I don't usually write reviews, but I am not just pleasantly surprised, I'm astonished at the difference collagen has made to my appearance and skin health.
Some background: I healed myself from an autoimmune disease (Grave's disease) through optimal nutrition, including the use of Time Health supplements. Now I'm on a personal quest to be my best self by optimising my diet and lifestyle. I determined I wanted to improve the quality of my skin and use high-quality nutrition and supplements to achieve that goal. Time Health supplements work well for me.
Like my mother, I have suffered from very dry skin all my life. I assumed this to be genetic, as no amount of moisturising, body brushing, or good, healthy food had any effect. I'm 61, and in the past 2 years I have developed a real aversion to my stringy 'turkey neck", plenty of overdosing of sun (I lived in Italy and now France) meant my arms and shoulders had age spots and areas of no pigmentation (they stayed white despite my being quite suntanned). Recently I've developed deep, saggy grooves from nose to mouth, and my fine, dry, facial skin was thinning alarmingly with lots of longitudinal fine lines, like crepe paper, when I smiled. My skin was starting to let me down and age me before my time.
I did some research into collagen, found it to be safe (no horrible side effects), and then opted for both the Time Health Collagen Peptides Powder (bovine source of collagen, types I and III) and a bag of Marine Collagen (fish base, type I). Why both? Because I had no idea which to buy, I decided to use both in tandem. Type I collagen provides the structure for plump, hydrated skin, healthy bones, connective tissue, teeth - besides it is a peptide powder which means the collagen has been "hydrolyzed" or broken down into shorter chains of protein, more easily digested (and I know as we age, people tend not to absorb nutrients so well). I opted for the Marine Collagen because I'm not a great eater of fish skin and bones (primary source of fish collagen), I meticulously remove the skin from salmon and sardines before eating - though I'm now considering being less wimpy as the collagen does me such good!
How I take it: I put a nice helping of seasonal fruit (currently raspberries from the garden) in the blender along with a little water, and a rounded teaspoon of both Collagen Peptide powder and Marine Collagen. To boost the effect of the collagen I add two teaspoons of a Time Health powdered fruit (New Zealand blackcurrant powder) for extra polyphenols, antioxidants and vitamin C. I pour this into a dessert dish, add a tablespoon of creme fraiche - seriously delicious. Definitely no taste of bovine or fish at all, absolutely neutral in taste and smell. Excellent also are those frozen bags of fruits rouges, blended straight from the freezer, they turn into an iced sorbet.
Now for my observations.
* After 3 days my skin was much more moisturised. Visible result in 3 days!!!! I haven't used any moisturiser in 2 months now, as I wanted to be sure it was the collagen effect. I've taken Collagen daily through June, July and August and my face honestly is plump, dewy, the longitudinal lines from dry taut skin have gone. Wrinkles are less visible. NOTHING I have ever done has made such a clear, visible difference. My face glows.
* Sun spots and areas of no pigment on face, arms and shoulders are improving week on week. 12 weeks later I have no white spots left, and some 'attractive' freckles remain. Sun-burnt, leathery skin due to decades of abuse is sloughing off and being replaced with skin that looks 30 years younger.
* I'm a high-anxiety type and sleep often eludes me. My sleep has improved quite a bit, not perfect but better. I also take a 100mg L-Tryptophan tablet as I read Collagen has most amino acids except Tryptophan, and this combination really gives me more hours of sleep (I still have wakeful nights, just far fewer). Apparently Collagen contains Glutamine which promotes a healthier stress response, restful sleep and better cognitive function - true in my case.
* My hands were "born old" as my mother said. Thin, papery skin, age spots, I really had the hands of a 70 year old at age 45. Now they are vastly improved, look moist and smoother, though the fine lines are still visible. Apparently Collagen is beneficial for nails and hair, but I have not had any issues with mine, however my toenails are growing faster and look smoother and healthier.
* Due to the after-effects of Grave's disease and Thyroid Eye Disease, my eyelids are puffy from scar tissue and I often have dry eyes. I believe the scar tissue is now reducing and my eyes are less tired/dry.
When friends comment on how well I'm looking, I share my experiences, so I imagine Time Health will be getting quite a few orders via people I know.