NDS SkinActive®

Collagen:

30% of the proteins in the body is stored in collagen, which is found as a binding agent in our connective tissue in the skin, cartilage, sinews, muscles, bones, blood vessels and in the gastrointestinal tract. The connective tissue is the tissue that supports, provides structure and shape. Collagen is the long chains with polypeptides consisting of amino acids from broken down and digested proteins from the digestive system. Several of these chains wind around each other like woven rope and,

consequently, structure and flexibility is created in our connective tissue. About 28 different forms of collagen exist, but it is the type 1 collagens, in particular, that are found in our skin. The collagen peptides that are in NDS® Probiotic SkinActive®, are type 1 colla- gens. Trials with the special collagens that are used in the product show that 100% is absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and that in the next 12 hours collagen peptides are found in the blood. Subsequently, increased amounts are also found in the skin up to 192 hours after ingestion.

So far, three double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled studies have been conducted with more than 280 participants who have taken either the placebo or a 2.5 g dose of the collagen preparation that is found in NDS® Probiotic SkinActive®.

These studies establish the following effects:

• Increased firmness and elasticity in the skin
• Fewer wrinkles and fine lines
• Increase metabolism of collagens and elastin in deeper layersof the skin
•  and reduced visibility of fine lines in the skin
• The preparation provides nutrients for healthy skin
• Rejuvenation of the skin from the inside
• Adds more moisture to the skinA double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study with 69 healthy women between 35 and 55-years old where they were divided into three groups. One group was given the placebo, the second group was given a 2.5 g dose and the third group was given a 5 g dose of the collagen preparation, which is used in NDS® Probiotic SkinActive®. Already after four weeks, both the 2.5 g and 5 g doses showed up to 15% improved elasticity in the skin. The study continued for a further four weeks and this effect was maintained. The beneficial effect was established with all age groups, but mostly with the women over 50. In addition, an 11-14% increase in moisture in the skin was established and less evaporation of water. This provides an improved skin barrier and regeneration of the skin with firmer and tighter facial skin and thus, the skin’s course pores and lines are removed.

  A second study was conducted over 12 weeks, and there were 115 study participants aged between 45 and 65. The one half of the study participants were given a placebo powder and the other half 2.5 g of this special type 1 collagen powder. Here, the wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet) were measured with 3D measure- ments and photos were taken before and after the study period. After the first four weeks, a significant reduction of wrinkles around the eyes was statistically established of 7.2% with the study group.

  This effect was improved further after eight weeks. Here, a reduction of 20.1% of wrinkles around the eyes was estab- lished on those participants who were given 2.5 g (2,500 mg) col- lagen. Moreover, an increased content of pro-collagen in the skin was established of 65%, increased elastin of 18% and increased fibrillin concentration of 6%. This gives increased elasticity, increased moisture and regeneration of the skin cells.

  The third study with this special collagen raw material was con- ducted with persons who had increased cellulite. 105 women participated who were either of a normal weight or had a high BMI (overweight) and they were between 25 and 50-years old. They were given either a placebo or supplement with 2.5 g of this specific bioactive collagen peptide powder for six months. Statistically significant positive changes were established with less cellulite and ‘bumps’ in the skin and more soft, firm skin for everyone in the treatment group. However, this effect was most pronounced with the women of normal weight, but a beneficial effect was also established with the overweight women.

  All the studies show that it is very important to have a daily dose of 2.5 g type 1 collagen in order to achieve the desired effect.

  Bifidobacteria:

  We have more than ten times more bacteria in, and on, us than we have human cells. Most of them are found in our gastric intesti- nal tract. In cooperation with our immune system, these bacteria decide what needs to be reacted to, what the reaction needs to be, allergic or auto-immune, and what is allowed to get close to the barriers on our skin, mucous membranes throughout the body and in the intestinal system. That which separates the food and the micro-organisms that are in our intestinal system from going further in our bodies, is an intestinal mucous membrane consist- ing of just one layer of closely packed cells. Our immune system constantly makes decisions about what needs to be reacted to in our intestinal system in the way of food and micro-organisms and whether an allergic reaction, an auto-immune reaction is required or whether no reaction is needed. If the immune system chooses to react to the content of the intestine or what gets close to our other mucous membranes, it will always lead to an inflammation with increased TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 and high CRP, which dam- ages all our cells. Inflammation results in reddening, warmth, pain, swelling and reduced movement – in the skin’s cells too. Beneficial intestinal bacteria, collagen and the antioxidants C, E and zinc, protect against the damages of inflammation.

  The first bacteria that inhabit our mucous membranes and our intestinal system after birth, are the group of Bifidobacteria. These bacteria help to teach our immune system what is allowed to get close to us in regard to, e.g. food and micro-organisms and what the immune system needs to react to and how it should react. The four Bifidobacteria in the product also increase the formation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.

  NDS® Probiotic SkinActive® contains four different Bifido- bacteria: B. Infantis, B. Lactic, B. Bifidum and B. Breve M/13. These beneficial probiotic bacteria help to teach the immune system to know the difference between friends and enemies. What is allowed to get close to us and what needs to be held at bay. Since the Bifidobacteria are some of the first bacteria that inhabit our intestinal system after birth, and in the first childhood years, these bacteria are important for the entire inner and outer environment. In our childhood, we also have soft “baby skin”. Perhaps these Bifidobacteria have something to do with this.

  Trials with the intestinal bacteria Bifidobacterium Breve M/13, in particular, have been conducted and on the effect of protecting our skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays and the inflammation with increased TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 and high CRP, which would otherwise damage all our skin cells. This inflammation breaks down the collagen and the elasticity. The epidermis becomes thickened, dry and rough as a protection against the sun’s UV rays and the skin becomes red and warm due to the inflammation which is the result of too much sun. The UV damages lead to loss of moisture in the skin, thickening of the epidermis, increased IL-1β and cell damage as a result. An animal test, which ran over seven weeks, showed that a supplement with B.Breve M/13 pro- tected against the damages which UV rays would otherwise inflict on the skin. It is believed that the effect of the supplement with B.Breve M/13 comes via the immune effect which occurs in the intestine’s mucous membrane. This provides systemic immune reactions and B.Breve M/13 also helps to form antioxidants which protect all cells – also skin cells, against free radicals. This is also established for B. Bifidum and B. Infantis. Additionally, all Bifidobacteria in the product inhibit undesired growth of various bacteria which can also infect the skin. For example, this applies to E. Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Pantoea Agglomerans, Staphylococcus Aureus, Clostridium Difficile and Clostridium toxin formation.

  Besides collagen, vitamins C, E and zinc, NDS® Probiotic Skin- Active® also contains the four different Bifidobacteria, B. Infantis, B. Lactic, B. Bifidum and B. Breve M/13. Moreover, it contains the prebiotics (food for probiotics) in the form of FOS (fruit- oligo-saccharines), inulin, corn starch, maltodextrine and a min- eral mixture of magnesium, potassium and manganese, amylase enzymes and vanilla. All these ingredients are added to ensure an effective and viable delivery of the four Bifidobacteria on the way through the intestinal system.

  Antioxidants:

  Trials with the ingestion of the collagen peptides that are used for NDS® Probiotic SkinActive®, show that an increased anti- oxidant effect was established. The important antioxidant called Manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), was significantly increased. This is very important in order to protect our cells in the event of inflammation after too much sun, smoking and environmental poison, for example. Trials with sun-damaged skin showed a reduced amount of the inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 after supplementing with the collagen pep- tides, which are used in the NDS® Probiotic SkinActive® product. This beneficial effect is not only due to the product’s content of the mineral, zinc, and vitamins C and E, but also the nutrients in the collagen.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.