Glossary

❯ Antioxidant

A substance that reduces damage caused by oxidation agents such as free radicals. Well-known antioxidants include enzymes and other substances, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and many sulphur containing substances.

❯ Bioavailability

The proportion of a nutrient or a component of a dietary supplement that is absorbed in its unaltered form once ingested.

❯ Cartilage

A fibrous, elastic connective tissue that is a major constituent of various parts of the adult body. This includes joints, outer ear, and larynx; any firm and or rubbery cartilage tissue that cushions bones at the joints.

❯ Collagen

The principal fibrous protein found in skin, tendons, cartilage, bone, and connective tissue. Collagen is an essential part of the framework of our various body tissues.

❯ Connective Tissue

A material made up of fibers, which forms a framework and support structure for body tissues and organs. Connective tissue surrounds many organs. Cartilage is a specialized form of connective tissue.

❯ Dermal Matrix (or Extracellular Matrix, ECM)

The largest component of normal skin: a gel-like substance surrounding the cells that it produces. The ECM is composed of a variety of polysaccharides (most notably Hyaluronic Acid), water, and collagen proteins, which gives skin shape and other remarkable properties.

❯ Free Radicals

Chemical entities that are unstable and highly reactive. Free radicals can damage cells in human tissue and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.

❯ Hyaluronic Acid

A natural biopolymer; polysaccharide. It plays a significant role in different cellular functions, such as cell proliferation and nutrition. In the human body Hyaluronic Acid is located mainly in skin dermis, joints, cartilage tissue, and extracellular matrix. Learn more >

❯ Immunomodulation

An adjustment of the immune response to a desired level, as in immunopotentiation, immunosuppression, or induction of immunologic tolerance.

❯ Inflammatory Reactions

A natural body response which occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or any other cause.

❯ Skin Derma (Dermis)

A second layer of skin under epidermis. The dermis is formed by three major types of cells - fibroblasts, macrophages, and adipocytes. The cells are surrounded by the extracellular matrix which is composed of glycosaminoglycans (mostly Hyaluronic Acid) and the proteins collagen and elastin. The dermis also contains hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands, and lymphatic and blood vessels.