Health & Beauty - page 2

Doulas provide emotional and practical support during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. According to Doula UK. While doulas are not there to change outcomes, there is growing evidence that having a birth or postnatal doula brings a number of tangible benefits, from reducing intervention rates to shortening labour and improving the condition of babies at birth. Other benefits include an increased likelihood of successful breastfeeding and lower rates of postnatal depression.

Doula support, or ‘mothering the mother’, can be vital in today’s society.  Women have supported women having babies since the beginning of time. The community surrounding a woman, their “village”, would come together to give hands-on help and emotional support. Today, we are living differently; often working longer hours, having children later and with more opportunity to live in different places. A result may be a loss of that “village”. The doula community helps women find it again.

Throughout history, women have been supported by other women during childbearing. Yet, as families begin living farther apart and as birth becomes increasingly medicalized, fewer women receive this kind of support. Because they have many other responsibilities and are usually attending more than one woman, doctors, maternity nurses — and sometimes even midwives can rarely be with a woman continuously. Fathers and partners offer support, but they too are experiencing the birth of their baby and coping with their new and evolving identities. serves.

A doula should have no judgement, their role is simply to nurture unconditionally, through care, support and love, so that birthing people can focus their energies on loving and caring for their babies and themselves. 

Labor and postpartum doulas have stepped into this vacuum a space traditionally filled by the mothers, aunts, sisters, grandparents and neighbors in our communities and their use is becoming more popular in the United States and around the world.

There is, however, a lack of understanding of the doula role and a shortage of doula support available to disadvantaged families. 

There should definitely be more community-based doulas or doula programmes.

The services doulas offer depend on their training and skills, but include: 

• Birth education

• Creating a birth plan

• Discussing and healing from previous births

• Continuous labour support

• Partner support

• What to do if you go past your due date

• Massage and other comfort measures, such as pressure points

• Suggesting positions to help ease pain

• Discussing options for pain relief

• Emotional support for the pregnancy and birth 

• Assisting with your birth environment (lighting candles, playing music in the delivery room)

• Assisting you with negotiation of your birth choices

• Photography and/or video of the labor, birth, and golden hour

• Breastfeeding help when the baby is born.

A doctor is focused on keeping the baby safe and sound, but a doula is focused only on the mother. The biggest benefit of having a doula is that you have a woman trained and experienced with labour and birth, whose sole job is to support you. A doula doesn’t also have to do anything medical or check on other patients like a doctor might. She is there for you and your needs. You might be thinking, my partner will be by my side; he’ll tend to me but keep in mind that the birth experience can be extremely emotional and surreal for him, too. He might not even know how to help you. That’s where the doula steps in. The doula provides reassurance to the partner when everything is going smoothly, and helps facilitate communication between the mother and her partner when it’s not. Doulas can also tag team with the partner to provide labor support to the mum so that the partner gets to rest when he needs to. A doula understands the importance of the birth experience, so she aims to help make sure those memories are as positive as possible.

Alison Ogier has been a Birth and Post Natal Doula since 2011.

Here, Alison outlines what a doula does.

‘Doulas work with families throughout their pregnancy journey, birth and immediate post natal period. They provide a non judgemental, evidenced based approach to the specific needs and wants of that family which includes sign posting to information on birthing choices and all the options open to them along with an unbiased collection of stats for each family to decide for themselves what is applicable to them. They provide emotional and practical support during birth by bringing a calm presence, reminding each family of their options along the way as well as hands on support such as massage, pool filling and initiating breastfeeding. 

Post natally Doulas are there to provide support as the family adjusts to the new dynamic so this might include breastfeeding support, cooking, light house work and listening as we are there in a debriefing capacity too.’

I became a Doula due to the lack of continuity of care in maternity services and wanting to provide families with an unbiased approach to their journey as the health care professionals do not always present things as a choice. My goal is simply for people to not regret any choices made as well as feel heard and positive about their birthing experience. 

What I get from it is knowing that each family I support is more educated, empowered and in tune with each other to facilitate a healthy parenting journey. They will know their choices and have the conviction to follow their instincts regardless of race, religion or socio economic circumstance.’

There can be huge benefits to having a doula. First, because they will be with you all the way through your pregnancy and labour. That means you get to know them well, which can be very reassuring – especially if your maternity service can’t provide the same continuity.

Doulas can also provide continuous support during labour and birth. Research has found that continuous support during labour and birth is beneficial for women and for their babies.

Doulas have also been shown to yield good results for vulnerable women or women who need more culturally sensitive support. So if that’s relevant to you, it might be worth seriously considering a doula as an option.

Doula UK – www.doula.org.uk

Alison Ogier – Birth and Post Natal Doula 

www.dinkydoula.co.uk

Once there was a boy called William, who looked pretty ordinary, except for a cool scar on his forehead. 

William told us about a time when he was practicing a play at school. He was meant to play a solo part the following day for the parents. That afternoon, William went to his grandparents’ house for tea. Well, poor little William did not see what was coming. Do you want to know what happened next? I’ll tell you. 

He left his shoes lying around and he accidently tripped over one and then tripped over the other one. He fell and cracked his head open. There was blood everywhere. William’s grandfather called the ambulance to take him to the hospital. In the ambulance, William passed out and woke up at the entrance to the hospital. The doctors stitched his head up and he now has a permanent scar.

Now that you know what he looks like on the outside, let me tell you about his inside, which is super and will blow your mind. 

One thing to tell you quickly, is that William is dyslexic. This means he finds school hard, but he knows it’s a huge advantage in proper life. There are seven types of dyslexics that he told us about. There are storytellers, makers, entertainers, movers, imaginers, questioners and ‘people’ people. Surprisingly, William is all of these, which makes him very special. Very few people are dyslexic and not many people are all these things in one. 

He loves to invent stories. William can create worlds in his mind in the blink of an eye. His imagination can run wild. He loves to build and he’s very good at creating. He makes people laugh and they enjoy being around him. He is always on the move and he loves making up games. He loves to ask questions like ‘Why not?’ and he is amazing at understanding how other people are feeling. 

William has left you some advice.

“Do not be afraid, dyslexics. I know how you feel and I know how you think. Don’t be scared of the world”

Did you know that there are about 40 trillion bacteria in your body, most of which are in your intestines. Most of these bacteria are good for you, especially the ones found in your gut which not only help you digest food, but which can also be good for your physical and mental health.

Did you know that there are about 40 trillion bacteria in your body, most of which are in your intestines. Most of these bacteria are good for you, especially the ones found in your gut which not only help you digest food, but which can also be good for your physical and mental health.

The signs of an unhealthy gut can often show up as problematic digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, stomach-ache, heartburn or indigestion. 

So just what should and shouldn’t you eat to keep your gut healthy? Eating a wide variety of whole, unprocessed foods, including fibre, probiotics and a range of fruit and vegetables, is an important baseline for good gut health. The three worst foods for your gut include alcohol, sugar and artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers. 

The good news is that eating certain fruits, nuts and seeds can offer health benefits for your gut. Some of these gut-friendly food products can even be eaten as snacks, which is great for when you’re feeling a little hungry between meals and want to munch on something tasty. Most of the fruits, nuts and seeds mentioned below supply healthy oils such as Omega 3 (walnuts) and are also high in protein plus essential minerals.

Walnuts are packed full of good fats, minerals and vitamins thought to support your mood and give you a glow and evidence also suggests these brain-shaped kernels are also good for your mental performance. One study found that eating a small number of walnuts every day can improve gut health. Holland & Barrett Organic Walnuts are noted for their soft, sweet, nutty taste and are a source of Biotin, Manganese and Copper. The light amber walnut pieces can be used in all kinds of cooking and baking recipes. Why not add some to salads and pasta dishes for a little crunch or put some ground walnuts in to your mincemeat when you are cooking chilli or Bolognese.

Holland & Barrett Roasted Pistachio Nuts are high in dietary fibre and perfect for on-the-go snacking. Eating pistachios may help the overall health of your gut health by keeping digestion moving. Dietary fibre usually moves through the digestive system undigested. However, some fibres work as prebiotics in the system as they’re digested by the good bacteria in your system.

Macadamia Nuts are rich in soluble fibre, which acts as a prebiotic in the gut, encouraging good bacteria to blossom there. Enjoy macadamia nuts on top of salads, sprinkled on soups or served with roast veggies, or if you want a healthy snack, try a pack of Holland & Barrett Almonds, Macadamia Nuts & Cranberry.   

Flaxseed is rich in fibre which can help prevent constipation and other digestive issues. Another bonus of flaxseed is that it keeps you feeling fuller for longer, stopping you from reaching for those unhealthy snacks. Flaxseed oil, also known as Linseed oil, is an excellent natural source of Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) which is an Omega-3 fatty acid. As the body is unable to produce them on its own, Omega-3 fatty acids are essential dietary additions. Take one or two Holland & Barrett Vegetarian Flaxseed Oil capsules daily or get into the habit of stirring two heaped dessert spoons of Linwoods Milled Flaxseed & Goji Berries into your morning bowl of porridge, cereal or muesli.

Unsalted seeds, including sunflower seeds, are also excellent sources of fibre, which aids digestion. Sunflower seeds also contain antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E to help protect cells and prevent chronic disease. Grab a bag of Holland & Barrett Stunning Sunflower Seeds and enjoy a daily handful. 

Dates have many nutritional benefits and they are high in fibre which may help prevent constipation and improve your digestive health. They are also a versatile ingredient that you can enjoy in both sweet and savoury dishes. For a refreshing dessert, peel 4 oranges and remove the white pith. Place the orange segments in a bowl along with any juices, then add some Holland & Barrett Chopped Dates, some rose syrup or rosewater and toss gently. Divide between 4 dessert bowls, scatter on mint leaves and serve – delicious!

Prunes have been part of our grandparents’ folklore where they were known as a good remedy to help with constipation. They are a source of both insoluble and soluble fibre: insoluble fibre helps keep your bowel movements regular, while soluble fibre helps to moderate digestion and absorb nutrients from your food. Aim to eat 5-6 Holland & Barrett Pitted Californian Prunes daily to boost your digestive health. 

Vegetarians and vegans sometimes experience digestive issues whey they start eating plants, but over time a new balance will become established. Cashews, pine nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and macadamia nuts are all good for gut health but are also great sources of iron for vegetarians. To add more iron into your diet, take 10ml of Floradix Formula Herbal Iron available from Holland & Barrett twice a day, approximately 30 minutes before morning and evening meals.

The summer season is associated with sun and fun. However, summer also brings with it a variety of allergy offenders; and summer allergies can be just as bad as those experienced during the spring and autumn. Common allergies during the summer include:

Insect Bites and Stings

The warm weather welcomes insects such as bees, hornets, wasps…

Most of us steer away from these buzzing creatures to avoid bites/stings. Some common symptoms that come along with an insect sting allergy are pain, swelling, redness, itching and itching at the site itself. Those who suffer from a severe reaction or anaphylaxis can also experience symptoms such as tummy upsets, tongue or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness or unconsciousness. Severe allergic reactions can occur within minutes after the sting and require immediate medical attention.  Taking precautionary measures can lessen your chances of getting stung – it is best to avoid:

• walking barefoot outdoors and wearing sweet smelling colognes, perfumes, and lotions

• eating food that has been exposed food 

• exposure to open bins where insects thrive.

Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables

Melons, peaches, nectarines, kiwi fruit, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots are just some of the fresh produce we love to enjoy during the summer months. However, for some allergy sufferers, these fruits contain similar proteins to some grass and tree pollen they are allergic to, causing the body to react the same way it would to the pollen. This condition is referred to as oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Common symptoms of OAS include itching or burning of the lips, mouth, and throat and in some cases, hives. An allergy test can help determine what a person is allergic to; it is best to seek advice from a qualified allergy specialist.

To avoid having a reaction, try opting for a cooked version of the fruit or vegetable, which will degrade the protein causing the allergy.

Mould 

Outdoor mould spores make their way through the air just as pollen does. Mould spores are ubiquitous (present everywhere) and often outnumber pollen grains in the air even when the pollen count is at its highest. Mould allergy symptoms are similar to those of pollen allergy and include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes. To reduce your exposure to outside moulds, keep doors and windows closed and remain indoors on days with high mould counts.

Grass

Warm, dry, and windy days are often when pollen counts tend to be the highest. Grass allergy symptoms present themselves in several ways: runny nose, sneezing, congestion, itchy and watery eyes and asthma are the most common. Skin rashes such as hives and welts may be present in people with more severe allergies or when in direct contact with the offending grass. Staying indoors on high pollen count days, showering and changing clothes after outside activities as well as keeping doors and windows shut are all ways you can avoid grass pollen. 

Many people can say they have a large number of friends.  However,
the likelihood is that they do not enjoy true, sincere friendships with all those individuals.

True friendships take time and work to create.  Building true friendships requires a lot of emotional give and take from both people. When formed, sincere friendships are enduring. A friend will provide unconditional love and support.   Confiding in another person without fear of judgment is liberating.  It allows us to speak without feeling the need to self-vet everything we say. How often in social situations do we monitor what we say in case we expose too much of ourselves?  We live in a society where fragilities and emotional or mental vulnerability can be seen as some kind of weakness. Talking to others can feel like a vocal dance rather than an honest discussion about how we feel. 

Friends do not want us to hide what we are experiencing – they positively encourage us to take down barriers and show who we are. How else can you truly get to know someone else if they do not expose all of themselves to you – good and not so good. Everyone’s definition of a friend or friendship is different. Perhaps it is realistic to tweak our expectations depending on the level of friendship we want and the situation where the connection developed.

Some friends become just that in a work environment. Water cooler chats, after work drinks or weekend socialising.  All this sounds familiar in the working world. Some people stay in contact once they no longer work together. Others recognise that theirs was pretty much an office friendship for the duration they worked together. This does not make their bond any less important or valid, it’s just an understanding that friendship can take different forms.

Those of us who have developed friendships since we were young will probably have journeyed together through significant moments. A mix of elation and challenging moments will bond two people in a hugely significant way. Equally, it can also put a strain on the strongest friendships. Seeing people at their most fragile is an emotional honour and them sharing your most difficult experiences creates shared moments that are never forgotten. 

The pivotal fact is like many, if not all, truly important relationships, friendships can flourish and bend a little because the foundation of it is so strong. We allow ourselves the luxury of being entirely ourselves with all the emotional shades that come with it.  Is it possible to love and care for someone if they don’t actually know who you are? Our flaws are as much a part of us as the positive aspects of our personality. If we value a person then we want to witness who they are in good and difficult times, otherwise the bond is one dimensional. If we walk away when a friend needs us – there is no genuine  depth of emotion there. Sincere friends will be there for us whilst we navigate all our life experiences – and will absolutely want to be part of joy and perhaps difficult situations.

Michael Padraig Acton is a consultant, psychological therapist (clinical and counselling psychology) systemic life coach and author with over 30 years experience. 

Regarding friendship he says ‘As social creatures, we all need friends. Providing the relationship is healthy, we benefit in so many ways.

One of the most important gifts that our dearest friends bring us is their loyalty. We can trust them with our hopes, our fears and our pain. We can tell them what is going on in our lives and know that they will keep it in confidence.

With our friends, we can benefit from a different perspective on our problems. In return, we can experience life in their shoes, helping us to become more empathic.
Our true friendships help us to grow as a person. If they are to last, we have to learn to respect our friends’ opinions and attitudes, when they differ from our own. We are all unique souls and we will all need to accommodate our differences.

Friendships are an antidote to loneliness. As described in my article, Tackling Loneliness, The 21st Century’s Biggest Killer, the cauldron of thoughts and feelings that underlie that simple word, loneliness, is driving people to addiction, depression and even death. It is important that we reach out to others, especially as we emerge from the pandemic.

When we make that step, we turn our thoughts outwards. This helps us to escape our own brooding while giving us the opportunity to give to another human being. Friendships are about both give and take and we need to learn to do both graciously.

Social media encourages us to think about friends as numbers because it is the number of active users that drives investment. If we’re not careful we can fall into the same trap of basing our self-worth on how many friends we have. Quality of friendship is far more important to human souls than quantity. Build up friendships slowly over time because not all will last the distance.

Before you invest in a friendship, make sure it is a healthy friendship and not a toxic relationship that drains you. For more information on toxic relationships and how to escape them, see my book Learning How To Leave.

Apart from that one caveat, try to value your friends equally by not comparing them. Each of your friends plays a different role in your life, bringing out different aspects of your being. Some will pep you up when you’re feeling down. Some will encourage you to take on new challenges, overcoming anxiety and procrastination. Others will be there to listen to you with no expectations. Value all of them equally for who they are and what they bring to your life.’

Michael Padraig Acton’s next book, the first in the Power of You series, is Learning How To Leave: A Practical Guide To Stepping Away From Toxic Narcissistic Relationships (paperback out July 2021). 

The pandemic and lockdown has been tough for many people but when it comes to individuals with mental illnesses such as OCD, it has been particularly challenging.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is when people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or obsessions that make them feel driven to do something over and over again.

The number of people seeking help for OCD has risen sharply since the coronavirus outbreak, mental health charities have confirmed. 

OCD LOCKDOWN IN NUMBERS 

10% Increase in demand for its helpline 

85%. Of people with the condition said it worsened in lockdown 

64%. Experienced new, intrusive thoughts due to the pandemic 

Fiona Robertson, 34, lives in West Sussex. Fiona is single and does not have any children. 

This is Fiona’s OCD story. ‘I currently live with my parents and my dog, Maisie. I don’t work at the moment, due to my mental health conditions, but I hope to be able to again in the future. I used to be a support worker in a mental health centre and I have also previously worked as a carer.  

I think I first experienced mental health problems at 11, but I was diagnosed with OCD, BDD, Anxiety and Depression in 2013, after I had a breakdown, tried to commit suicide and ended up in a psychiatric hospital. I didn’t know what OCD was at the time, but the doctor said I definitely had it as I was having severe intrusive thoughts all day every day, carrying out compulsions and sticking to strict routines. I received amazing one to one help whilst I was in the private hospital, however, as soon as I was transferred back to the NHS, I was only offered group therapy. For me personally, group therapy was no good. I felt ashamed and frightened due to the nature of my intrusive thoughts and the last thing I wanted to do was share them with a group of people. I was also assigned a psychiatrist, but I hardly ever got to see him and when I did, my appointments were always very brief. He also refused to let me try different medications.  

Things turned around for me during one trip to A&E, where I was seen by a fantastic mental health nurse. She actively listened to me and genuinely wanted to help. She put me in touch with a private therapy centre and I started seeing a wonderful CBT therapist. I also started seeing a private psychiatrist, who I still see now. Luckily my parents are able to pay for my treatment, but it makes me very sad that not everybody has this option as high-quality mental health care should be available to all.     

OCD has taken a huge toll on me and those around me. I go through periods of stability, but then something small can send me into a very dark place again. I am triggered by lots of things, I have to be careful what I watch on the TV and I don’t have the internet on my phone. I have strict routines and can’t do things spontaneously. I struggle just getting out of the house at times and I can’t cope in busy or noisy places. I don’t go to bars, clubs or similar places as I just feel too panicky. Around this time of year, I tend to stay in even more than usual, as I don’t like showing my body due to my BDD and the heat really raises my anxiety. I’ve had periods where I’ve been able to work and periods of being on disability benefits. 

During lockdown, my OCD got much worse. I was obsessed with cleaning everything and bleaching the shopping etc. I needed to know where my parents were going every time they went out. I was terrified they were going to die. I could only manage to leave the house once a week, to walk in the countryside, away from everybody. I then had a breakdown in August 2020 and also witnessed a crime, which sent me into meltdown. I started seeing the same private therapist again regularly and my medication was increased and since then, I have been in a more stable place luckily. 

I do worry about coming out of lockdown and things returning to ‘normal.’ Although some parts of lockdown were really challenging, such as not being able to see family and friends and lacking routine, I liked how quiet and peaceful it was everywhere and when I did have to use public transport, the trains were empty, which they never usually are! I also felt less alone in a way, as everyone was experiencing similar concerns to the ones I have, such as making sure their hands were always clean, staying indoors, etc. I really dislike how busy it is everywhere, now that lockdown is ending and during the summer months. It feels very overwhelming and when I’m outside, I quite often feel like running and hiding. It also seems like people aren’t adhering to the social distancing rules nearly as much now either, which concerns me. I also worry we will have to keep having lockdowns in the future.

Even though I believe I will always have these conditions, I am learning different techniques to help me to cope better, especially when I am triggered by something. I also think that having been to such low places, helps me to appreciate things more. I am very grateful for my family and friends and I practice mindfulness and enjoy the simple things in life. Despite my problems, I do feel quite positive about my future. I have quite a few projects on the go, which really keeps my mind distracted and gives me something to focus on. I thoroughly enjoy being a media volunteer for mental health charities, I find it very rewarding. I’m a singer in a band called OCNA and I also volunteer at a college for people with learning disabilities. When you are in a bad place, it’s impossible to believe that things will get better, but you just have to hang in there and you can get through it.’

The Samaritans: Free Tel number 116 123 

OCD Action charity 

ocdaction.org.uk / 0300 636 5478

‘Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc.),
environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication.’ 

(WHO 1998)

The COVID-19 global pandemic has been challenging in a plethora of ways. As we steer toward the ‘new normal’ taking responsibility for our own health and well-being is crucial. Self-care relates to taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Most people are reasonably healthy as children. As we get older however, we are faced with multiple choices and risks in the form of lifestyle challenges such as food, alcohol, and tobacco. 

Unfortunately, the common result of some of these choices (e.g. obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol abuse and unhealthy diets) are the modern epidemics we see; heart attacks, strokes, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and other ‘non-communicable diseases.’

It is, however, possible to reduce our risk of these diseases by adjusting our lifestyles and focusing on self-care.

There is a growing realisation that self-care in the home and community environment is the foundation for people to manage life-long health. Initiatives in ‘community healthcare’ and ‘health promotion’ are aspects of the new approach.

There are many different entry points into self-care and one healthy behaviour can lead on to others, drawing people in to healthier lifestyles overall. For example:

a smoker who manages to quit smoking is more likely to start exercising.

brushing and flossing teeth regularly will reduce periodontal (gum) disease – this can also slow the progression of atherosclerosis, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

older people can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 60% by maintaining mental acuity through crossword puzzles 

Caring for yourself also calls for the creation of your own routine, one that works for you! Finding the time to relax – taking just 10 minutes of your day to switch off with a short meditation can be beneficial.

Activities/hobbies such as painting, dancing, singing, or anything that helps you focus on a particular object, thought, or activity, will steer you toward achieving a clearer state of mind. 

The International Self-Care Foundation  has developed a framework for self-care around seven ‘pillars’ or ‘domains’…

For more information on health and healthy
lifestyles visit:

• www.healthygibraltar.org

• www.covidfit.gi

• www.isfglobal.org

The Benefits of taking Collagen Supplements

Collagen is one of the buzzwords in the health and beauty world at the moment. Although you have most probably heard about collagen, you may be wondering what it is, how to take it and what it can do for you. The good news is that taking collagen is associated with a number of health benefits and very few known risks.

What is collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein that’s found throughout our body, including our tendons, skin, muscles and ligaments. Have you noticed that your skin is losing its elasticity, that you are developing wrinkles, that you have stiff tendons and ligaments, less flexibility and reduced muscle mass and increased weakness? These may be signs that your collagen levels are depleting. 

Most collagen is naturally found in bones and the connective tissue of fish and animals, which means that vegans and vegetarians can struggle to add it to their diets and supplements.

Back in the day, the most common way of increasing your collagen levels was to eat some pork skin or bone broth, which you can still do, but in recent years a new way of increasing your collagen intake has emerged that’s become increasingly popular, and it involves taking collagen in supplement form. There are different options to choose from, whether that is collagen powder which you mix into a glass of water or juice, a smoothie or cereal. Alternatively, you can take a collagen tablet instead. In terms of topical application, there are collagen creams you can put on your skin too.

Collagen supplements may improve skin health by reducing wrinkles and dryness and they may also help increase muscle mass, prevent bone loss, and relieve joint pain.

There are quite a few different options available, so here are a few for you to choose from that are available from Holland & Barrett:

Oral Supplements:

Vitabiotics Jointace Collagen Tablets: Jointace Collagen has been designed for those with an active life, in sport or in later life. It provides a high-grade collagen that’s been hydrolysed to help improve absorption. Take two tablets a day with a main meal. Swallow with a full glass of water or a cold drink. Do not take them with tea or coffee, as this may cause the tablets to disintegrate too early.

Holland & Barrett Collagen 1000mg 90 tablets: H&B Collagen 1000mg tablets contain Vitamin C, which contributes to collagen formation for the normal function of skin. These fish-free tablets should be taken daily, preferably with meals (between three to five tablets a day).

Collagen Creamers:

Dose & Co is a relatively new Collagen brand that is making headlines. Why? Because it tastes good and reviews suggest that it gives great skin plumping and glossy hair results. 

Dose & Co Dairy Collagen Creamer – Vanilla: This premium vanilla-flavoured bovine collagen powder contains 10g of collagen per serving. Blend a scoop into coffee, smoothies, tea and milk to nourish your body with pure collagen, all while giving your drinks a lush, creamy texture and naturally sweet taste.

Dose & Co Collagen Peptides – Unflavoured: Perfect for coffee, smoothies and milk, this bovine collagen powder provides 10g of collagen peptides per serving. The best thing about it? You get all the benefits of pure collagen with none of the unwanted tastes!

Collagen Powders:

Bioglan Beauty Collagen Powder 151g: This is a high strength Collagen supplement, specially formulated with readily absorbed hydrolysed Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid to help support the maintenance of healthy looking hair, skin & nails. It completely dissolves in water, smoothies, shakes and soups, making it easy and convenient to boost your daily Collagen levels within the foods we eat. Bioglan uses Type I Collagen, which is the most abundant form of Collagen found in the body and the type found in hair, skin and nails.

Marine Collagen:

Marine collagen is sourced from fish skin, bones and scales. It’s thought to be one of the best ways to consume collagen and is composed of almost entirely type 1 collagen – the most common collagen found in the human body. It’s also handy for all you pescatarians out there or those who don’t eat beef /red meat.

Pretty Gorgeous Marine Collagen Unflavoured Powder 1 Month Supply 150g: Mix in with a smoothie, juice, water or cereal. Using a powder for your collagen boost is much easier than taking it in capsule form if you want to mix it in as it would mean splitting a capsule open which is both messy and wasteful, and you would lose a lot of the product in the process.

Collagen Beauty Creams

Q&A Natural Skincare Collagen Face Cream 50g: This cream contains a collagen boosting active derived from seaweed, helping to provide collagen to support hydration. Assisted by magnesium PCA and lactic acid, it helps combat free radicals whilst supporting the peptide technology. Apply evenly to clean skin. Can be used as a day or night cream.

Vitaskin Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Night Cream: This hydrating collagen boosting night cream helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains high levels of Vitamin C and omega oils that recharge skin overnight for a youthful and healthy glow. Apply as the final step in your skincare routine. This cream is 99% natural and 100% vegan. 

As we get older, we all want to feel good and look good and Collagen can help to maintain joints, muscles and skin naturally.