Role of proteins in anti-aging products? Which solvents extract the proteins? When proteins are denatured?
Article at a Glance
·Proteins are macronutrients making 10 to 15% of energy needs. ·Proteins are made up of amino acids. ·Proteins have a significant role in the skincare and anti-aging process like they produce collagen and cell signaling pathways. ·Proteins are destroyed if they are extracted through alcohol because alcohol deteriorates the proteins by denaturation. ·We at Anti-Aging Extracts use water or glycerin or a mixture of both for extraction of herbal extracts. |
Proteins are the complex structures which are made up of many smaller units called amino acids. These are linked together in a chemical bond forming a long chain. Some of these amino acids are called essential, means they are crucial for life but cannot be produced by the human body and must be gained through one’s diet. Proteins are a type of macronutrient, which, along with carbohydrates and lipids, are needed by the body to function normally. Protein generally makes up 10% to 15% of the body’s energy needs. Protein can be found in meat, eggs, pulses, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
Proteins have a significant role in skincare. The reason why peptides (proteins) are used in anti-aging skincare products is due to their ability to increase collagen production. Collagen is the protein that gives skin a firm, smooth, youthful appearance. Natural and environmental factors, like sun exposure and free radicals, cause collagen to degrade over time. That will result in lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Therefore, since peptides can increase collagen production, they are able to minimize these signs of aging. While many clinical studies have proven this to be true, the mechanism(s) by which peptides accomplish this is still unclear. One theory suggests that peptides work through signaling. Cells can communicate with each other to coordinate certain actions, which is known as “cell-signaling”. Peptides can mimic certain cell-signaling processes. Specifically, peptides that are used in skincare products mimic the same peptides that you would find when collagen is broken down. According to research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), when collagen is degraded, it produces peptides that signal skin cells to generate more collagen. Synthetic peptides have been developed that can mimic these naturally occurring peptides, thus causing your skin to warn that collagen is deteriorating, and thus in result, there is the production of peptides.
We at Anti-Aging Extracts use different botanical herbs which contains significant levels of proteins responsible for the skincare. Proteins are very sensitive bioactive compounds which are destroyed either by the excessive heat of extraction or by denaturation caused by certain organic solvents such as alcohol. We use the water and glycerin mixture as the solvents which are entirely inert, non-toxic, non-irritant and not harmful for the value-added constituents of our extracts. Besides, we don’t use the tincture method of extraction, which employs excessive heat that can damage the proteins of our extracts.
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