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Big in Japan: Drinking Collagen Keeps Japanese Women Young and Beautiful
Ever wonder why it is that Japanese women have such healthy looking skin? Ever wonder how Japanese women manage to look so young well into their golden years?
What if I told you that there was a simple and cheap remedy for reducing wrinkles, hiding blemishes and firming up loose skin. For just a few dollars a day, you too can turn back the clock and wash away the visible signs of aging.
And no, the answer is not a face lift...
And no, the answer is not Botox...
Although the secret is slowly spreading to the Western World, for years Japanese women have been drinking daily mega-doses of collagen as supplement to their diet.
Collagen, the main protein of connective tissue in animals, is a long, fibrous, structural protein that gives strength to tissues and cells. It is also responsible for skin strength and elasticity, and its degradation leads to the formation of wrinkles that accompany aging.
Collagen, dissolved in vitamin water and bottled for your consumption, is also sold at convenience stores across Japan.
Now, I know that it's easy to be skeptical about health and beauty products, especially since the next big thing is always being touted on late night infomercials across North America. And of course, we all know that the Japanese have incredibly healthy diets that are based on rice and fish, compared with the North America propensity for fatty foods.
Also, I don't want to discount their genetic predisposition, especially considering that the Japanese tend to age very well, and generally look younger than their Western counterparts.
But, there is scientific reason to believe that collagen may in fact be something of a fountain of youth. And although anecdotal evidence isn't exactly the most reliable of methods, my Japanese friends swear by stuff.
As a structural protein, collagen has great tensile strength, and is the main component of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bones and teeth. In addition to retaining the firmness of skin, it is also responsible for strengthening blood vessels as well as connective tissues.
For years, collagen has been widely used in various types of cosmetic surgery, as a healing aid for burn patients, for reconstructing bones and ligaments, and in a number of dental and orthopedic procedures.
Of course, all of this doesn't necessarily mean that drinking collagen will result in better skin, thicker hair, stronger teeth and healthier bones, and the scientific consensus on the benefits of liquid supplements remains undecided. However, this hasn't stopped Japanese health and beauty companies from packaging the stuff and selling it in bulk to the consumer, netting mill
ions of dollars of profit each year.
In Tokyo, you can by bottles containing 10,000 mg of collagen dissolved in a vitamin and mineral packed peach-flavored solution for approximately US$2 (230 yen). And remarkably, you don't even have to go to a specialty store to buy the product.
Instead, just simple walk out of your apartment, head into the first convenience store you see, and give in to your vanity for the same price as a cup of coffee.
Truth be told, I can't stop drinking the stuff.
Call it vanity (or possibly stupidity), but there's no denying how young and healthy all of my Japanese friends look.
Will let you know how my quest for beauty works out in a few months' time...
Gallery: Japanese Fashion
Filed under: Food and Drink, Asia, Japan, Big in Japan
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Vivi Oct 12th 2007 3:19PM
Why not buy a can of Bag Balm and use it like you would a cold cream on your face after thoroughly washing the face gently with soap and water? Use it sparingly or you will find your face too greasy.
littlecreek2009 Oct 12th 2007 3:27PM
ewwwwww that is so GROSS!
not sure but guessing Oct 12th 2007 4:16PM
Next thing u know we will be drinking cows blood.(organically feed and killed humanely)
mic hele Oct 12th 2007 4:07PM
Sounds Great!! So were can we get it in the US? Is there a web site we can go to?
peg Oct 12th 2007 4:41PM
Isn't knox gelatin the same thing?
Rick Oct 12th 2007 4:58PM
Just another opportunity for someone to make big bucks on a desire to look good forever.
Emily Reiser Oct 12th 2007 5:31PM
Is there anyway to purchase in the United States or a web site to get it online?
Amy Oct 12th 2007 5:47PM
Collgen is the greatest stuff! I get at my local health store i.e. Pilgrams Nutrition. It's what holds our bodies together! RESEARCH, REASEARCH for yourself.
BILL SWOPE Oct 12th 2007 6:18PM
WHERE CAN I GET SOME???
Amy Oct 12th 2007 6:39PM
I get it at any health food store.....where they sell all kinds of supplements.
sheila Oct 12th 2007 8:01PM
if it really works where can i get some
sheila Oct 12th 2007 8:03PM
where can i buy some
j Oct 12th 2007 8:20PM
If it was that simple everyone would have known about this decades ago ! Someone < vitimin water ppl> are pushing this product to make a buck . None for me thank you! < smiling with my nice pink complexion> I rinse in cold water:)
Sheila Robertson Oct 12th 2007 8:13PM
Collagen is the greatest thing for skin and Retin-A is proven to help skin produce collagen. However, that would only be used on the face. I love this supplement idea because it would cover the whole body. Since it's inexpensive and can possibly, then why not try it? I WOULD RATHER DO THAT THAN GIVE IN TO THE SURGERY AND BOTOX CRAZE.
j Oct 12th 2007 8:21PM
Oh, and a little fresh , dried rosemary in your tub water makes for a glowing, soft skin : ) And is very relaxing , The scent is lovely as well .
BobbyDean Oct 15th 2007 8:07PM
Unfortunately, when you drink a protein like collagen, it gets broken down by digestive enzymes into it's constituent amino acids before it can be absorbed. It's no longer collagen as such. It's like saying a smashed vase is still a vase.
bill Nov 8th 2007 2:35PM
Studies on collagen, a few of the many out there.
Important for the eyes:
"Mapping collagen organization in the human cornea: left and right eyes are structurally distinct ... Boote C, Hayes, S†. Abahussin M. and Meek KM (2006) Mapping collagen organization in the human cornea: left and right eyes are structurally distinct. Cardiff University"
Important for wound healing:
"Anglin I, Roberts G P, Chant D, Harding K G, and Hopkinson I (1994). Collagen VII gene expression in human leg ulcers. (Abstract). International Journal of Experimental Pathology 75, A72."
and
"Collagen has been used for postsurgical medical applications and its efficacy has been well documented for many years. In a series of clinical trials, lyophilized type I collagen was evaluated by Mian, Beghe, and Mian (1992) for pharmacologic approach, efficacy, and cellular interaction in wound healing. In another publication, Mian, Mian, and Beghe (1991) have shown that collagen effectively promoted the process of healing with a marked debriding effect and a lowering of bacterialization in superficial wounds. These authors concluded that a collagen sponge is “recognized by the repair tissue,” with a consequent enhancement of connective-tissue formation. Also, collagen dressing activates inflammatory phagocytic cells and increases vascularization of the repaired tissue. These authors also believed that the basic fundamental elements that collagen brings into the wound activity are its hemostatic effect, its interaction with platelets and interaction with fibronectin, increase in fluid exudate, increase in cellular components (macrophages), and support for fibroblastic proliferation into wound activity. In another clinical trial, Palmieri (1992) noted that the three-dimensional structure of the collagen protein has the unique property of eliciting growth of the fibroblastic network in the granulation tissue. This affords protection to proliferating epithelial edges. In reaction to injury, collagen attracts cells, like macrophages, which regulate the entire healing process. In regeneration, collagen provides an environment for fibroblast cells that actively form the new tissue (Doillonet et al., 1988). In remodeling, collagen is the material deposited in the wound that imparts strength to the new tissue over time. Collagen promotes a scaffold for cell migration. In turn, the healing process of the diabetic wound is expedited (Mian et al., 1991)."
In treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (NOTE THE "ORAL" REFERENCES):
Trentham, DE. Evidence that type II collagen feeding can induce a durable therapeutic response in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 778, 306-14 (1996)
Barnett, ML et al. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with ORAL type II collagen. Results of a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 41, 290-7 (1998)
Sieper, J et al. ORAL type II collagen treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 39, 41-51 (1996)
Ausar, SF et al. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by oral administration of bovine tracheal type II collagen. Rheumatol Int 4, 138-44 (2001)
Trentham, DE. Oral tolerization as a treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 24, 525-36 (1998)
Moskowitz, RW. Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease. Sem Arthr Rheum 30, 87-99 (2000)
Reduction in collagen contributes to cardiac disease:
"Plaque instability is now acknowledged to be the major cause of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death---Plaque instability begins with endothelial activation caused by both the classic cardiac risk factors (elevated cholesterol levels, smoking, and hypertension) and more recently identified factors (homocysteine, immune complexes, and some infectious agents). Activated endothelium causes local adherence of blood cells that can enter the blood vessel wall. As cells enter the endothelium, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol also enters and is oxidized and taken up by macrophages. This lipid and macrophage core is the largest segment of an unstable plaque. All cell types in the vessel wall are activated, as occurs in other chronic inflammatory processes, and cytokines and proteolytic enzymes are expressed. These enzymes cause COLLAGEN degradation, resulting in thinning of the fibrous cap of the ATHEROMA."
"Lipid lowering diminished macrophage accumulation, reduced expression and activity of MMPs, and INCREASED interstitial COLLAGEN accumulation in rabbit ATHEROMA. Expression and activity of TF in atheroma also substantially decreased during lipid lowering. DIETARY lipid lowering also promoted accumulation of mature smooth muscle cells expressing less MMPs and TF in the plaque's fibrous cap. These results suggest potential mechanisms by which lipid lowering reduces acute coronary events in patients by decreasing proteolytic and prothrombotic activity within the atheroma."
Collagen and the skin:
"R. Puxkandl, I. Zizak, O. Paris, J. Keckés, W. Tesch, S. Bernstorff, P. Purslow, P. Fratzl
Viscoelastic properties of collagen: synchrotron radiation investigations and structural model
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 357, pp. 191-197 (2002)
Collagen type I is the most abundant structural protein in tendon, skin and bone, and largely determines the mechanical behaviour of these connective tissues."
Probably the most important fact to know is that VITAMIN C IS THE AGENT THAT IS NECESSARY TO FORM COLLAGEN IN THE BODY. AND THAT APPLYING COLLAGEN TO THE FACE VIA CREAMS ETC IS A WASTE OF MONEY as it cannot penetrate the surface of the skin. Health comes from the INSIDE. We don't make Vitamin C and have to acquire if from food (or supplements). No vitamin C intake = reduction in usable collagen.
"Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a cofactor required for the function of several hydroxylases and monooxygenases. It is NOT synthesized in humans and some other animal species and has to be provided by diet or pharmacologic means. Its absence is responsible for SCURVY, a condition related in its initial phases to a defective synthesis of COLLAGEN by the reduced function of prolylhydroxylase and production of collagen polypeptides lacking hydroxyproline, therefore, they are unable to assemble into stable triple-helical collagen molecules."
nlm nih gov/medlineplus
"Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin, which is necessary in the body to form COLLAGEN in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels, and aids in the absorption of iron. Dietary sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges."
http://www.cosmetochem.com/upload/docs/publications/Stimulation%20of%20Collagen%20Production%20in%20Human%20Fibroblasts.pdf
"Collagen is produced in the fibroblasts of the human dermis and is essential for healthy, firm skin. Both the quality and quantity of collagen decrease in ageing skin, often due to the effect of external factors such as exposure to the sun, especially UVA radiation. The result of this cross-linking is that the skin loses its elasticity. In the past, topical application of soluble animal collagen was used in an attempt to stimulate the formation of collagen in the skin. However, these tests were unsuccessful, as collagen cannot penetrate the epidermis."
Finally, as we need Vitamin C to make collagen work in the body, here is an article from Medicine Net that gives a lot of information about it:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12420
Perhaps the high IQ of the Japanese, and their longevity (they live far longer than we do) is the result of their eating healthily (lots of fresh packed full of Omega 3 and, in their skins, collagen) instead of eating badly and then ending up with chronic diseases trusting that drug companies will provide them with long-term, often permanent, drug treatment for their problems. Drug companies make their $billions of money from ill health (obviously), and should they fund studies for prevention, would cut down their own MASSIVE profits considerably. They're a business and who can blame them for cashing in for $billions if we believe we can eat any old thing, and turn our nose up at the idea of nutritional food being necessary for good health :)
bill Nov 8th 2007 2:45PM
Sorry, correction required as I missed a vital word out:
"Perhaps the high IQ of the Japanese, and their longevity (they live far longer than we do) is the result of their eating healthily (lots of fresh *FISH* packed full of Omega 3 and, in their skins, collagen)..."
bill Nov 8th 2007 3:45PM
Mary Ann Noel says that she couldn't see any difference yet on 30 mgs. From looking around that would seem a tiny amount.
On search I can see a British site that gives a daily recommendation of what sounds a HUGE 10,000 mgs [10 grams] http://www.bodyedge.co.uk/product.asp?cookiecheck=yes&P_ID=138&gclid=CKmZuevPzY8CFQ_UlAodpGECTw
and various other sites giving upwards from 1,000 mgs per dose as in 500 mgs x 2 daily. http://www.foodscienceofvermont.com/naturescollagen.html
If those are the amounts needed to have any noticeable effect then 30 mgs would probably make negligible difference, if any at all. It also seems that collagen is vastly more available in Britain than in the States. Perhaps there's a British site out there which ships to the US?