How can we understand & evaluate Anti-Aging Products?
Aging affects us all…our bodies…and our minds…
How can we understand and evaluate Anti-Aging Products?
Let’s face it together: as we age, so do our bodies. We go
through changes that affect the way we look, the way we think, and, at times,
the way we behave. No one wants to wake up in the morning and see more fine
lines. Or perhaps wake up, look in the mirror, and where we once saw those fine
lines, we can no longer see them because everything is a little harder to see
nowadays. Maybe you are starting to forget little things, like where you sat
the mail when you brought it in or if you turned off the coffee pot this
morning. Change can be hard. It creates a sense of loss that sometimes is hard
to handle. How do we deal with it? Is there any hope?
Well…if you take a moment and look at the world of
advertising…you might think there is nothing but hope…or you might feel completely
overwhelmed by all the options. There are so many products and services available,
all claiming to slow down, stop, or reverse all the signs of aging!
How can this be true? How do you know who to trust, which
product to trust, and whether it is worth investing your time, your money, and your
faith in these people and or products?
Together, let’s create a road map to navigate through this
new territory!
Destination: The Land of Product Claim Evaluation
Turn 1: Is it REALLY Effective?
Any time a claim is made, we must ask ourselves if there is
real evidence behind this claim.
Just because someone says something works, does it?
Make sure you are taking the time to look to reputable
sources, not just Google or Wikipedia.
Turn 2: Is it Safe?
We have all heard it said…” If your friend jumped off the
bridge, would you jump too?”
Take the time to investigate. Is this safe? What are the
risks or side effects?
There are consumer advocacy websites available – use them!
https://www.consumer-action.org/links/
www.dsld.nlm.nih.gov/dsld/index.jsp
(Touhy & Jett, 2019)
Turn 3: Who is regulating this stuff?
Make sure the products you are using are regulated by the
proper governmental agencies.
Products that have been regulated by agencies such as the
FDA have been tested thoroughly before being released to the public for their safety
and efficacy (See Turn 1 & 2!)
Turn 4: She said it works VS. She tested it out.
I heard their food was great, or I ate there last night, and
it was amazing…
It is important to take the time to not just read the
testimonials – people will say anything for money!
But to actually find out what the researchers have to say
about a product!
You can have so much more confidence in a product when it
has truly been tried, tested, and proven to be effective.
Don’t let your emotions get the best of you – they will use paid
“personal” testimonies to pull at your heartstrings…don’t fall for it!
Let’s Use This Road Map Together and Put A Product To The Test:
Destination:
“The Best Collagen for Healthy
Aging”
This product claims to: "Promote glowing skin, healthy hair, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles to help combat the visible signs of aging."
Turn 1: Is it REALLY effective?
Studies have shown that intake of just 3 g of collagen per
day over the course of just 6 weeks can, in fact, improve overall skin elasticity
(Sangsuwan & Asawanonda, 2020). This supplement provides 13 g of collagen
peptides per dose (NIH, 2024).
Turn 2: Is it Safe?
Because collagen powders are NOT regulated by the FDA, we must
be aware that they could contain heavy metals or toxins that could be harmful,
and we would never know it (Underferth, 2021). We also must consider that while there are
studies out there on these supplements, who paid for those studies? Scientific
industries or sales companies?
Turn 3: Who is Regulating this stuff?
Here lies the biggest problem with this miracle supplement…it
is not regulated!
Because it is not regulated the purity of the supplement is
not guaranteed. The label says it contains 13 g of collagen peptides per dose,
but does it?
Turn 4: She said it works VS. She tested it out.
One review from a customer who was paid for their review
said:
"It didn't take long to see the difference in my face. It really helped hydrate my skin. I did not mind the taste. Great product." - Jo (Amazon Customer Review)
Meanwhile, a Dietician who works with MD Anderson Cancer Centers reports:
"There is no reason to believe that taking a supplement works better than healthy eating." - Lindsey Wohlford (Underfeth, 2021b)
As a Registered Nurse, here is my input on this product:
- Studies have shown that collagen can be effective, but there are not many
scientific studies on this, only studies completed by the companies trying
to sell their products. So, we must decide whether we want to try it for
ourselves.
- This means we must
choose to be critical thinkers and evaluate ourselves. Is it worth the
hype? Most of these collagen supplements are $50-100 for one container and
are not returnable once opened. So, we have to decide if we want to make
the investment in something that may or may not prove effective for you.
- I completely understand;
none of us want to wake up one day and look in the mirror and ask
ourselves who is that old person staring back at me? We must not fall prey
to the “standards” of the media; rather, we must embrace who we have
become. It is okay to want to stay young and healthy, but don’t feel
pressured by advertising to take out a second mortgage to pay for these
anti-aging supplements.
- We can do so many things to help our bodies age gracefully
without seeking chemical supplementation. We can make sure we are eating a
healthy diet, exercising regularly within our own limitations, using
regular skincare routines, including sunscreen to protect our skin from
the environment and premature aging, and finally, working to keep our mind
sharp – playing games, doing puzzles, engaging those neurons!
As I close this
blog today, I would like to say that while there are many anti-aging products
out there, and they promise miracle results for everyone…we must decide for
ourselves what is best for us. Use caution when trying a new product or
spending money on a new health plan. It is okay to be a little skeptical; that
means you are thinking about what you put into your body, which is a great
first step! Ask healthcare professionals their opinions, seek out reliable sources,
and go for first-hand testing results rather than a paid advertisement. It is
possible to age gracefully, and while what you consider aging gracefully might
look a little different than what I think it does, it is possible when you set
out to be the best you that you can be!
References:
Amazon.com: Customer reviews: THORNE
Collagen Plus - Collagen Peptides Powder with Nicotinamide Riboside and
Clinically Studied Ingredients for Skin Texture and Moisture - Healthy Skin,
Hair, and Nails - 17.5 Oz - 30 Servings. (n.d.). https://www.amazon.com/Thorne-Collagen-Peptides-Nicotinamide-Riboside/product-reviews/B09BT31TW2/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews
NIH. (2024, April). Dietary
Supplement Label Database. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary
Supplements. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from https://dsld.od.nih.gov/label/270769
Sangsuwan, W., &
Asawanonda, P. (2020). Four-weeks daily intake of oral collagen hydrolysate
results in improved skin elasticity, especially in sun-exposed areas: a
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of
Dermatological Treatment, 32(8), 991–996. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1725412
Touhy, T. A., & Jett, K.
F. (2019). Ebersole and Hess’ toward healthy aging: Human Needs and Nursing
Response. Mosby.
Underferth, D. (2021a, July
1). Is collagen good for you? MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/should-i-take-a-collagen-supplement.h00-159462423.html
Underferth, D. (2021b, July
1). Is collagen good for you? MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/should-i-take-a-collagen-supplement.h00-159462423.html
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