Who Shouldnt Take Collagen Supplements
Collagen has been proven to be very well tolerated without side effects for most people. However, it is typically not recommended to be taken by those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If youre considering a collagen supplement, check with your personal healthcare team before starting one. Taking this step can ensure you choose the supplement that is safe for you to take.
Do I Really Need Collagen Supplements And Skin Treatments
There are a lot of fancy skin care treatments on the market designed to increase your collagen, but do they really work?
Although you can certainly try to produce more collagen naturally , at this point you’re probably wondering if those trendy collagen supplements and skin treatments actually work. I have an unsatisfying answer to the burning question: They kind of do.
First, let’s start with supplements. Castillo recommends that active people take collagen supplements an hour prior to working out, and there’s certainly scientific research that supports this suggestion.
One comprehensive literature review found that collagen supplements can help with wound healing and skin aging, as well as increasing skin elasticity and hydration. These results are just preliminary, however — a lot more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness. And be careful when searching online many studies are performed by companies that manufacture collagen supplements, so you can’t put too much stock in what they say.
On the other hand, Castillo doesn’t see any compelling reason to invest in skin treatments designed to increase collagen. These treatments often have a hefty price tag, and most of the supporting research is inconclusive at best.
What Are The Benefits Of Taking Collagen Supplements
The most well-known benefit of taking collagen supplements is that they can help improve your skin health. Collagen is a major component of your skin, and it plays a role in its elasticity and strength. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin.
Taking collagen supplements can help replenish your body’s stores of this important protein and improve the health of your skin. Collagen supplements may also help improve joint health, reduce inflammation, and boost muscle mass. However, more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.
Recommended Reading: How To Say Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Peak Performance All 5 Multi
Peak Performance All 5 Multi-Collagen is the perfect supplement for supporting strong bones and healthy joints. It is also great for improved gut health and immunity function, as well as healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Unlike its competitors, the supplement contains five different collagen types , which usually feature a single collagen source. It is also rich in amino acids.
The Peak Performance All 5 Multi-Collagen is free from fillers, GMOs, corn, dairy, and artificial additives. The ingredients are third-party tested, and the product has a 100% money-back guarantee. Each supplement pack contains 90 capsules.
Collagen Supplements: Gold Collagen
A form of liquid collagen that comes in 10-vial packs , Pure Gold Collagen is a blend of collagen, hyaluronic acid, borage oil , and vitamins and minerals. It promises to increase skin hydration and radiance, improve suppleness, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even promote healthy-looking hair and nailswith results seen after a minimum of three weeks of use.
Pure Gold Collagen, $65 for 10 bottles, gold-collagen.com
Read Also: What Is Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma
What To Look For In A Collagen Supplement
With many collagen supplements available, you are likely wondering which one is the best for you. It all comes down to personal preference.
The first thing to consider is the form the collagen comes in, either powder or liquid. Although many are unflavored, you may find that you prefer a flavored option. You may also find that you prefer to have a ready-made liquid to drink instead of a powder that requires mixing.
Those with allergies, especially to dairy, soy, shellfish or gluten may need to pay special attention to the ingredient lists on collagen supplements to be sure they dont contain any allergens that may trigger you to have an unexpected reaction.
The type of collagen source, either plant or animal, may be something to consider as well. Many collagen supplements are bovine sourced, and would not be ideal for vegans or vegetarians.
Best Capsule: Reserveage Collagen Booster
Reserveage Ultra Collagen Booster uses BioCell Collagen as its main ingredient. BioCell Collagen is a patented hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract that contains a naturally-occurring matrix of hydrolyzed collagen type II, as well as chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, both naturally occurring substances in the body that promote good tissue. In addition to BioCell Collagen, Reserveage adds a specific blend of fruit and vegetable extracts such as Acerola Cherry, Asparagus, and Pomegranate to each capsule as these extracts have been researched for their ability to help retain skin elasticity.
Price at time of publish:$33.59
Key Ingredients: BioCell collagen, resveratrol | Certified: No corn, soy, wheat, yeast, lactose, citrus, milk, egg or fish products, sugar, salt, starch, artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives | Dosage: 2 capsules | Size: 60 capsules
Also Check: What Does Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mean
Best Collagen Supplement For Variety Of Flavors: Care/of Collagen Packs
- Types: I and III
- Price: starting from $24
Care/of sells collagen and other supplements online, and it offers online consultations. A person can fill out a form about what they are looking for, and Care/of gives product recommendations.
The companyâs collagen packs are available in these flavors:
- lemon passion fruit
- vanilla oat creamer
A person can also choose an unflavored option.
The packs contain grass-fed bovine collagen. Care/of also sells vegetarian collagen made from eggshell membranes. This comes in capsules and is not vegan.
These products are not third-party tested.
Side effects of collagen supplements are not common. However, anyone with sensitivities or allergies should check labeling carefully.
Some additional ingredients can include:
If a person consumes something that they have a sensitivity to, it can cause digestive side effects, such as bloating.
Overall, it is best to consult a physician before taking any collagen supplement. And it is important to note that these are not replacements for healthy meals.
How To Add Collagen Into Your Routine
At this point, youve probably gleaned that there are a lot of ways to use collagen. To simplify the process, here are the basics:
When: Most products can be used daily in the morning and evening routine. To unlock the benefits of collagen and help address visible signs of ageing on the skin. Depending on your skincare regimen, you may be interested in a cream or serum . Know that it can be added in whatever form suits you best.
How: As far as topicals, it is always helpful to combine them with other moisturising actives, or Vitamins which boost collagen production.
Who: This ingredient is one that women can wait to start using. Implementing a good skin care regimen, which includes sunscreen, antioxidants, and retinoids, is key starting at the age of 20. Collagen-boosting ingredients may be more beneficial starting in the thirties.
Not for: While it is gentle enough for most to use, those with chronic skin conditions should consult with their dermatologist first. Those with sensitive skin conditions should be more concerned about fragranced products or certain preservatives and not the collagen itself.
You May Like: How Can You Detect Skin Cancer
What Happens When You Stop Taking Collagen
Once you start taking collagen regularly, stopping can also have different effects on different people. Cole notes that some people may notice a return to their previous state of wellbeing before taking collagen once they stop. For instance, if you start seeing improved skin, hair, and nail health, or less achy points and better gut health, those things may revert to what they were like before. But, he adds, âthat’s not a hard and fast rule. Sometimes people need to take collagen for a while and then can stop and be totally fine.â
Best Collagen Supplements Of 202: Top 4 Brands Most Recommended By Expert Websites
Whether its in some influencers favorite smoothie or you read about it in a medical journal, youve probably heard the health buzzword collagen. Collagen is the most abundant component of our extracellular make-up and its the decisive protein that determines skin physiology by enabling its numerous functions to take place, according to the National Institutes of Health.
A placebo-controlled clinical trial from NIH confirmed that skin aging could be improved using collagen supplements to restore skin hydration, elasticity, and density. Better yet, the study indicates that collagen contributes to overall skin health without causing any adverse side effects.
Some research even indicates that the benefits of collagen may reach far beyond physical appearance. Researchers from The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai found increasing levels of type III collagen the form of the protein cancer cells produce and cover themselves in stops diseased cells from spreading.
While most people know collagen for its ability to help people look younger, it is more importantly a building block for the skin, bones and connective tissues, providing strength and elasticity. Many people have found collagen supplements have improved their skin health, while also creating an active interface between the internal and external environments of the body.
You May Like: What Happens When You Have Melanoma
Does Drinking Collagen Work To Improve Skin
Experts say it’s unlikely especially without evidence. “Despite popular belief that collagen supplements can help strengthen our skin, we have little data to truly support this,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Collagen is a large molecule that is digested by our intestines into smaller pieces when taken by mouth, so when we ingest powders or supplements, our skin is not seeing the full collagen molecule, but rather protein fragments or individual amino acids.” In other words, you’re not reaping the full benefits of the collagen molecule because it’s broken down in the body so much first.
Do I Have Enough Collagen
As we get older, our bodies start to naturally produce less collagen. While wrinkles and aches are a part of the aging process, you may be wondering if low collagen is to blame for your ailments.
Castillo says that the following are signs that you may be low on the vital protein:
- Less flexible tendons and ligaments
- Wrinkles on skin
- Worn-out cartilage or joint pain
- Gastrointestinal issues caused by thinning of the lining of the digestive tract
Of course, if any physical symptoms are significantly interfering with your quality of life, you’ll want to check in with your doctor. But if you’d just like smoother skin and a little more pep in your step, it could be worth looking into how you can increase your collagen levels.
Also Check: Can You Have Melanoma For Years And Not Know
Benefits Of Using Collagen
The benefits of collagen go beyond the skin. In addition to improvements in the visible appearance of your skin, healthy collagen levels provide additional whole-body benefits. Because it is such a prevalent protein within the body, its decrease has impacts on overall health, too. Internally, the connective tissue is all over our body. So, its not just the skin. It helps our joints, which is important as we age.
How We Select Supplements
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.
We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.
It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.
Recommended Reading: How To Prevent Basal Cell Carcinoma
General Collagen Benefits For Skin
Does collagen really benefit or improve skin? The experiences of regular collagen users, and emerging studies, suggest that, yes it can and oftentimes does.
Ancient Nutrition’s new version of Multi Collagen Protein is backed by six human clinical studies. Its select ingredients can help provide some of these general benefits for skin health:
-
Help to support healthy skin elasticity, making skin look firmer
-
Improving the appearance of crow’s feet after 28 days of use
-
Improving skin smoothness and overall texture after 8 weeks of use
-
Boosting overall skin moisture
-
Helping skin cells to keep renewing normally
-
Also promoting healthy hair thickness and growth while reducing hair breakage
The Different Types Of Collagen
Collagen brings strength, structure and elasticity to our connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, bones and skin. But as we age, our body becomes less efficient at producing collagen. Our inefficiency starts in our 20s, and by 40 we’re losing about 1% a year. Around age 80, your collagen is about 75% that of a young adult’s.
There are five main types of collagen. Type I is the most common and is in skin, bone, teeth, tendons, ligaments, organs, etc. Type II is in cartilage. Type III is found mostly in the skin, muscle and blood vessels. Type IV is in the epithelial tissue layers, which cover body surfaces and line body cavities. Type V is one of the main elements of cell surfaces and the placenta. From a supplement standpoint, though, you’ll mostly find Types I, II and III.
Collagen powder can be extracted from a few different sources, with the most common being bovine , porcine , ovine , chicken and fish .
There are also so-called vegan collagen supplements on the market, and they don’t actually contain collagen . Instead, these products are comprised of other ingredients said to stimulate collagen production.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Treatment For Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Other Collagen Boosting Ingredients
The key to boosting your skin’s collagen production is not as simple as slathering collagen peptides on top. Board-certified dermatologist says vitamin C and retinol are two ingredients effective at boosting collagen as well as using SPF everyday. Many collagen creams combine collagen peptides with these other active ingredients for the ultimate collagen-boosting concoction.
Collagen Supplements: Ancient Nutrition
This unflavoured pick from Ancient Nutrition contains collagen from bovine, fish and chickenall of which are from non-GMO, grass-fed, cage-free,and cruelty-free sources. This unique collagen blend means it can offer the benefits of not one but three different sources, making it a source of collagen I, II and III. Enjoy it in the morning with breakfast, adding it to a coffee or smoothie, or even pancakes or oatmeal. Prefer a flavoured option? Try Ancient Nutritions chocolate or strawberry-flavoured collagen protein.
Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Pure, $39, houseofwellness.ca
Recommended Reading: Neutrogena Skin Clearing Mineral Powder
Collagen Powder Vs Collagen Capsules
Collagen can be taken in both powder or capsule form, and these include collagen peptides, which are broken down into collagen. One of the major differences between the two is the dose per serving.
For example, a scoop of one popular powder brand called Vital Proteins contains 20 g of collagen peptides, whereas the brands own collagen capsule contains only 3.3 g of collagen peptides per dose, which is six capsules.
Provided collagen powder fits in your budget, look for a bovine or supplement, which contain collagen type 1 and 3 needed for skin health, from a reputable brand. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides , Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate , and Live Conscious Collagen Peptides are three options that fit the bill. Its also helpful if the formula contains vitamin C, which is important in collagen production.
If youre more interested in capsules, Hum sells collagen capsules that contain a mix of collagen peptides, as well as other skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid. A serving of three capsules provides 600 milligrams of collagen peptides . Olly Glowing Skin gummies have 120 mg of collagen peptides per a two-gummy serving . Therefore, you will have to take many capsules to get close to the same amount as powder.
RELATED: Do Skin and Hair Supplements Like Collagen and Resveratrol Really Work?
Types Of Collagen Supplements
The collagen used in supplements is extracted from two primary sources: Animals and plants. Animal-based collagen typically comes from fish scales, pork or chicken skin, bone broth or egg whites. Plant-based collagen supplements are often manufactured using modified yeast and bacteria.
Collagen supplements are typically available in the following forms:
- Peptides: Also known as hydrolyzed, this form features shorter chains of collagen that are broken down and more easily absorbed. Most collagen supplements come in this form.
- Gelatin: Gelatin is essentially a degraded, cooked form of collagen. It can be made from cooking down animal bones, skin and cartilage. When offered in supplement form, it often appears as a gel and can be added as a thickening agent when cooking.
Don’t Miss: Home Remedies For Itchy Skin On Dogs
Are There Any Negative Effects Of Taking Collagen
The good news: Cole says collagen is safe for most people. Just be mindful of the source of the collagen and if you have any food allergies. For instance, if youâre allergic to seafood, steer clear of marine collagen. Generally, he adds, people who experience side effects from taking collagen are typically caused by other ingredients and additives in the collagen product, not necessarily the collagen itself.
Does The Brand Affect The Collagen Powder For Skin
Well, this is what brands themselves try to transfer to your idea, however we believe if collagen is extracted correctly from the quality resources, the brand doesnt really affect the quality. In order to find the best collagen powder for skin, you need to keep a few factors in mind:
- The animal which collagen is extracted from was raised healthy and fed from natural grass. .
- The texture of plain collagen powder is soft and white, just like flour . Make sure you see this texture or if it is flavored, the color would be different.
- You should not find any taste or smell on plain collagen powder.
However, it is a good idea to read customers reviews before choosing any brand.
What is Collagen? Do you want to know more read this articles > What is collagen powder made of?
You May Like: Foundation That Adjusts To Your Skin Color