Naticol Fish Collagen Ingredient Reduces Signs of Skin Aging at a Low Dose, New Study Suggests

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A new study¹ published in the Juniper Online Journal of Case Studies found that a low dose of a type I fish collagen peptide ingredient, marketed as Naticol (Weishardt International; Graulhet, France), may reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dry skin in mature women. Results from the study indicate that even a low 2.5-g dosage of Naticol, with or without silicon, may visibly reduce signs of aging in skin. According to AIDP, Naticol’s U.S. distributor, the ingredient is now available in a 2.5-g formulation.

AIDP stated in a press release that type I collagen is a key protein that accounts for more than 75% of the protein found in connective tissues and skin. The protein in connective tissues plays an important role in helping to maintain skin tone, suppleness, and elasticity. However, as skin ages, collagen synthesis decreases by roughly 1.5% each year after the age of 25. By the age of 45, the company adds, collagen levels may be reduced by as much as 30%.

With this in mind, researchers sought to assess the antiaging skin-health potential of a low dose of specific fish collagen peptides in mature women. According to the study authors, there were two key reasons for examining the effect of a lower dose of fish collagen peptides on skin health. The first reason is that gummies, which are an increasingly popular delivery format for collagen, cannot be formulated with higher dosages of collagen peptides (no more than 0.5 g-0.8 g), they say.

The second reason, they add, is that prior to the current study, only two other clinical studies have investigated low-dose collagen peptide effects on skin health, and, in particular, “type I fish collagen peptides associated with silicon.”

The current double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study included 57 mature women. Over a 12-week study period, researchers supplemented the participants with a daily dosage of either 2.5 g Naticol, Naticol plus silicon, or the equivalent dosage of a maltodextrin placebo. At baseline, week 8, and week 12, researchers analyzed subject’s facial skin and dominant forearms for skin elasticity, using the cutometer SEM (Courage and Kazhaka, Germany); skin hydration, using the corneometer CM 825 (Courage & Khazaka, Germany); skin thickness, using the Dermascan C (Cortex technology, Denmark); and skin color, via the Chromameter CR 400 (Konica-Minolta, Japan). The researchers also evaluated subjects’ facial wrinkles, using the Bazin-Doublet’s atlas; and skin radiance and complexion homogeneity, both of which were assessed via a visual analogue scale. Finally, the participants were instructed to complete a questionnaire at the end of the study in order to evaluate the their satisfaction with the appearance of wrinkles, tone, firmness, brightness, and hydration.

By the end of the study period, both the Naticol and the Naticol-plus-silicon groups exhibited significant improvements in skin elasticity and firmness, while no significant improvements in elasticity and firmness were observed in the control group. Facial skin thickness and brightness likewise increased significantly in both the Naticol and Naticol plus silicon groups. By week 12, both Naticol groups also exhibited reduced appearance of wrinkles (-16.5%) compared to baseline measurements. The appearance of crow’s feet wrinkles, specifically, decreased in 74% and 60% of the subjects in the Naticol and the Naticol plus silicon groups, respectively. In addition, subjects in both Naticol groups reported brighter, more hydrated facial skin in the self-questionnaire by week 12.

“As more people are living longer, the need for science-proven nutritional supplementation to support healthy aging is continuing to grow,” said Mark Thurston, president, AIDP, in a press statement. “People want to stay active into their 70s and 80s, and at the same time are concerned with appearance and using natural supplements to maintain healthy skin, joints, bones and more. Marine-based collagen has been shown to support both joint health and skin care. As AIDP is a science-based company, we are enthusiastic about the ongoing studies to assess and reassess how to obtain the maximum benefits of these ingredients.”

Also read: 

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Ingestible Collagen May Keep Facial Skin Looking Young

References:

1. Duteil L et al., “Effect of low dose type I fish collagen peptides combined or not with silicon on skin aging signs in mature women,” Juniper Online Journal of Case Studies. Published online March 23, 2018.