Skin-Loving Ingredients from Nutraceuticals
By Jessica Martin – Quality Systems Analyst
Nutritional supplements benefit our bodies both on the inside and outside. A popular and ever in demand ingredient is collagen due to its links in reducing photoaging and promoting youthful-looking skin. However, there are many ingredients that contribute to and promote the production of collagen that shouldn’t be overlooked.
L-Lysine
L-Lysine is an essential amino acid, and one that is necessary in the production of collagen. Collagen is the protein responsible for the shape and mechanical properties of our skin tissue and Lysine is critical for its synthesis and function. It’s essential in the structure of collagen as it acquires numerous enzymatic modifications (post-translational modifications), particularly those that allow links between collagen chains.
L-Lysine can also inhibit collagenases, which are a group of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which are the main type of enzymes responsible for collagen degradation.
By being able to reduce collagen breakdown, L-Lysine is an excellent companion in supporting wound healing and slowing down the physical symptoms of ageing skin. On the epidermis level, it can facilitate cell proliferation, reduce inflammation, angiogenesis (vascularisation) and has the potential to have antimicrobial effects.
L-Arginine + Creatine
L-Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid and a popular ingredient in products aimed at benefiting skin and hair for its anti-static effects and its ability to retain moisture in the skin barrier.
L-Arginine, along with L-Methionine and Glycine, creates Creatine. Creatine provides our cells with energy, and in-turn, promotes the development of connective tissue and stimulates skin cell turnover. As we age, our cell division decreases and the number of fibres present in tissue, including collagen and elastin, reduces. This leads to skin losing its elasticity, dehydration and wrinkles forming. Creatine can help to support the natural function of the skin, by stimulating cell turnover to promote youthful looking skin.
Elastin
Just like collagen, elastin is an important protein part of the extracellular matrix, and is present in all organs and tissues in the human body, providing essential structural support. Elastin differs from collagen in that it gives our extracellular matrix the ability to stretch and bounce once it has been pulled out of shape. In essence, elastin provides our skin with elasticity.
Elastin groups and cross-links with other elastin molecules to form a chain of elastin (fibril). One fibril can combine with other fibrils to make an elastin fibre. It’s this unique structure that allows for elastin’s stretchy property and its ability to help in slowing down and reducing skin sagging.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its health, medicinal and cosmetic properties. Each leaf is composed of three sections:
- The inner leaf gel – Contains up to 99% water, with the rest composed of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins.
- Middle layer – A yellow sap that contains anthraquinones and glycosides, providing the bitter taste
- Outer layer – A protective rind that synthesises carbohydrates and proteins
Aloe vera is filled with many potentially active ingredients, including but not limited to:
- Vitamins – Aloe vera contains antioxidant vitamins A, C and E which help to neutralise free radicals. Free radicals can contribute to collagen breakdown
- Enzymes – Aloe vera plants contain enzymes. One of which is Bradykinase; when used as a topical treatment, it can help to reduce inflammation
- Fatty Acids – The fatty acids found in aloe vera have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties
- Amino Acids – Aloe vera can provide 20 of the 22 amino acids humans require and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.
Coconut Water + Vitamin C
It’s not a surprise that coconut water has become a key ingredient in many nutritional and wellness supplements. Supplements using coconut water harvested straight from the coconut have several health benefits, including that of collagen production.
Natural coconut water contains a healthy dose of Vitamin C, which is needed for the synthesis of type 1 collagen, the most abundant collagen form in the body. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is an essential cofactor for prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase; enzymes that are required for the proper folding of the stable collagen triple-helix structure. Prolyl hydroxylase catalyse the formation of hydroxyproline; one of the three key amino acids that increase the stability of the collagen triple-helix. Lysyl hydroxylase catalyse the hydroxylation (an oxidation reaction of carbon-hydrogen bond into carbon-hydroxyl bond) of collagen synthesis and plays a vital role in the extracellular matrix in the human body.
Deficiency in Vitamin C may result in an abnormal development of collagen. To find out more on collagen structure and the triple-helix, view our collagen blog here
Coconut water also contains a high potassium and low sodium content which can make it a great alternative to a typical sports drink when replenishing the body post-exercise as well.
Overall, supplementing with any of these ingredients can benefit the health of our skin from the inside out. Other worthy ingredients that benefit our health and skin include Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin A (Retinol). At Nutraceuticals, we have a varied range of skin benefitting ingredients, including those detailed in this article.
Check out our tools for more on health claims
References:
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3293068/
3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24141413/
4 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123210000573
5 https://parjournal.net/article/view/3863
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3449675/
7 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X94976635
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NIGEBLE012330 |
NBlend – NGEBBEHCHSN01a – Nutraceuticals Base Blend Health Claims Premix – Hair Skin and Nails |
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NIGEAMA005611 |
L-Lysine Aspartate Vegan Fermented |
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NIGEAMA005601 |
L-Lysine HCl Vegan Fermented |
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NIGEBLE012530 |
NBlend – NGEBBBVC01a – Nutraceuticals Base Blend Vegan Collagen Alternative |
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NIGEBLE012540 |
NBlend – NGEBBBVC02a – Nutraceuticals Base Blend Vegan Collagen Alternative Connective Tissue Claims |
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NIGEPRT000351 |
Caviar Collagen 60% Protein 10% Chondroitin Sulphate 1% Hyaluronic Acid (Allergen – Fish) ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000365 |
Collagen Native Undenatured Chicken Sternum Type II Food Grade ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000601 |
Collagen Peptides 90% Bovine Type 1 Hydrolysed ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000321 |
Collagen Peptides 90% Fish Type I Hydrolysed (Allergen – Fish) ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000325 |
Collagen Peptides 90% Fish Type I Hydrolysed 5000Da HP (Allergen – Fish) ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000323 |
Collagen Peptides 90% Fish Type I Hydrolysed High Density 140 Mesh (Allergen – Fish) ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000331 |
Collagen Peptides 90% Fish Type III Hydrolysed (Allergen – Fish) ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000580 |
Collagen Peptides 90% Porcine Type 1 Hydrolysed ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000361 |
Collagen Peptides Chicken Sternum Type II Food Grade ¤ |
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NIGEPRT000341.1 |
Marine Collagen Peptides 90% Fish Hydrolysed (Allergen – Fish) ¤ |