Collagen is a super versatile powerhouse for your body. This protein does everything. Collagen is an abundant protein. To date 28 types have been identified. It helps with skin elasticity and tightening. It helps with hair growth and thickness. Collagen supports flexibility support in joints. In summary, collagen is a key element in your health regime for you to look and feel your best.
Collagen supplements are a convenient way to make sure your body has enough collagen for these vital roles. But you may be concerned about collagen side effects, or the safest way to supplement your body’s collagen. If so, this post will answer those questions.
Why take Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. Do you want smooth, supple skin? What about abundant, lustrous hair, or healthy fingernails? It’s collagen that provides the essential building blocks for those.
Give mother nature credit for producing collagen naturally. The trouble is as we age, production and quality of collagen reduces which means that have to supplement collagen into our diet. By the age of 40, you can lose up to 1% of your body’s collagen each year (1)
What is hydrolyzed collagen?
Hydrolyzed collagen is also known as collagen peptides. This type of collagen is derived from bovine (cattle), sea food, poultry and other animal sources. It’s simply collagen that has undergone a process known as hydrolysis.
Essentially this process involves breaking down collagen into smaller molecules - amino acids, di and tri-peptides. These new forms of collagen are more easily soluble in cold water. Larger molecules, known as gelatine are soluble only in hot water.
If you are vegan, be aware that collagen supplements may be derived from animal sources, while some collagen supplements are derived from marine life. On the other hand, there are supplements that support your body’s own ability to produce collagen.
How much collagen should you take a day?
Currently, health authorities haven’t provided any official guidelines regarding how much collagen to take per day.
The amount of collagen you should take depends on which form you’re taking and why you’re taking it. With hydrolyzed collagen, the most common form in supplements, it is recommended to take 2.5 to 15 grams a day to be safe and effective(2). Biowell Eterna provides 6.6 grams of collagen per daily serving, which falls within these research based limits.
Most collagen supplements have a suggested daily dosage printed on the packaging. Powdered supplement packaging often suggests taking 1–2 scoops (or tablespoons) daily, while a pill or gummy supplement may recommend 1–2 pieces.
Depending on the supplement, these servings can vary in collagen content, so check the nutrition facts label for detailed dosage information.
What happens if I take too much collagen?
You may be asking yourself this. If collagen is so good for the body, why not take more than the recommended dose?
And if I do, what will be the side effects? Taking too much collagen may just give you indigestion, perhaps feeling overly full, but not likely to cause you harm beyond that. It won’t add any benefits either.
As always if you plan to exceed recommended doses, consult your healthcare provider first.
Collagen; the bottom line
Collagen is a plentiful protein that’s part of many structural and connective tissues in your body.
It’s created from a variety of animal sources and processed into supplements that some people take to offset age-related collagen loss.
While most adults who eat a balanced diet that includes adequate animal sources of protein can make enough collagen, some people choose to take a collagen supplement to support muscle growth, bone and joint health, and/or skin and hair health.
Many types of collagen supplements are available, and the type you choose determines how much you should take.
As with any supplement, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider before adding collagen to your diet.
How to supplement your collagen levels
If you need to increase your collagen levels, there are many ways you can do this. Consider these;
Eterna Protein; One daily serving of Eterna provides 6.6g of collage protein. Add to smoothies, coffee or a drink of your choice - without changing the taste.
If you like to cook, add Eterna collagen. It's unflavored and absorbs easily into soups, sauces, jellies and deserts. The only limits on how to take your Eterna collagen support is your imagination.
