleanser Our Daily Cleanser contains glycerine, niacinamide and squalene. Each of these ingredients has specially been included thanks to their amazing effects on the skin. Together they complement each other to produce a nourishing, age defying cleanser that leaves your skin makeup-free, and hydrated. It is a gentle gel cleanser that foams up superbly, removing makeup and impurities effortlessly. It is suitable for all skin types and you can say goodbye to tight, dried out skin along with poorly removed makeup panda eyes, and hello to a radiant, clean complexion. How to use: Apply a small, pea sized dollop onto your fingertips, gently lather onto a wet face and rinse off thoroughly. Suitable for morning and evening use Learn more about our Cleanser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-daily-cleanser-125ml/ Step Two: Collagen Serum Our Collagen Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and is an ultra hydrating, specially formulated serum to help your skin lock in moisture while reducing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. This serum provides instant skin radiance and rejuvenation as well as long term restorative effects. Collagen particles cannot penetrate the skin as the molecules are too large, however they are able to create an incredibly moisture-rich layer that the hyaluronic acid molecules are able to absorb moisture from to transport into the deeper layers of the dermis. This dual action results in less wrinkles and fine lines – on the skin’s surface, the outermost layer is noticeably plumper and more hydrated, while the lower layers of the skin benefit long term with increased moisture stores. If this weren’t enough, we have also incorporated rosehip oil due to its naturally high Vitamin C content, meaning it further stimulates collagen production within the skin while providing anti-ageing properties, and essential fatty acids known to support the skin and its skin barrier. How to use it: While the skin is still damp, apply 1 pump onto fingertips and gently smooth onto face. Learn more about our Collagen Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-serum-30ml/ Step Three: Vitamin C Serum Vitamin C is a phenomenal active ingredient known in the skincare industry for its antioxidant properties. It is able to stimulate skin cell renewal as well as promote collagen production within the skin. When applied topically, Vitamin C accelerates the skin turn over and promotes more plump, hydrated skin cell growth. Although it is such a powerhouse compound, it is highly unstable, meaning it is quick to oxidise. For this reason we created a Vitamin C Serum that contains Vitamin E and IntenCfy (ergothioneine & mannitol). Together these actives encourage stability while delivering a high potency, antioxidant formulation that the skin loves! It also provides amazing phyto-protection. This means that the sun’s UVA and UVB radiation will not have such detrimental effects long term, as the ingredients are able to protect the cells from this damage. If this weren’t enough, we incorporated turmeric to provide a soothing, anti-inflammatory quality to this serum, while further strengthening its antioxidant potency. How to use: Apply 1 pump onto fingertips, gently smooth onto face before applying moisturizer Learn more about our Vitamin C Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-vitamin-c-serum-30ml/ Step Four: Collagen Moisturiser Our Collagen Moisturiser is ultra hydrating, and specifically formulated to nourish the outermost layer of the skin while improving long term skin health and appearance due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid in the formulation. When applied topically, collagen is able to create a moisture rich film on the surface of the skin’s epidermis. This provides instant hydration to the outermost layer of the skin and results in a visibly plumper look and more hydrated feel. The hyaluronic acid is then able to transport the retained water on the skin to the deeper skin layers, replenishing the hyaluronic acid stores while providing more moisture on a deeper level. Together these actives create an ultra nourishing formulation, shown to have both short and long term benefits to the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Further to this, we included the aromatherapy properties of neroli. This inclusion provides the moisturiser with a natural, subtle aroma while soothing the skin due to its natural anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. How to use: Apply a small amount to face and neck area, both morning and night after serums Learn more about our Collagen Moisturiser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-moisturiser-50ml/ Evening Routine Step One: Cleanser Our Daily Cleanser contains glycerine, niacinamide and squalene. Each of these ingredients has specially been included thanks to their amazing effects on the skin. Together they complement each other to produce a nourishing, age defying cleanser that leaves your skin makeup-free, and hydrated. It is a gentle gel cleanser that foams up superbly, removing makeup and impurities effortlessly. It is suitable for all skin types and you can say goodbye to tight, dried out skin along with poorly removed makeup panda eyes, and hello to a radiant, clean complexion. How to use: Apply a small, pea sized dollop onto your fingertips, gently lather onto a wet face and rinse off thoroughly. Suitable for morning and evening use. Learn more about our Cleanser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-daily-cleanser-125ml/ Step Two: Collagen Serum Our Collagen Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and is an ultra hydrating, specially formulated serum to help your skin lock in moisture while reducing the skins of fine lines and wrinkles. This serum provides instant skin radiance and rejuvenation as well as long term restorative effects. Collagen particles cannot penetrate the skin as the molecules are too large, however they are able to create an incredibly moisture-rich layer that the hyaluronic acid molecules are able to absorb moisture from to transport into the deeper layers of the dermis. This dual action results in less wrinkles and fine lines – on the skin’s surface, the outermost layer is noticeably plumper and more hydrated, while the lower layers of the skin benefit long term with increased moisture stores. If this weren’t enough, we have also incorporated rosehip oil due to its naturally high Vitamin C content, meaning it further stimulates collagen production within the skin while providing anti-ageing properties, and essential fatty acids known to support the skin and its skin barrier. How to use it: While the skin is still damp, apply 1 pump onto fingertips and gently smooth onto face. Learn more about our Collagen Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-serum-30ml/ Step Three: Retinol Serum Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that is known in the beauty industry as the ‘holy grail’ of skincare. The reason for this being that it is able to stimulate skin cell turnover while reducing collagen breakdown and prompting collagen production. As we age our collagen production naturally decreases, and the constant sun exposure and day-to-day wear and tear accelerates this breakdown. Retinol is like a skin cell-communicator that encourages growth, revealing new skin cells that are rich in collagen resulting in a smoother, firmer and tighter skin appearance. How to use: At night, apply 1 pump onto fingertips, and gently smooth onto face If new to retinol, limit use to two times per week. Thereafter increase use to every second night for two weeks, building up to nightly application. Always use retinol after water serums but before heavier treatments Important to note: Do not use in conjunction with other retinoid treatments. Retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Always ensure that you make use of sun protection while incorporating retinoids into your skincare regime. Acne prone skin may experience an increase in acne during the first few weeks of application. This is known as ‘purging’ and should clear with time. When pregnant or breastfeeding, it is recommended to avoid any skincare products that contain retinoids. When it comes to retinol, it is important to remember two things. Firstly, patience is key. Build up your skin tolerance slowly as it can take 3 – 6 months of consistent use before improvements are apparent. Secondly, Vitamin A (regardless of the derivative form and application) increases skin sensitivity and in particular sun sensitivity. Always use sunscreen when incorporating this product into your regime. Learn more about our Retinol Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-retinol-05-serum-30ml/ Step Four: Collagen Moisturiser Our Collagen Moisturiser is ultra hydrating, and specifically formulated to nourish the outermost layer of the skin while improving long term skin health and appearance due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid in the formulation. When applied topically, collagen is able to create a moisture rich film on the surface of the skin’s epidermis. This provides instant hydration to the outermost layer of the skin and results in a visibly plumper look and more hydrated feel. The hyaluronic acid is then able to transport the retained water on the skin to the deeper skin layers, replenishing the hyaluronic acid stores while providing more moisture on a deeper level. Together these actives create an ultra nourishing formulation, shown to have both short and long term benefits to the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Further to this, we included the aromatherapy properties of neroli. This inclusion provides the moisturiser with a natural, subtle aroma while soothing the skin due to its natural anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. How to use: Apply a small amount to face and neck area, both morning and night after serums Learn more about our Collagen Moisturiser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-moisturiser-50ml/
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Tell me about marine collagen
Many people have been asking for an alternative to our chicken and bovine collagens. We’re excited to announce that we have managed to source a premium Marine Collagen that is wild caught, GMO-free with no nasties. It is low calcium, low sodium, hormone, antibiotic and preservative free. This great type 1 collagen is also relatively neutral in taste and smell! Our Hydrolysed Marine Collagen consists of type 1 collagen which is ideal for building and maintaining skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, hair and nails. Here are some commonly asked questions: How does it taste? We have managed to source a premium Marine Collagen that is relatively neutral in taste and smell! What about the Calcium content? Our Hydrolysed Marine Collagen is low in calcium, with only 7mg per 100g. What about the mercury content? Our marine collagen has been through both the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe (GME) and the Gelatin Manufacturers Institute of America (GMIA) testing, and the results fall below the required specification of a mercury content less than 0.10ppm (parts per million). What is the sodium content? We have sourced a low sodium marine collagen with 310mg total sodium per 100g. This sodium content is due to the natural nature of hydrolysed collagen, and is not from any additional sodium being added to the product. What is your collagen derived from? There is a lot of research about marine collagen being extracted from jellyfish, sharks, sea cucumber and other marine animals, which can make one skeptical about the origins of their collagen. We are proud to say that our marine collagen is sourced from 100% wild caught, marine whitefish. What about hormones and antibiotics? Our Marine Collagen is wild caught, GMO-free with no nasties. It is also hormone, antibiotic and preservative free, and research suggests that this form of collagen is a great option due to its low ability to harbor transmissible disease. Collagen type? Our marine collagen is a great source of type 1 collagen. Type 1 collagen is ideal for building and maintaining the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, hair and nails. What about marine collagen’s absorption? Our marine collagen has gone through an extraction process known as hydrolysation. What this means is that the collagen is extracted and denatured to form a gelatin. Thereafter, it undergoes what is called ‘enzymatic hydrolysis’, which produces a pure form of collagen hydrolysates. These hydrolysates comprise of peptides. Collagen peptides are the most easily absorbed and readily utilised forms of collagen to the human body.
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Speed up your healing – dump gluten
Lack of essential and bioavailable proteins are a major contributing factor to persistent illness especially in those with gluten sensitivity. Protein is the main ingredient your body uses to build immune antibodies as well as heal inflamed structural tissues and muscles. Protein hence helps speed up your healing. These functions are vital for the following reasons: Antibody production, essential to combat infection, chemical toxins and allergies. Research shows that antibody deficiency is a common phenomenon in those with gluten sensitivity. Lack of these vital proteins puts you at risk for multiple chronic health issues. Muscles are required for movement of the frame. As part of this process, muscle serves as a pumping system for your lymphatic vessels. These vessels are crucial because they help the body transport immune cells and antibodies. They also help remove damaging toxins. Research also shows that a large majority of those with gluten sensitivity have poor muscle to fat ratios. Gluten Destroys Muscle & Causes Protein Wasting One of the most common side effects of gluten is inflammation in the muscles and joints, as gluten proteins create an inflammatory reaction in these tissues that over time leads to many negative outcomes such as: Muscle pain Muscle atrophy (loss) Joint pain and arthritis Weight gain (increased visceral fat – especially belly fat) Weight loss (due to muscle atrophy) – the worst kind of weight loss Restricted mobility Increased risk for injury in those trying to exercise Gluten consumption leads to body protein disruption in several ways and prevents speeding up your healing: Inflammation – Gluten can cause the immune system to literally attack the muscle and joints leading to chronic pain and inflammation. A prolonged immune system attack contributes to chronic degradation of these tissues and subsequently atrophy of the muscle and arthritis in the joint. Hormone Release – To deal with this chronic damage, the body produces cortisol as an anti-inflammatory hormone. Increased cortisol leads to increased visceral fat (belly fat). Damage to the Stomach and GI Tract – Gluten can damage the specialized cells in your stomach and small intestines that secrete vital acid and digestive enzymes. Over time this damage makes it almost impossible to properly digest and break down dietary proteins from meats and vegetables. Many with gluten sensitivity have lost their ability to digest properly and develop protein and amino acid deficits. Gluten-Induced Gut Damage Can Make Meat Digestion a Challenge Many who embark on a gluten free diet still have inflamed and damaged gastrointestinal tracts. Some suffer with low acid production making it hard to digest dietary proteins. This is a big part of the “Catch 22″ in healing. To heal the gut, you need protein, but to digest the protein, you need a healthy and functional gut. The Critical Role of Protein and how it speeds up your healing Protein balance plays a major role body function. It is essential for proper maintenance of the immune system, the detoxification systems in the liver, antibody formation, muscle maintenance, tissue repair, digestive enzyme production, neurotransmitter (brain chemicals), and hormone production. Protein is responsible for building cellular receptors that help recognize hormones, regulate blood sugar, control our circadian rhythm, and control our metabolism. Too Many Carbs Excessive carbohydrate intake causes damage to important proteins in our bloodstream. This damage, often referred to as AGE (Advanced Glycation End products) is a major contributing factor to inflammation and chronic illness. Chronic inflammation leads to hormone changes that tax our body’s protein stores and our ability to heal and repair is minimized. The Problem with Most Protein Powders Unfortunately, most protein powders contain cheap and highly processed ingredients that is harder to digest and damaging to health. Others are full of artificial sweeteners and GMO chemicals like aspartame, sucralose, corn fructose, and maltodextrin. And forget the rice based proteins – they are devoid of nutrients, low in biologically valuable amino acids, have a high potential for arsenic contamination and most importantly contain a concentrated and very difficult to digest type of rice gluten. Other common protein options contain foods with severe allergenic potential. The most common include dairy, soy, and egg. All three of these protein replacements can have severe drawbacks. Dairy is usually a major problem for those with gluten sensitivity. Aside from it’ s allergic potential, most dairy proteins are heat processed and derived from GMO cows being fed GMO grains covered in chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals are known gut irritants and have been shown to alter the microbial gut balance and contribute to intestinal permeability (leaky gut). Soy proteins are high in phytates and tannins (compounds that inhibit mineral absorption – calcium, iron, zinc). Most soy proteins are also GMO and have been treated with chemical pesticides plus soy is a death-knell for the thyroid gland. Egg protein replacement powders are typically derived from chickens being fed diets high in GMO grain sources. The birds suffer from poor environmental conditions and those who are gluten sensitive often react to eggs from grain fed chickens. What’s the Solution? If you want a high quality protein without the drawbacks to help support your recovery and overall health, I recommend Pure Hydrolysed Collagen. Start with one scoop a day and progress to two scoops. My Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is non-GMO, grass-fed and pure, it has all you need to heal your gut. There are no carbs or calories, it won’t spike blood sugar/insulin, and is free of hormones and antibiotics. Mix it into water, coffee or tea once or twice a day, it will heal the gut in double quick time.
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All about Sally-Ann Creed Collagen
Bovine and chicken collagen are the 2 superior forms of collagen to use. Type 1 collagen is the most abundant ‘type’ found in the body which is also found in bovine collagen – we are seldom short of this kind. The chicken ‘type’ (type 2) is usually depleted in the body, and this is safer than porcine collagen as porcine collagen is cheap and could be full of hormones. A good chicken collagen will be free of hormones and is not cheap. Porcine collagen is also considered to be not nearly as effective as other forms such as bovine and chicken collagen. One also needs to consider the country the collagen comes from, whether grass-fed or not and the quality of the animals. This is not possible with fish in polluted oceans, which is why I chose to avoid fish/marine collagen for a long time until I found one from wild-caught, MSC-certified source that I could trust. You can find it here. Regarding the pork collagen, pigs are often fed sweets, plastic, pellets, fecal matter etc, and I’m concerned about this. It’s also not as effective as the bovine kind, so I would rather stick with the bovine and chicken varieties as I can verify their sources, purity and overall quality. Bovine Collagen (Type 1 & Type 3) Naturally occurring in the skin, bones and muscles of cattle, this one is the closest to what our bodies make – providing types 1 and 3 collagen. These types are the major components of skin, nails, hair, ligaments, tendons, bone, teeth, gums, eyes, arteries and blood vessels and make up over 90% of the collagen in our bodies, so it makes sense to start with this kind of collagen. There is an enormous amount of precious glycine in bovine collagen, which promotes cellular health, and it’s one of the 3 amino acids needed to form creatine which supports healthy muscles and energy levels post-workout. The other impressive amino acid present which is thin on the ground in nature, is proline – this plays a truly critical role in the body’s own ability to produce collagen, and it’s a very heart-healthy amino acid too. Collagen can supply all the above benefits and a few more as follows: Prevent or repair broken capillaries Improve damaged skin (from sun, chemicals, heat exposure) Treat lack of collagen causing skin to loose it’s elasticity Improve ageing skin losing its firmness and suppleness Acne responds very well when combined with dietary changes Psoriasis, eczema and flaky skin Skin pigmentation Strong teeth and healthy gums General skin imbalances Nails that are brittle and flaky Lack lustre hair, thinning hair, hair loss Dry brittle hair Promotes restful sleep Liver detoxifier Excellent for gut health Improved metabolism Bone density Cognitive ability improves Banishes cellulite and removes the dimpling effect on the skin Prevents and reduces existing stretch marks Chicken Collagen (Type 2) We now stock chicken collagen, which is really exciting as it’s very hard to get hold of a quality chicken collagen. It works by causing your body to produce substances that fight inflammation and pain (inflammation causes ageing). It also contains chondroitin and glucosamine, two powerful compounds which help rebuild cartilage. Chicken collagen can also provide some amazing benefits for your gut, immune system, skin and more. It has been said to be valuable in stopping autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in its tracks or at the least greatly improve RA. The naturally-occurring glucosamine and chondroitin make this the obvious choice for addressing joint problems – whether to heal them or keep them from breaking down in sports. It also naturally contains hyaluronic acid which many of you know is close to an elixir of youth for the skin. Chicken collagen has the richest source of hyaluronic acid – known for bringing youthfulness, plumpness and moisture to the skin, while doing the same in the joints to keep them moving freely. Pure chicken collagen has been shown to retrain the immune system to correctly recognize exposed cartilage proteins as the body’s own tissues, rather than incorrectly seeing them as foreign invaders. This prevents the inflammatory and destructive attack that causes osteoarthritic joint stiffness and pain and other diseases of ageing. Research continues to provide proof that collagen can help seal openings in the gut lining and support gut integrity (avoiding leaky gut) and this directly boosts immunity too. Please make sure the collagen is pure, without any chemical additives or sweeteners. Both bovine and chicken collagen help form elastin and other compounds within skin that are responsible for maintaining skin’s youthful tone, texture and appearance. Nutrition is key when it comes to skin health and appearance. The more collagen you have in your body, the less likely you will be to have one of the most visible signs of aging — wrinkles. While many face creams claim to revitalize skin by including collagen in their ingredients, the molecules in these topical products are way too large for your skin to absorb – it is an impossible task topically – this needs to be taken as food. Chicken collagen reduces pain and inflammation, improves joint function and slows progression of osteoarthritis (OA). What we know from studies on chicken collagen: Believed to enhance the shock-absorbing properties of collagen and block enzymes that break down cartilage Helps cartilage retain water and may reverse cartilage loss Research shows that oral collagen supplementation effectively improves the common signs of skin ageing One study found that skin hydration improved after eight weeks of collagen supplementation while collagen density in the dermis significantly increased after just four weeks of supplementation. Chicken collagen helps support a healthy mucosal layer in the gut. Studies have found that in individuals with digestive imbalances, serum concentrations of collagen are decreased. Because the amino acids in collagen build the tissue that lines the colon and entire GI tract, supplementing with collagen can support healthy digestive function. By keeping the mucosal layer of your gut healthy, you can avoid leaky gut syndrome, which is often the root cause of food allergies, low energy, joint pain, thyroid disease, autoimmune diseases, ageing and slow metabolism. Bovine collagen will also have these effects on the gut. Chicken vs Bovine While almost all kinds will do much the same thing, chicken collagen is best known for its ability to target joint issues and cellulite, while bovine is better for skin and weight issues. However they will both be beneficial, if taken at different times of the day. My suggestion is instead of taking 2 scoops of bovine in the morning, take 1-2 scoops of bovine in coffee in the morning and one scoop of chicken in the evening on an empty stomach for the best results in all body systems. Collagen (Bovine and Chicken) assist with the prevention of protein glycation (ageing) and the further breakdown of collagen structures inside the body. The older we get, the more we lose the ability to produce collagen, which means we need to supplement it. Supplementing it significantly helps the body to continue to produce more of its own collagen naturally for longer. Hyaluronic Acid is something of a buzzword today in the beauty arena, and known as ‘nature’s moisturiser’. Dry eyes have been known to benefit from it, wrinkles are delayed or smoothed out and joints benefit from the extra water it brings for increased mobility. It is one of the most hydrophilic (water-loving) molecules in nature. It helps plump lips and skin but it is also highly concentrated in the eyeball. In fact vitreous humour – the fluid in the eyeball – is composed almost completely of hyaluronic acid, acting as a shock absorber and transporting nutrients to the eye. After the age of 50 the body stops producing hyaluronic acid it’s said, and this is why so many eye problems surface after this time. And wonderfully, hyaluronic acid acts as a ‘space filler’ by binding to water and keeping skin wrinkle-free. Types of Collagen Did you know there are 28 types of collagen which have been identified? But only 3 are necessary as these are the most common ones in the human body. Bovine collagen has type 1 and 3, and is the most amazing collagen. It does absolutely everything – and if you are looking for a way to improve your health and physical appearance, bovine collagen will do that admirably. My Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is bovine, so look out for that one. The chicken collagen is under Collagen Type 2, and is a wonderful adjunct to the bovine one. Taken together, yet at different times of the day – yields a far more powerful effect on all body systems, than taking just one. Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Most abundant in the body Less abundant, but vital Second most abundant From skin, ligaments, bone, scar tissue, tendons Found in the eyes and cartilage Found in muscles, blood vessels, intestinal walls Helps stimulate type 2 in the body Richest in hyaluronic acid Stimulates type 2 production Occurs with type 3 (or should do) Contains hyaluronic acid Found in bovine collagen Found in chicken collagen Type 3 occurs with Type 1 (Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is bovine) (Collagen Type 2 is chicken) Found in bovine collagen Supports: Supports: Supports: Skin elasticity; wrinkles Skin elasticity; cellulite; wrinkles Muscle health Joint health Joint and eye health Bone health Bone health Reduces signs of ageing Skin health, youthfulness Both bovine and chicken will help to support and heal leaky gut, improve fat-burning and delay wrinkles. When buying collagen be careful it’s not only type 1 – you want type 1 & 3 TOGETHER. You also want Type 2 to be SEPARATE – the three must not be in one mixture or you will not absorb them properly. Types 1 & 3 are supposed to be together, taken in the morning, and then take Type 2 separately in the evening in water on an empty stomach just before bed. This way your body gets the most AMAZING collagen boost! Why I won’t use other collagen supplements available: Here are just some of the ingredients I’ve seen in the collagen supplements out there (I’ve only named a few here remember!) and why I decided I wanted pure products for my own body, and so brought in my own pure bovine and chicken collagens: Glycerin (extremely drying to the skin – why add it to an anti-ageing product where dryness is the last thing you want in skin, hair, bones and joints?) Citric Acid (can be harmful – side effects of citric acid could include nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. More serious side effects may include severe muscle twitches, cramps or pain, seizure, numbness of the hands or feet, weakness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, restlessness, irritability and black or bloody stools) Sodium Benzoate (very nasty unnecessary chemical preservative, ESPECIALLY dangerous when taken WITH citric acid as it forms benzene, a carcinogen linked to leukemia and other blood cancers, plus can induce asthma and hypertension) Potassium Sorbate (chemical preservative – not necessary in collagen at all! It also can induce migraines, causes allergies, affect the immune system, itching in mouth, throat, eyes, may cause sinus and nasal congestion.) Maltodextrin (this is plain old SUGAR which ages you, inflames you and dries you up) Soy extract (Soy is toxic to the thyroid and has a host of serious problems attached, should not be eaten by man nor beast in my opinion) Natural Orange Flavour and other E numbers (this is not natural at all! If it has ‘flavour’ in the title, it is a chemical) Talc (linked to ovarian & lung cancer. In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos) Glycerol (used as a sugar for sweetening the taste of the powder/liquid) Vegetable oil (damaged, artery-clogging, inflammatory seed oil – ugh) Shellac (basically plastic coating on the tablet) Colours (could be anything at all! But some include Ammonia Caramel and Titanium Dioxide – these are usually all chemicals, not natural colourings) And the worst is that some of these products exceed well over R1000 for the teeny tiniest amounts in tablet form with very little collagen present, plus a bunch of chemicals; it’s called clever advertising. Collagen is best in powder form, mixes easily and costs less for a better product. Now do you see why I’m so passionate about my pure powder collagen products? For bovine collagen click here Disclaimer: Originally published on Facebook on 26 January 2018.
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The various "pauses" in menopause
In menopause, the ovaries ‘pause’ their output of estrogen but there are other pauses during this time to consider. There is simultaneously a pause in the androgenic hormones. These androgenic hormones come from the ovaries but they also come from the adrenals and this pause leads to a decrease in both testosterone and DHEA – hormones which are instrumental in the control of blood sugar, they affect how the body the body burns fuel and whether it is placed in muscle tissue and the liver as glycogen or visceral fat (which is also known as abdominal fat.) Adrenal strain Additional strain is also evident in the adrenals themselves at this time. As the ovaries are doing less work, the adrenals are forced to take over this task. As estrogen falls the adrenals work much harder to make estrone to try to compensate for the loss, and this means they are less able to make DHEA, testosterone and cortisol. Thyropause Ever heard of the “thyropause”? It’s a real thing – generally the thyroid will slow down as a person ages, and thyroid disease risk increases during menopause. Whenever there are large hormonal shifts in the body, you may see latent thyroid disease revealed, such as: Puberty Pregnancy Menopause Hepatopause There’s also “hepatopause”, where the liver is less able to regulate fuel properly. When perfectly healthy it can store extra fuel and make it available when needed – an unhealthy liver has less room to store glycogen, and instead gets jammed with triglycerides leading to fatty liver disease. This also leaves little room for regulating metabolism. Fatty liver can happen to those who don’t drink alcohol at all – called Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and this is often due to soft drinks, sugar and excess carbs. A fatty liver is hard-pressed to burn fuel correctly, it stores more fat than is needed while releasing less than is needed, and begins to enlarge. A healthy liver A healthy liver has 1-3% fat, but a fatty liver has more than 5% and disease sets in when it hits somewhere near the 10% mark, which leads to: Liver malfunction Scarring of liver tissue Liver cancer If you have fatty liver, decreasing your food intake will leave you utterly fatigued. There are less androgens available causing a decrease in basal (or resting) metabolic rate, proportionate to a loss of muscle mass – or sarcopenia. This is why intermittent fasting may not work for some women after a certain age. Menopausal weight gain This can be addressed if you follow the right steps early enough. By focusing on adrenal function you want to reset your body to wake up early and be full of energy and see the cortisol drop in the evenings when you go to bed to give you restful sleep. All too often it’s the other way round in menopause, you have too much cortisol at night when you don’t need it, and little during the day when you do, which can result in: Depression Fatigue Insomnia Anxiety Easy weight gain Difficulty losing weight Inflammation Digestive disturbances Blood sugar dysregulation Difficulty dealing with stress and lifestyle changes Your nutrition, sleep, and exercise Refocusing your diet at this time of life – earlier if possible – is key to how you will cope with all these periods of ‘pause’ in your menopause. Your macronutrients become key to managing cortisol now. You must not stop carbs, but concentrate on good quality, lower carbohydrate foods, eat moderate amounts of healthy fat instead of going low fat, and have enough protein. Timing is everything! You need to get your ‘timing’ of eating carbs right. Carbs naturally lower cortisol, so eating carbs in the morning will make you tired during the day. Your carbs should be highest at night as your carb-digesting enzymes are highest at this time, and will facilitate lowering of cortisol levels to enable you to sleep better. Tailoring your intake of carbs will make a difference to cortisol, weight and sleep. The ‘pause’ we see in menopause with regard to sleep is distressing with many women turning to sleeping pills at this time, which is really not ideal at all. Making sure you have restful sleep will help to control your weight and make you feel a whole lot better in your waking hours. Getting enough quality protein is also more important at this time of life than you may realise. It will prevent the muscle loss associated with menopause when so many women are eating less protein than they should, and this dramatically affects adrenal function which relies on high-quality protein. This will enable you to retain your valuable muscle mass, especially when combined with some healthy, regular exercise. So some of the ways to reset your hormones and lose that menopausal weight creeping up will include: Eating carbs at the right time of day (ie. sweet potato at night and eggs in the morning) Eating enough good quality protein at each meal Not going low fat, but eating healthy fats in moderate proportions Getting sufficient sleep and resetting that cortisol curve Dealing with stress effectively Taking the right targeted supplements for you personally Don’t try any rash or strange diets at this time of life! You will further destroy a fragile metabolic rate that is in need of fixing, and which can be done if you do it sanely. Men and women are very different and a completely different approach needs to be taken when it comes to weight loss in women, particularly those in menopause. Your body and brain are in need of vital nutrition from good food at this time of life, don’t skimp on quality. Visit our Health Resources page for helpful free resources to help you along your journey https://sallyanncreed.co.za/health-resources/ This post is subject to our general disclaimer https://sallyanncreed.co.za/disclaimer/.
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7 foods to help improve your skin
An unhealthy diet can not only damage your metabolism and cause weight gain but may also lead to chronic health conditions including diabetes and heart disease. What’s more, your diet has a direct impact on your skin, contributing to conditions such as ageing or even acne. Skin conditions often have a domino effect on your self-esteem and quality of life. It’s important to take care of your skin health and one of the most effective ways to do so is by looking at your daily diet to ensure you are getting the essential nutrients you need for skin protection. These seven foods may help keep skin healthy, strong, and attractive. 1. Walnuts Walnuts are particularly high in Omega 3, vitamin E and Zinc, all being essential in maintaining a healthy skin barrier to protect not only against inflammation but bacteria too. You will find fabulous ones available here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/walnuts/ 2. Omega-3 from Fatty fish. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish are vital for reducing skin redness, acne and keeping your skin moisturised. Omega-3 fats are a good source of vitamin E (an antioxidant), zinc and protein which can make the skin less sensitive to the sun’s harsh UV radiation. Omega-3 deficiency can cause skin dryness and supplements may also fight autoimmune conditions which are known to affect the skin such as lupus and psoriasis and lupus. You will find ours here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/the-omega-3-solution-fish-oil-softgels/ 3. Avocado The good fats from avocados help to keep your skin moisturised and flexible. Avo’s are rich in both Vitamin E and Vitamin C, both are fabulous for skin health. They even protect your skin from possible UV damage exposure. 4. Bell Peppers Bell Peppers contain vitamin C which is important for your body’s own collagen production and will aid in skin elasticity. They are also an excellent source of the carotenoid beta-carotene that acts as a natural sunblock for one’s skin, protecting against cell damage, sunburn, skin cancer, dryness and wrinkles (not replacing sunblock of course!) 5. Dark chocolate Cocoa is known to be rich in antioxidants that increase blood flow and hydrate the skin. Hooray! Enjoy our very own 70% dark chocolate! 6. Green tea Every cup is filled with antioxidants and catechins which may protect skin from the onset of visible signs of ageing. 7. Pure Hydrolysed Collagen Collagen is known to have many benefits for the skin including slowing down the rate at which fine lines may appear, helping your form new collagen, strengthening skin, improving elasticity and hydration! Make sure you are using pure hydrolysed collagen for the best skin health benefits. You will find ours available here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/collagen-pure-hydrolysed/
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