Which popular remedies live up to their promise — and which don’t

Back in the day, the snake oil man would pass through town touting the wonders of some magical product that could soothe all physical problems. Years have passed since those times, and we scoff at the idea that people bought into magical potions.

And yet…

Today, there are a host of products that promise to cure all sorts of physical and emotional ills. Many of us buy these products based on word of mouth alone. Is there any scientific basis to these remedies?

Family First decided to find out

Collagen

Does collagen make skin look younger? Does it improve the quality of hair and nails?

Collagen has been a buzzword for a long time. The general gist is that if you care about aging you should stock up on collagen and put a scoop of it in your morning coffee in order to stave off the effects of time.

But is collagen the miracle it claims to be?

Maybe yes — for skin. But before examining why, let’s explore the what.

Collagen is a structural protein found in skin, nails, tendons, cartilage, and bones. As we age, our bodies decrease their collagen production, and people turn to collagen supplements to make up for the deficit. Studies have shown that people who used collagen supplements consistently for an extended period of time saw an improvement in the elasticity and firmness of their skin — wrinkles looked less noticeable. There was no effect on hair and nails.

But there’s a catch. Do you know who’s been conducting studies on collagen and sharing the data? The companies that produce collagen. Of course, they want a positive study result — it boosts their sales!

Another point: Collagen is taken orally, and this is also an issue. Some question how the collagen could survive the digestive process and provide benefits to the skin. In all likelihood, very little of it does survive, and very little gets absorbed.

If your goal is to minimize wrinkles, you’re better off investing in sun protection and topical retinoids. And if it’s specifically collagen you want, you’re better off adding it to your diet. There are foods that are collagen-rich or can stimulate the body’s production of collagen. Some options are bone broth, chicken, fish, egg whites, citrus fruits, berries, garlic, leafy greens, and legumes.

Magnesium

Can magnesium alleviate the symptoms of anxiety?

Yes, it can, but scientists don’t really know why. There seems to be a relationship between magnesium and anxiety, but our understanding of that connection is murky. More research is needed.

Meanwhile, this is what we know:

Magnesium is a mineral essential for organs, teeth, and bones. It helps regulate nutrients in the body, including calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and potassium. Magnesium can also ease anxiety and stress, and mimic the effects of some antianxiety medications.

Magnesium can regulate neurotransmitters that release different neurochemicals. It prevents the transmitters that cause anxiety from overfiring and releases the ones that blunt the effects of those anxiety-inducing neurochemicals. It also controls the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, so the cortisol can’t contribute to anxiety.

Magnesium helps muscle tissue relax. Muscle tension is a physical response to anxiety, and physical relaxation helps manage anxiety.

Because anxiety prevents a good night’s sleep, taking magnesium before bed can mean higher-quality sleep.

There are many different types of magnesium supplements, which can make it hard to choose the one that’s right for you. Consult with a health professional to determine which one is best and at what dosage.