Many people look to capsule supplements out of convenience. On a functional level, collagen powders and pills are one and the same, if they contain the same type of collagen, dosage, source, and added ingredients.
Collagen peptides are usually considered the best form of collagen for ingestion. Hydrolyzed collagen should be taken if a person wants to take a collagen supplement. Hydrolyzed collagen means the collagen has been broken down into small peptides, which are easy for the body to digest.
The main difference between pill and powder collagen is simply a matter of form. While many people consider the pill form to be the most convenient, powder collagen can be more versatile. While the pill form is convenient, it can also limit the dosage of collagen.
The bottom line on supplementing your diet with collagen: The body needs amino acids to build the protein collagen. Collagen supplements may provide these nutrients, but there is limited evidence that they are particularly effective in improving skin, hair or overall health.
Cons of Collagen Powder
Collagen is not a complete protein and should not be used in place of standard protein sources. The body uses amino acids where it needs them, meaning that once collagen is broken down, the body isn't necessarily going to use them for cosmetic benefit.
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.
Powders treat your body gentler than pills.
Because vitamin powder is water-soluble, not only does that make powder even easier for your body to absorb but also it makes powder a gentler option for your stomach and digestive system than pills.
A standard recommendation is to take it in the morning, first thing. The main reason for this is that you take the supplement on an empty stomach.
The best way to take collagen is to stir it into water or coffee. Putting collagen, like Skinful Marine Collagen Powder in your coffee is a great way to stack a habit so you don't forget. It also helps blunt the caffeine hit by adding protein, and if you combine it with some fat (like milk or MCT), even better.
Oral supplementation, along with eating foods that either contain collagen or boost your natural production, is the best way to absorb it into your body and increase your collagen levels. Foods that contain Vitamin C are helpful for increasing collagen production.
If you're taking collagen for the anti-aging benefits, look for type I, or a combo of type I and type III. Both are found in the skin and support skin health (think: improved skin hydration, firmness and texture, as well as fewer wrinkles, per a review study in 2019 in the journal Molecules).
There are many people who claim taking collagen on an empty stomach provides them with the best results. Many people abide by this method because you need stomach acid to digest proteins, so in theory, taking collagen on an empty stomach ensures you will be able to better break down the collagen.
Any age can benefit from collagen. But since aging effects manifest later in life, collagen supplementation is advised to begin in the early 20s.
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.
Quicker Absorption
They're designed to work their way through your system before they start getting absorbed. Powdered supplements, however, don't have a barrier. The only barrier is your mouth.
A water-soluble drug contained in an oral powder dissolves much more rapidly than a similar drug contained in a tablet or capsule, in which the tablet or capsule shell must be disintegrated before dissolution. Water or another liquid can be dissolved in a powder, making it easier to swallow.
The body more readily absorbs liquid vitamins than traditional vitamin pills. This is because liquid vitamins dissolve more rapidly, providing higher potency and absorption rate.
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.”
After daily collagen supplementation for a few weeks, you will typically start to notice a few things: hair growth, skin hydration and skin moisture, improvement in joint health and skin health, lessening of fine lines, and other possible anti-aging improvements.
"Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz. Your body naturally makes collagen, but this production decreases with age. "Starting in our mid-20s, we slowly begin to lose collagen," Dr.
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.
This is because collagen is loaded with the amino acid glycine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms the central nervous system and helps us to unwind, relax, and fall asleep.