Collagen Query

[Matthew R. Cooperberg]

Correct me if any of these assumptions are incorrect:

As mammals age, flabby skin results from a cumulative increase in
covalent cross-links among collagen subunits.

Lathyrism is caused by overconsumption of sweet peas, whose
beta-aminopropionitrile >reduces< intramolecular cross-linking to a
debilitating extent.


Would consumption of sweat peas (or treatment w/
beta-aminoproprionitrile) in any way slow or reverse the deterioration
of skin elasticity?


Thanks!