UK-based vitamin manufacturers G&G Food Supplies has announced the launch of two new products in the UK - Collagen and Collagen Plus - said to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and aid joint repair.
Tests carried out by Harvard Medical School have shown that 100 per cent pure collagen - of which G&G's Collagen supplement is made of - feeds and supports connective tissue.
"It's been found that taking collagen helps in the body's own collagen synthesis and since collagen makes up 75 per cent of the skin, it's easy to understand why this protein plays such an important role in the body's ageing process," said Jeremy Stephens, executive director of G&G.
"Collagen's other major benefit is that it is effective in repairing and regenerating damaged ligaments, tendons, joints and bones as well as preventing such problems," continued Stephens.
The results of research by physiologists Dr Oesser and Professor Seifert of Kiel University, published just two months ago, showed for the first time that collagen plays an important part in the nutrition of cartilage tissue. Stephens says it was in response to this that G&G also developed Collagen Plus - a combination of collagen and other agents considered effective in this area, including glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamin C and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane).
G&G claims that its Collagen supplement is suitable for people wishing to reduce wrinkles and improve the elasticity of their skin without surgery. Collagen Plus is said to be suitable for people suffering from degenerative problems of the joints, such as osteoarthritis. Especially, it adds, for those looking for a non-surgical alternative to a hip or knee replacement.
The company cites the work of Professor R Moskowitz, director of the Arthritis Institute of the University of Cleveland and president of the International Osteoarthritis Research Society as further evidence of the effectiveness of collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Moskowitz' research has shown that collagen resulted in a significant reduction of pain and an improvement in joint mobility for people suffering from osteoarthritis.
Collagen 400mg - 100 per cent pure hydrolised collagen - retails at £9.95 for 50 capsules while Collagen Plus 200mg - containing 100 per cent pure hydrolised collagen, 250mg glucosamine, 150mg chondroitin, 100mg vitamin C and 150mg MSM - costs £14.95 for 50 capsules.
The products are available from G&G's Factory Shops in Imberhorne Way and Queen's Walk, East Grinstead in the UK and by mail order.