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.”
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.
Collagen is considered to be well tolerated with no major side-effects. Minor side-effects include: a feeling of heaviness in your stomach. mild diarrhoea.
Collagen peptides have been safely used in doses up to 10 grams daily for up to 5 months. Side effects are rare.
Experts recommend using collagen according to a very effective course. A course of about 2-3 months and about 3-4 courses per year, between courses should have a break of 1-2 months. This is to help the body promote the effectiveness of collagen to each organ in the body.
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.
Collagen's role in the body
Collagen is a protein that serves as one of the main building blocks for your bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. "Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz.
Collagen supplements may not be safe for: People with fish, shellfish, or egg allergies (collagen supplements may contain these allergens as ingredients)16.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I TAKE COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS? 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 might find that the effects of aging set in more quickly if you lead a strenuous lifestyle.
Taking a collagen supplement will not cause you to gain weight. In fact, it can help support you on your weight loss journey along with proper diet and exercise. Collagen is beneficial to your bones, muscles, hair, skin, and nails.
If you stop taking collagen for a couple of days there will not be any significant effects. However, research shows that if you stop taking the supplement completely the benefits will slowly disappear and your skin will return to its original state.
Now that you know when to take and which areas of you need collagen, let's understand its effectiveness period. Generally, collagen takes about 8 to 12 weeks to see its major results on skin health, joint pain relief and bone strengthening.
The first signs that collagen is working can be noticed when you look at your skin; regular collagen can begin to improve the skin's overall elasticity and improve hydration levels after (at least) six weeks.
When you have too much collagen, your skin can stretch, thicken, and harden. It also can cause damage to internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
A review and analysis of 19 studies, published in the International Journal of Dermatology, that had a total of 1,125 participants. Those who used collagen supplements saw an improvement in the firmness, suppleness, and moisture content of the skin, with wrinkles appearing less noticeable.
They continue decreasing to about 60% at age 50, 44% at age 60, and 32% at age 70. Based on this timeline, you might want to start boosting your body's collagen supply as early as your twenties, but it's never too late to start.
Free radicals damage collagen — “they are our skin's enemy,” says Dr. Zeichner. Environmental factors (like UV rays or pollution), bad lifestyle habits (smoking), and a poor diet (for example, one high in sugar) all create free radical formation, which speeds collagen breakdown.
Scientists haven't discovered exactly how they interact with each other, and more studies are needed. According to Cleveland Clinic, when estrogen drops, so does the skin's collagen production. So far, research hasn't shown that collagen supplements increase or decrease estrogen production.
Are collagen supplements a good option for tightening loose skin? A: Collagen supplements aren't the best option if you want to improve the appearance of your skin. That's mainly because there's no evidence-based science to prove they work ― or that they're safe.
Taking 2.5–15 grams of hydrolyzed collagen peptides daily could be effective and safe. Taking 2.5 grams may support skin hydration and elasticity and support joint health. Taking 5-15 grams per day may support bone and joint health.
Taking it at night tends to be the other tip that is most often heard regarding collagen supplements. This is because your body recovers while you sleep, allowing your body plenty of time to process the collagen.
A surprising benefit of taking collagen is the positive impact it can have on your sleep. 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.