Healthy, radiant skin and hair can be an indicator of overall health. The skin is extremely important for maintaining good health, as it is the largest organ and protects the rest of the human body from infectious agents. Skin aging is the result of many factors including environmental influences, such as years of sun exposure, the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV), smoking, air pollution, sleep deprivation and poor diet.

Prevention is the best and most effective way of dealing with the exogenous effects of skin aging. The best prevention strategy against the damaging effects of free radicals is a properly regulated lifestyle and body care, which includes caloric restriction, physical exercise, low stress and a balanced diet containing foods rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals, and possibly dietary supplements.

The effect of nutrition on skin aging has always been an interesting area of research for scientists of many disciplines and a common area of interest for people from ancient times to the present day.

As the saying goes, ‘Beauty comes from within’ and a balanced diet and supplements can support skin health.

Dietary supplements have traditionally been used to treat aging skin and skin diseases, and to improve hair growth and thickness. There are thousands of such supplements on the international market, that promise to deliver on consumers’ high expectations. A wide variety of vitamins (B, D, A, and C), proteins, minerals (selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium), antioxidants, trace elements and amino acids are usually used in these supplements, aimed at promoting the production of keratin, collagen, elastin, etc.

Fishery side streams are high in vitamins A and D, trace elements, amino acids, fatty acids and collagen and therefore could serve as a good raw material for skin and hair improvement supplements.

As a result, the EU-funded project AQUABIOPRO-FIT, using innovative methods created a rich nutritional supplement from fish side streams, which will be used in specially designed clinical trials.

The supplement and a placebo will be tested for 3 months in a double-blind study involving 100 participants, aged 30 to 60, with moderately severe problems in the appearance of their skin and in hair density.

The effectiveness of the supplement will be evaluated based on results obtained from:

a) measurements with a special device called Apopsis II Precise Analysis, which uses high-resolution digital photography to assess 10 different skin parameters like size of pores, spots, wrinkles, texture, moisture, sensitive areas and UV damage,

b) assessment of hair density and thickness of hair shaft with trichogram, and

c) evaluation of subjective mental well-being through the WHO-5 questionnaire.

By valorizing fishery side streams, the AQUABIOPRO-FIT hopes to contribute to the reduction of waste and the improvement of human health.

Dr. Zoi Georgiou

Biochemist - Clinical Chemist Ph.D

Biognosis Greece

Partner of Aqua Bio Pro fit project