Elastin-F
Anti-aging for Skin, Joints, and Cardiovascular System
As we age, our elastin stores degrade in our skin and our blood vessels. This causes sagging skin and hardening of blood vessel walls. With a small dose of 75mg of Elastin-F a day, we can help slow this aging process.
What is Elastin-F?
Elastin-F is a great anti-aging ingredient that has a wide variety of benefits. Human studies show oral supplementation of Elastin-F can lead to benefits to skin health, joint health, and blood vessel health.
Elastin-F is sustainably derived from the bulbous arteriosus organ of the bonito fish. This organ has been consumed as a food dish in Japan for centuries and is safe.
Examples of Elastin in the Human Body:
Elastin in the Skin
Elastin is present in the dermis layer of skin with collagen as a main component of the supportive extracellular matrix. This small amount (2-4%) elastin provides elastic property and resiliency to skin, which keeps the skin tension. However, it is known that the elastin present in the skin decreases with aging, therefore the resiliency of the skin is lost leading to sagging skin. UV exposure over a long period of time can also be a major cause of degeneration of elastin.
Elastin in the Aorta
Since the blood ejected from the heart is received by the aorta, it requires powerful elastic resiliency. This is why elastin makes up such a large portion of the aorta, about 50% of the dry weight.
However, the elastin content decreases with age, and it is reported that Des and Ide also decrease. In diseases such as arteriosclerosis, which tend to progress with age, decrease in elastin and degeneration of the structure occur. As a result, the elastic potential of the artery decreases.
Elastin-F: A Research-backed Ingredient
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In a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 20 women in their thirties with a wrinkle in the right eye area, low blood flow rate, and low skin elasticity were given either 75mg of Elastin or a placebo per day for 4 weeks. Results showed significant increase in elasticity of skin in the Elastin group (p<0.05) and no change in the placebo group. Results also showed the Elastin group’s blood flow rate did not decrease significantly during the winter months although the placebo group showed a significant decrease, showing that elastin may help prevent the decrease in blood flow from colder temperatures. A questionnaire given to the subjects regarding skin condition also reported results showing the Elastin group saw significant improvement in dryness of face, makeup application on skin, skin elasticity, dullness of skin and fine wrinkles. (Shiratsuchi et al 2015)
In an earlier placebo-controlled double-blind trial also with 20 healthy females in their thirties with a wrinkle in the right eye area and dry and sagging skin were given a “beauty-from-within” supplement that contained collagen, chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid and also included Elastin or no Elastin in the supplement. Both groups saw improvement in texture of skin and decrease in wrinkles. The Elastin group also saw improvement in skin condition such as in the roughness and dullness of face, skin tautness, dark circles and more. A significant difference in the Elastin group compared to the placebo group was observed in “fine lines” after 8 weeks. (Nakaba et al 2007)
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In two studies, one with a high dose (360mg) and one with a low dose (75mg) subjects were given Elastin and measured for vascular age using Acceleration Plethysmography. Significant improvement in vascular aging with elastin treatment was observed starting 4 weeks (p<0.05) and an even more significant improvement was observed after 12 weeks of intake (p<0.01). (Shiratsuchi et al 2012, 2014).
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In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel 3 group comparison trial 21 healthy subjects (45-75) suffering from knee joint pain took either 75mg of Elastin or 75mg of Elastin and 1000mg of glucosamine or a Placebo. Significant improvement was observed in the Elastin group and Elastin + glucosamine group at 12 weeks compared to placebo in nearly all items related to knee condition on the JKOM questionnaire (p<0.05). An especially large effect with Elastin alone was observed in the items “squatting and standing up” and “going up and down stairs”.