Remedy or Ruse?        

Back in the day, the snake oil man would pass through town touting the wonders of some magical product that could soothe all physical problems. Years have passed since those times, and we scoff at the idea that people bought into magical potions.

And yet…

Today, there are a host of products that promise to cure all sorts of physical and emotional ills. Many of us buy these products based on word of mouth alone. Is there any scientific basis to these remedies?

Family First decided to find out

Collagen

Does collagen make skin look younger? Does it improve the quality of hair and nails?

Collagen has been a buzzword for a long time. The general gist is that if you care about aging you should stock up on collagen and put a scoop of it in your morning coffee in order to stave off the effects of time.

But is collagen the miracle it claims to be?

Maybe yes — for skin. But before examining why, let’s explore the what.

Collagen is a structural protein found in skin, nails, tendons, cartilage, and bones. As we age, our bodies decrease their collagen production, and people turn to collagen supplements to make up for the deficit. Studies have shown that people who used collagen supplements consistently for an extended period of time saw an improvement in the elasticity and firmness of their skin — wrinkles looked less noticeable. There was no effect on hair and nails.