Collagen supplements are generally made from connective tissue, bones and other parts of cows, pigs, chicken and fish. They can contain toxins and heavy metals that could be harmful. As with all supplements, collagen is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Since collagen supplementation has been shown to increase the body's collagen production, it would make sense that collagen supplementation may improve skin quality and appearance. Randomized trials have found that collagen supplementation can indeed help by improving hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling.
Research shows that taking 2.5 to 15 grams daily of hydrolyzed collagen is safe. A smaller dose benefits your joints and skin, while a larger amount may help with body composition and muscle mass.
How Often Should You Take Collagen? According to Pam Hartnett, MPH, RDN, “Collagen is generally considered a safe supplement to day daily. In fact, most studies that found a benefit to collagen supplementation looked at consistent daily intake and none of these studies found significant side effects.”
Liver fibrosis is characterized by accumulation of excess extracellular matrix components, including type I collagen, which disrupts liver microcirculation and leads to injury.
Does collagen work? Some studies show that taking collagen supplements for several months can improve skin elasticity, (i.e., wrinkles and roughness) as well as signs of aging. Others have shown that consuming collagen can increase density in bones weakened with age and can improve joint, back and knee pain.
Human studies are lacking but some randomized controlled trials have found that collagen supplements improve skin elasticity. [3,4] Other trials have found that the supplements can improve joint mobility and decrease joint pain such as with osteoarthritis or in athletes.
As a result, taking too much collagen may lead to indigestion, bloating, and gas. Additionally, some people may be allergic to collagen supplements. If you experience any itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing after taking collagen supplements, it's important to stop taking them and see a doctor immediately.
You may choose to begin taking collagen as early as your twenties or wait until your natural collagen levels start to decline a little more at menopause. Although it's never too late to begin collagen supplementation, people with certain lifestyle habits and choices might benefit from starting sooner.
Sun exposure, pollution, and cigarette smoke are all major enemies of collagen. UV rays from the sun damage the skin's collagen fibers, causing them to break down. Pollution also damages collagen fibers and hastens the skin aging process.
It balances blood pressure
Some research suggests that glycine, one of the primary amino acids in collagen can promote heart health by reducing blood pressure and protect against arterial damage. Collagen may also boost levels of nitric oxide, a compound that enhances blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
So how long does it take for collagen to start working? Tangible results for skin, hair and nails are seen in as soon as four weeks. And with consistent, daily supplementation, the best results are achieved from 12 weeks.
Without a doubt, type I collagen is the most abundant protein found in humans (and in all vertebrates). Type I or type 1 collagen is the strongest type of collagen. If you're looking for a collagen for supporting skin health, type 1 is a top choice since it's literally a building block of the skin.
To reap the benefits for skin health, the research recommends that you take between 2.5 to 5 grams of collagen per day (2). This amount is shown to increase skin elasticity and hydration in elderly women while reducing the depth of existing skin wrinkles in middle-aged women.
Collagen peptides have been safely used in doses up to 10 grams daily for up to 5 months. Side effects are rare.
Collagen provides structure to your arteries, which keep blood flowing to and from your heart. Studies have shown that taking collagen supplements can reduce artery stiffness and increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol in the body. This means it can help reduce your risk of developing heart conditions.
Ingesting collagen as your main form of protein can potentially lead to a deficit in tryptophan. A decrease in tryptophan results in lower serotonin levels and has the potential to cause feelings of anxiety, irritability, and depression (particularly if you already suffer from a mood disorder.)
You can begin taking collagen supplements at the age of 20 to 25 as a preventative or, as you start to notice the more visible signs of ageing. We'd always recommend starting in your early to mid twenties to get ahead of the body's natural depletion as you age.