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. It also helps to improve your heart health.
If you are gaining weight when you take collagen over the long-term, then it is likely because you are getting increases in bone mineral density, more connective tissue around your joints, retaining water or bloating.
Those who took collagen peptides experienced a greater improvement in muscle mass and strength. They also lost more fat mass than the placebo group. These results suggest that collagen supplements can support loss of body fat by enhancing the effects of weight training on muscle mass.
Fortunately, much like with weight loss, collagen is highly unlikely to result in any water retention. In fact, it again may also be great for reducing the amount of water that is retained, meaning it can help with the issue, as opposed to hindering it.
Collagen is a protein that's found in the connective tissues of animals, and it's often used as a supplement. Some people believe that taking collagen can help with weight loss, as it can increase metabolism and reduce appetite. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Can you take too much? Collagen is generally considered to be a safe and nontoxic daily supplement for healthy individuals, and most people won't experience adverse side effects. Still, some have reported symptoms, such as an unpleasant taste, feeling overly full, or other stomach complaints ( 27 ).
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.
In some cases, collagen supplementation can even be connected to weight loss. (More on that below.) Still, there are some other side effects to consider, including the possibility of water retention and bloating.
Collagen Might Make You Feel Bloated
Collagen might make you feel bloated, queasy or full as your body's stomach acids break it down to amino acids. This usually passes except for rare cases. You are likely feeling these symptoms because you body is not used to the amino acids found within it.
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.
Increasing your collagen intake may help increase your metabolism by adding lean muscle mass to your frame and helping with the conversion of essential nutrients. Remember that retaining muscle mass is crucial as you age, since it helps support posture and bone health, and burns more calories.
Collagen supplements may lead to mild side effects such as bloating, heartburn, and feelings of fullness. If you have food allergies, make sure to purchase supplements that don't contain your allergens.
Many of the studies available suggest that you'd be able to noticeably see improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and density anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks of regular collagen supplementation.
No, collagen supplements aren't known to provide significant breast enlargement and you may not go up a cup size, but they will make them look firmer, plumper, and more youthful for a more natural breast enhancement.
Collagen supplements may not be safe for: People with fish, shellfish, or egg allergies (collagen supplements may contain these allergens as ingredients)16. People with a Kosher or Halal diet. People with a vegetarian or vegan diet.
If you take too much collagen in one day, you may experience digestive issues such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. If you experience these side effects, reduce your dosage or take the supplement with food to help minimize them.
By supporting the microbiome, nourishing the gut lining, and even increasing butyrate production in the gut, collagen may help improve bowel movements and other gut symptoms like gas and bloating.
Collagen's role in the body
"Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz.
The loss of collagen with age causes our skin to lose its firmness. There are options that can help rebuild collagen in your face for smoother, younger looking skin. Fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin are all part of the natural aging process, and collagen, or lack of it, is often the culprit.
The evidence from the reviewed studies suggested that both collagen supplements improve skin moisture, elasticity, and hydration when orally administered. Additionally, collagen reduces the wrinkling and roughness of the skin, and existing studies have not found any side effects of its oral supplements.
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. This suggestion potentially has some reasoning, and we suggest you take SkinGlo on an empty stomach.
Collagen is an incredibly important protein that keeps your tissues and bones together. Specifically for your skin, collagen helps give your skin structure and elasticity, or that famous “bounce.” So, in theory, boosting your skin's collagen levels — or preventing its loss — would help you look younger.
If we discontinue collagen for a long time, troublesome problems with joints or lack of skin firmness can quickly return. Some people, instead of completely giving up our collagen, drink shots less frequently, e.g. every few days. It is also a great way to maintain the positive effects of its operation.
Collagen's main role is to provide structure, strength and support throughout your body. Collagen's specific roles include: Helping fibroblasts to form in your dermis (middle skin layer), which helps new cells grow. Playing a role in replacing dead skin cells.
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.