Hydroxyproline is an amino acid that is synthesized
by the body. The standard view is that because the body manufactures it, it is
not considered an essential amino acid. It is an amino acid in bone broth, as
discussed in: Amino
Acids in Bone Broth and How They Help You.
Hydroxyproline is largely found in the protein
collagen, and works with prolene and glycine to ensure the health and stability
of collagen and connective tissue, discussed in the Amino Acids article
referenced above. High levels of hydroxyproline in the urine suggest that the
body’s connective tissue is breaking down.
Collagen is the main protein of connective
tissue and is a reinforcing structure in bone and teeth. It is the most
abundant protein in animals, accounting for 25 percent of total protein. Because
collagen is a major component of healthy, young looking skin, it is used in
skin care products as a wrinkle reducer. People apply it topically, they inject
it, and now they are starting to eat it to reduce their wrinkles.
Do any of these treatments work? Dr. Kaayla Daniel summarizes her views on collagen in Food Features: Why Broth is Beautiful as follows:
“Although the textbooks don’t
come right out and say so…common sense suggests that--cartilage wise, at
least--we might very well be "what we eat."
“In fact there is solid
scientific backing for this common sense observation. Research on proline and
glycine is far from a growth industry, but a few good studies exist and serve
to clarify the essential nature of these supposedly ‘inessential’ aminos. Most
of the researchers believe that both proline and glycine should at the very
least be considered "conditionally essential" (along with arginine,
cysteine, glutamine, serine, taurine and tyrosine)3, which means
that under most conditions, the body cannot make enough of these compounds and
must get them from food. Even more interestingly, this modern research suggests
that many of the long-forgotten 19th and early 20th century studies should be
looked at anew.”
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Posted by: Life's Too Good | October 13, 2010 at 12:50 AM
If we really want to have an active and youthful look along with healthy bones and teeth, we have to instill in ourselves healthy living. Eating processed food daily is not part of the category. Raw food and dishes that are healthy in protein are great body builders. As we age, our anti body weakens. That makes us look old and weak. But with proper diet, we can prolong the aging process, including tooth loss.
Posted by: Nathan | July 13, 2011 at 03:43 PM
How long did it take before you saw a difference in your skin?
Posted by: alex gatsis | November 03, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Gosh...it has been a long time since I experienced that. I would say 4 or 5 months, but that is just going by what feels right. Unfortunately, I started blogging maybe 3 or 4 months after I started GAPS. I wish I would have started sooner. If you are just getting started, keep a journal. You will have lots of fun watching your progress!
Posted by: Laura Combs | November 03, 2011 at 10:14 PM