
A small 2018 study of postmenopausal women found those taking collagen supplements daily during a 12-month period improved the bone density of their spine and neck. Strengthen those bones while you sip on some collagen peptides. Another study of young men with the same parameters had similar findings. In a small study of premenopausal women, researchers found taking 15 g of collagen and exercising for 12 weeks helped them gain muscle mass. Recent research has shown taking a collagen supplement may improve muscle mass. Collagen peptide supplementation may also help both hair and nails grow stronger.
#GREAT LAKES HYDROLYZED GELATIN SKIN#
Science is also looking into how consuming collagen can improve skin elasticity and even boost collagen production.Ī 2015 study (done ex vivo, aka outside a living body) found improvements in both when participants took a collagen peptide supplement for 8 weeks. One review of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation found benefits to joint health and also helped to reduce joint pain in people with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. There’s some promising evidence that taking a collagen supplement can help relieve joint pain. However, science is beginning to focus more attention on collagen supplements and their potential benefits. The manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements are responsible for making sure their products are safe before they go to market. But the FDA doesn’t review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they’re on the market. Supplements like collagen are regulated by the FDA. What are the benefits of collagen supplements? Look for seals from USP, NSF, or UL when purchasing products. Third-party testing certification means a product contains what it says it does, and more importantly, contains nothing harmful. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have to evaluate the safety and quality of these supplements, third-party testing can be helpful. Keep an eye out for added goodies like vitamin C (helps stimulate collagen production) and hyaluronic acid (provides added skin and joint benefits).

You want a list of ingredients that’s as small as possible, ideally with no sugar or unnecessary additives. Do you want it to dissolve unnoticed into liquids, or is it going in your smoothie or overnight oats? Maybe you want to bypass powders entirely and just take a pill, a gummy, or purchase a premade collagen beverage to sip on throughout the day. UseĬonsider how you’d like to take your collagen.

Make sure you pick one you like so you’re more likely to stick to your daily supplement routine. If it’s going to be mixed in water, a smoothie, or your morning acai bowl, flavor (or lack of it) might make or break your experience. The most important thing to think about here is how you’ll be taking it. You can buy collagen supplements flavored or unflavored. You want to look for products from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals and sustainably sourced fish. This type is often marketed for joint health.īecause collagen comes from animal sources, including bovine (cow), chicken, fish, and eggshells, it’s important to consider how these animals were raised. Collagen sourced from chicken typically contains type 2. These types are usually marketed for skin. Collagen from fish also primarily contains type 1. Bovine collagen (from cows) contains types 1 and 3 and is the most common form. Types 1 and 3 are found primarily in the skin, organs, and bones.Which you choose comes down to your goals for taking collagen: There are at least 16 types of collagen, but almost all the collagen in the body is type 1, 2, or 3. Ready to shop? Here’s what to look for to get a collagen supplement.

What to look for in a collagen supplement We only include products that passed this process. All the products on our list were put through a rigorous vetting process that checks for unsupported health claims, product quality, and whether companies engage in shady business practices. A cGMP certification ensures that the manufacturing facility is meeting FDA guidelines, while third-party testing is a service that brands can pay for to provide more transparency to their customers. We looked for brands that either third-party test all of their products or that make them in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) facility.
