Who Should Not Take Collagen Supplements?

Collagen peptide supplements are often marketed as being able to improve skin, joint health, burn fat and build muscle mass. However, there is currently not enough research to support these claims. Learn who should avoid taking these supplements.

Earnest Caruth12/01/20232 minutes read0 Comments

35.5k

Patients with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones should not take too many collagen peptide supplements. It is advisable to start with a lower dose of 5 to 6 grams per day, and it is best to consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

Collagen

supplements are often marketed as being able to improve skin, joint health, burn fat, and build muscle mass. However, there is currently not enough research to support these claims.

In general, you can increase your collagen levels naturally by eating a balanced diet and following a healthy lifestyle. If you have a known seafood allergy or other marine allergies, it is important to avoid these supplements, as an allergic reaction could be life-threatening. Oral and topical collagen products, such as supplements and facial creams, are popular for treating signs of aging, such as wrinkles, loss of skin hydration, and joint pain. Some studies suggest that collagen supplements may help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce general joint pain (.

Those who took 5 grams of collagen peptides per day for 1 year had significant increases in BMD in the spine and femur (a bone in the lower leg) compared to participants taking a placebo (2). Therefore, it takes at least 8 weeks to experience noticeable results when taking collagen supplements (. Collagen can be found in all muscle tissues of animals (not organic tissue), bone broth, egg whites, and spirulina. For example, vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis, so having low or deficient levels of vitamin C can lead to poor collagen production (1).

The integrity of collagen found in the skeletal system also declines with age, leading to reduced bone strength (1). Most studies use a minimum of 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of collagen on skin health and joint pain relief, but other studies use longer periods long, like 12 months, for bone health (9, 13, 20). For example, poly-L-lactic acid fillers can help combat the effects of aging by stimulating collagen production in the skin. While companies can claim that these supplements can increase collagen levels in the body, there is no evidence that they can do so.

These findings suggest that taking long-term collagen supplements may help increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal people who are at increased risk of developing osteopenia and osteoporosis. There is some evidence to suggest that collagen supplements may help restore or prevent deterioration of joint cartilage. These amino acids form three strands which form the triple helix structure characteristic of collagen (. Therefore, collagen supplements are not really collagen but components of collagen that are already broken down into absorbable form.

Your body naturally produces collagen and you can consume it through dietary sources such as chicken skin and fish skin as well as through collagen supplements. Studies show that collagen intake appears to be particularly useful for certain purposes and populations including increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal people who have low BMD.