Collagen peptides have been safely used in doses up to 10 grams daily for up to 5 months. Side effects are rare.
Collagen can lead to the development of kidney stones. Hydroxyproline is a major collagen amino acid that is normally disposed of through the kidneys as oxalate: a kidney stone trigger. You can also experience digestive problems as a side effect of taking collagen.
As such, no matter your goal for using collagen, it will take at least 8 weeks to experience noticeable results ( 6 ). Most studies use a minimum of 8 weeks to assess collagen's effects on skin health and joint pain relief, but other studies use longer periods, such as 12 months, for bone health ( 9 , 14 , 22 ).
"Collagen supplements or skin products can produce an allergic reaction, which could, in rare cases, be life-threatening. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching or tingling in the mouth or area of skin where collagen is applied, swelling of tongue or skin, wheezing, abdominal pain, nausea, and/or vomiting.
Collagen is generally considered to be a safe and nontoxic daily supplement for healthy individuals, and most people won't experience adverse side effects.
Improvements in skin, nails, muscle and joint health may become noticeable after three to six months of regular collagen supplementation, but results varied across scientific studies. Results may take longer depending on personal factors including age, nutritional status and overall health.
"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.
Liver fibrosis is characterized by accumulation of excess extracellular matrix components, including type I collagen, which disrupts liver microcirculation and leads to injury.
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.
Collagen is a protein that makes up connective tissues, such as the skin. 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.
Although collagen supplements are unlikely to cause kidney stones for most people when used in moderation, those at a higher risk of developing kidney stones may need to limit their intake.
It Can Help to Protect Against Bone Loss
Bones are mostly made of collagen, so when our body ages and loses collagen, bone mass and bone strength suffer. Adding in a collagen supplement, along with other bone strengthening exercises and supplements, can help to prevent bone breakage.
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.
Studies have shown that supplementing with collagen peptides — broken down collagen that's easier for your body to absorb — may be beneficial for older people and promote skin and bone health during aging.
Collagen is a structural protein of the blood vessel wall, which is normally concealed beneath the cells that line the blood vessel inner walls. When the blood vessel becomes injured, collagen is exposed and attracts cells called platelets from the blood which causes blood clotting.
Collagen is an important component of the kidney and is widely distributed among all kidney tissues [69]. Collagen IV and other macromolecules constitute the main part of the glomerular basement membrane. The mesangial matrix consists of mainly collagen IV, collagen V, fibronectin, and laminin.
Taking collagen can help because it is rich in glycine, an amino acid that has enormous healing and detoxification capabilities for the body. Glycine helps reduce damage as your liver processes toxins. This study even showed that glycine reduces liver damage and provide a protective effect on the liver long-term.
Collagen may help reduce the appearance of gray hair by supporting the healthy structure of the hair follicle (where the pigment that gives hair its color is produced). When collagen creams or gels are applied directly to the scalp, gray hair can appear darker and less dry.
Does Collagen Tighten Saggy Skin? Studies have indicated that supplemental collagen is beneficial for skin health, including tightening sagging skin (known as elasticity), boosting hydration, and lessening the appearance of wrinkles.
Current research reveals that collagen use could result in a reduction of wrinkles, rejuvenation of skin, and reversal of skin aging [16], which may improve skin hydration and elasticity [17].
Collagen prevents skin from sagging and gives it a plump, full look. Elastin helps skin return to its original shape after stretching or compressing.
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.
Adding collagen peptides to a regimen of calcium and vitamin D improved measures of bone health compared to calcium +D alone, says a new study from Greece with postmenopausal women with osteopenia.
Research suggests that collagen not only improves cholesterol balance, but also decreases total cholesterol, lowers triglycerides (fats linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease), and prevents and treats the buildup of plaque on artery walls.
When synthesis exceeds degradation, there is a net accumulation of collagen that can eventually become fibrosis. When blood vessels become stiff because of fibrosis, the heart works harder to keep blood flowing through the vessels and blood pressure increases.