BeBrighter's Highlights

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Environmental factors, stress, and aging may induce irreversible and reversible changes in the structural components of the human body, causing visible signs of aging such as increased dryness and wrinkle formation, weakness and fatigue, hair thinning and fragile nails, joint discomfort, and slow movement. Studies have shown that the reduction of collagen synthesis can be reversed and compensated by orally administered collagen, which can reach the deep layer of skin, bloodstream, and tissues.

Collagen supplementation has been extensively studied across various disease areas, showing strong evidence for its therapeutic benefits in reducing the signs of skin aging and improving skin elasticity and hydration, wound healing, reducing cellulite appearance, improving nail and hair health, post-exercise body composition and strength, managing osteoarthritis (OA) pain and function, and type 2 diabetes (T2D), Promising results have also observed for conditions such as osteoporosis, hypertension, sarcopenia, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tendinopathy, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Its mechanisms of action include structural remodeling in skin and bones, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and reducing lipotoxicity. Collagen is declared safe by the European Food Safety Authority and is generally regarded as safe by the US FDA. Lack of research on collagen supplementation during pregnancy, advised against use in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Reference:  Steele, C. (2022) Collagen: a review of clinical use and efficacy. Nutr Med J. 2022 Jul; 1 (2): xxx 

By: Pharmacist Abdulellah Omar

Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide derived from the deacetylation of chitin, commonly found in shrimp and crab shells. It is known for its cholesterol-lowering effects, as it binds to dietary cholesterol, reducing its absorption. Additionally, chitosan has antioxidant properties. It also shows potential in regulating adipokine secretion and inhibiting fat cell formation and reduction of BMI.

Reference: Bonetti G, Herbst KL, Donato K, Dhuli K, Kiani AK, Aquilanti B, Velluti V, Matera G, Iaconelli A, Bertelli M. Dietary supplements for obesity. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022 Oct 17;63(2 Suppl 3):E160-E168. doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2757. PMID: 36479472; PMCID: PMC9710396. 

By: Pharmacist Abdulellah Omar

Green tea (GT), made from the leaves of *Camellia sinensis*, has a long history of medicinal use and is studied for its health benefits, including weight reduction, metabolic syndrome (MetS) improvement, and cardiovascular protection. The key bioactive compounds in GT, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and caffeine, contribute to its effectiveness in inhibiting enzymes related to fat and carbohydrate digestion, thus aiding in reduced fat and carbohydrate absorption.

GT may also influence gut microbiota, promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which support weight loss by regulating fat metabolism. While many studies confirm GT's role in weight reduction, particularly with prolonged consumption of EGCG and caffeine, some research presents mixed results, with variations based on factors such as ethnicity, baseline caffeine intake, and trial duration.

Reference: Bonetti G, Herbst KL, Donato K, Dhuli K, Kiani AK, Aquilanti B, Velluti V, Matera G, Iaconelli A, Bertelli M. Dietary supplements for obesity. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022 Oct 17;63(2 Suppl 3):E160-E168. doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2757. PMID: 36479472; PMCID: PMC9710396. 

By: Pharmacist Abdulellah Omar