Osteoporosis Fragile, soft nails Thinning hair Wrinkled skin A weak immune system Lack of muscle tone i.e., sagging chin Over one-quarter of all the protein in the body is made up of collagen. Collagen is the protein that makes your bones, nails, teeth and hair strong. Collagen is also the main structural component of skin. Starting in our early 20s, however, collagen production declines by about one percent a year. Women in menopause are especially susceptible to collagen decline. Women lose as much as 30 percent of their skin collagen in the five years following menopause. And as if that is not bad enough, skin elasticity declines 0.55 percent per year after menopause. The effects of slowed collagen production are visibly obvious when skin loses its structure, sags and wrinkles. Our body requires protein to rebuild, repair and regenerate the bodys tissues. Of the 20 amino acids necessary to support protein production, 12 are made by the liver and the remaining eight must be obtained from our food and thats why they are called essential amino acids. The richest source of these amino acids is whey protein. Many health conditions are related to inadequate protein consumption in the diet especially: Protein should make up 30 percent of your diet. Women rarely get enough protein in their diet due to their food choices or calorie restrictive diets.