Collagen has been a vital in my diet ever since my transplant – I wish I could say for longer, but I never appreciated the benefits until I really needed it. And boy oh boy did I see the results!
It helped my skin get firmer & my stretchmarks to fade; my hair & nails have grown back stronger & healthier; & it has really made a big difference to my tummy issues thanks to all the medication that I am on. If you haven’t yet tried this for yourself, you need to do yourself a favour & go buy a tub right now!
Your name: Licia Tavares (Lucy)
Business name: O Nutricia
Social media handles: Instagram; Facebook; Website & Email: nutricia@mweb.co.za
Tell me a bit more about what you do:
A bit about me – I am a qualified Holistic health practitioner, having studied at the Institute of Natural Health in 2011 after my father passed away in 2010 from Leukaemia. I am a passionate person and believe that my passion is evident is all areas of my life. Not only am I a passionate foodie, I love music and dancing and anything that has the ability to touch one’s soul. But my passion is not limited to mere participation and I believe it shines through most when I interact with others. I believe that my purpose is and has always been to be around people, help them and guide them in all areas of life whether it be health and beauty or just spiritual wellbeing. I am most content when I helps others and this is what drives my passion every day.
My passion to help others was evident from a young age. Even in high school I was helping others. My desire to look after my single mother and younger brother motivated me to make the best of the situation and not only did I work in the retail industry for Clicks, I also embarked on a number of ventures in order to ensure the wellbeing of my family – working as a waitress and selling Tupperware were some of the things I did. My dream has always been to own my own business and determine my own destiny and so, after years of exercising my creative skill by making cakes on a part-time basis, I took the plunge and started Lucy’s Cake creations in 2006 on a full time basis, which is still operational today with a few changes of course.
As is evident, the years have been anything but stress free and this took a strain on my health and a number of health issues- from intense vertigo, muscle pains, rheumatic symptoms, tendinitis (baker’s elbow from repetitive overuse of the same muscles due to years of baking) extreme fatigue, hair loss and plantar fasciitis caused by dancing (teacher Belly Dancing and Zumba) – emanated from years of stress. I then made the decision to take better care of my body, both mentally and physically. After a visit the GP I embarked on a journey to better health- I started gym, initially changed to Low GI lifestyle (including the Banting method) and now undertake gluten free and sugar free baking both for myself and clients.
In July 2014 I launched O Nutricia Banting Products with the primary focus being the distribution of hydrolysed collagen peptides. Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides essential amino-acids required by the body and in the same quantity utilised by the body. Because gelatine is hydrolysed to peptides (smaller particles) they can easily pass through stomach wall, avoiding stomach acid degradation which often destroys much of the proteins in food. The bioavailability is the best. I myself have been consuming hydrolysed collagen peptides and have seen a vast improvement in my health- my hair, nails and skin have vastly improved. Some aches and pains I have experienced have diminished and the conditioning and health my hair has vastly improved. Not only do I have many “new hairs” growing all around the scalp, hair shedding has been vastly reduced and my hair is now longer and stronger. My nails have also seen a positive response and my skin has better hydration, less prominent lines and it much more firmer.
Snapshot of the years
Finished matric 1994 – started full time employment as a Cosmetician at Clicks 1995 and eventually promoted to Regional Cosmetic Manager.
2003-2004 – promoted to Academy trainer National qualification Framework.
2005 – Started Lucy’s Cake Creations.
2006 – Started working at Virgin Active as a Belly Dancing Teacher.
2009 – Became a Zumba Instructor.
2011- Institute natural health:
· Pathology
· Anatomy and physiology
· Pharmacology
· Essential oils
· Zone therapy – reflexology
· Aromatherapy
· Nutritional and lifestyle coaching
2012 – Institute of natural health
· Baby massage
· Manual lymphatic drainage
· Pregnancy natural therapies
· Iridology
2012 – Translife Centre
· Sclerology
· Iridology
2013 –
· Signs and symptoms of disease
· Su jok therapy
2014 – started baking Paleo baked goods
Why should people be supplementing collagen: Collagen powder can help you meet higher needs due to disease, injury, sports, skin conditions, or appetite loss. It’s crucial to buy a clean product with no artificial ingredients added. Your dosage should provide you with 10000mg of pure collagen hydrolysed peptides like O Nutricia.
What makes your collagen different to others: About O Nutricia Collagen Peptides:
· O Nutricia collagen was established 2013. We have been nitrifying lives for 5 years.
· Nutricia Collagen peptides is 100% Bovine, no porcine
· Best Value collagen in SA R380 for 500g tub Available in capsule form, collagen plus Vitamin C. it is best to take both products as Vit C Is the synergistic partner to collagen. It activates the collagen for better absorption.
· No nasties, no wheat, no gluten, no soya, no flavourants , no colourants, no fake sugars
· It’s recommended to take O Nutricia collagen powder together with our Vit C capsules. Take 3 capsules at night before retiring to bed. O Nutricia Collagen capsules has added Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, required for replenishing collagen and helps to protect cells from oxidative stress.
Why you need Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps collagen in three ways:
Increases the production of collagen type I and III in the skin.
Activates two key enzymes needed for collagen synthesis.
Releases enzymes that inhibit MMPs (collagen destructors).
A Vitamin C deficiency can stop collagen production.
Why didn’t we add VIT C to our powder? By keeping the powder plain its makes it more versatile.
· Raw material is certified Halaal at source (Brazil)
· Pure hydrolysed collagen peptides. We add no nasties to our product.
· Bioavailability is the best
· Provides 18 amino acids, 9 of which are essential
· Mixes clear dissolves readily in water or your favourite beverage such as tea/coffee
· O Nutricia collagen is versatile. Can be added to food without changing the flavour or texture of the food.
· Serving dose provides the adequate dosage of 10 000mg clinically proven hydrolysed collagen peptides
· Type 1 Collagen and Type 3 – skin, bone, tendon, dentin, organs and fibrous cartilage. Their ultra structure is more densely packed. The main function of Type 1 is resistance to tension. O Nutricia Collagen is a Type 1 and 3 collagen. Type 1 Collagen: Minimize fine lines and wrinkles and improves skin elasticity and hydration. Not only does it help rebuild your muscles, eyes, bones, and spine, it’s also good for strengthening your nails and helping you grow stronger, thicker hair. Type 3 Collagen: Is found in large quantities in your intestines, muscles, blood vessels, and the uterus. It’s most often used with type I collagen for gut healing and to improve skin elasticity and hydration.
· Enviromentally Friendly packaging. We are relentless in our pursuit of excellence. Part of our sustainability initiatives is the reduction of plastic in our products. When you buy O Nutricia Collagen, rest assured that we continuously strive to reduce our plastic footprint as we prepare our products for a rapidly changing environment.
Who would you recommend your collagen for: As a person ages, the collagen levels goes on the decline. This process begins when we are around the age of 30 and accelerates in our 40s – leading to the inevitable visual and noticeable signs of aging. Poor diet and stress along with gut health imbalances are some of the factors causing collagen levels to drop. Collagen is the cement that holds it all together
Collagen is the body’s most important building block and it makes up approximately 30% of the proteins in our bodies. Collagen is the key structural protein that ensures the cohesion, elasticity and regeneration of all our connective tissues, including skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bones. In essence, collagen is strong and flexible and is the ‘glue’ that holds everything together. It strengthens various body structures as well the integrity of our skin. There are many different types of collagen in our body, but 80 to 90 percent of them belong to Type I, II or III, with the majority being Type I collagen. Type I collagen fibrils have enormous tensile strength. This means they can be stretched without being broken.
Different cells in our body tissues are responsible for the production of collagen. The cells use specific amino acids and peptides as building blocks for the production of the large collagen helix structure. This is then organized into the strong fibers that provide structural tissue support, flexibility and the ability to withstand forces.
Gut health issues – O Nutricia collagen contains the amino acids Proline and Glycine that can help heal the damaged cell walls. It does this by closing up the widened holes (seals and heals the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract). It helps keep harmful toxins (such as gluten, bad bacteria and undigested food) from passing into your bloodstream and causing an immune reaction. O Nutricia collagen is high in the amino acid Glycine which improves digestive health, improves fructose malabsorption, regulates inflammation, protects the mucosal barrier, and improves enterocyte function in the intestinal tract. It protects against systemic endotoxin damage from leaky gut. Glycine also protects the liver and aids in detoxification and bile acid production. Glycine can help increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach which is needed for digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Stress and aging causes the levels of these vital digestive juices to drop. Lowered HCL can contribute to malnutrition including anaemia (a reduction in red blood cell production).
Sports people – Highly bioavailable, safe and pure, O Nutricia provides an essential source of protein to replenish the body’s needs during and after strenuous exercise programs.
Hair fall out – Postpartum hairloss
Hair loss occurs because stem cells in the hair follicles become damaged or lack nourishment to produce new hair. Collagen is a major component in hair growth, because it fights off free radicals that can affect your hair’s texture, growth and thickness. Restoring collagen in the hair follicle can improve hair growth. O Nutricia Collagen can strengthen hair and increase the diameter of individual hairs, giving your hair an overall fuller appearance.
Clients on a low carb/banting and Paleo lifestyle – If you are on a low carb or no carb diet it is important that you ingest O Nutricia collagen supplements. This will help maintain the integrity of your mucosal barrier, improve mucus membrane health in the entire body, protect microbiome diversity and population and maintain proper energy production by the bacteria in your microbiome
Old age – With advancing years, come joint stiffness, brittle bones and loss of muscle mass. Bones, joints and muscles have a common component, which is collagen. Supplementing with 10g per day of O Nutricia can help to maintain the health of tissues and promote mobility.
Arthritis and Gout – O Nutricia collagen acts as a natural anti-inflammatory without causing the side effects.
What is your favourite way to include collagen in your diet: Thankfully O Nutricia is versatile all year round! I love using O Nutricia collagen in the warmer days in
S M O O T H I E S A N D S H A K E S, Iced Coffees and sometimes in a hot beverage like rooibos tea, Spanish orange tea or in my nespresso coffee – bean to cup is best
Where can people buy your products from: From our online shop – Stockists and Agents are listed under stockists on our website.
Quote you live by: Let food be thy medicine and not medicine be thy food
Anything else you want to add: Collagen is a major component in hair growth, because it fights off free radicals that can affect your hair’s texture, growth and thickness. Restoring collagen in the hair follicle can improve hair growth. O Nutricia Collagen can strengthen hair and increase the diameter of individual hairs, giving your hair an overall fuller appearance. I use the O Nutricia powder and our capsules collagen plus Vitamin C which maximizes the benefits of collagen therapy in hair regeneration. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is temporally stored in the body. It has many benefits on the overall health of the body. Benefits include helping in collagen production that strengthens and maintains elasticity to the skin, bones, blood vessels, muscles and teeth, healing of wounds, reducing hair loss, strengthens nails and enhances the growth of healthy hair.
When is the best time to take O Nutricia Collagen: Use O Nutricia collagen to step up your workout performance, consume collagen within an hour after exercise, just as you would with any other protein. People who did so improved their muscle strength and mass. Timing appears to be critical because your muscles may be able to use collagen better to grow immediately after a workout. On the other hand, if busting hunger is your goal, take satiating O Nutricia collagen in the morning or afternoon, depending on when you tend to get hungriest. Supplementing your breakfast or lunch with a dose of collagen powder (stir it into a smoothie or even water-it’s tasteless) will help take the edge off cravings.
I have seen such a difference in my health since adding this to my diet, & it really is so simple to add it to your meals – coffee, tea, hot water etc; or even into your breakfasts. There is no excuse not to have this in your kitchen cupboards & make it a staple in your diet!
