6 Weird, Harmful Collagen Side Effects You Need To Know About
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Could you be hurting your body without knowing it?
It seems as though you can't walk past an asle at the store or notice a pop-up ad on your computer that doesn't preach about the benefits of collagen. Whether it's ingesting it or topically applying it, collagen products are the next big thing when it comes to cosmetics and the beauty world.
What is collagen? It's a protein our body produces up until a certain point that creates firm, supple, and tight skin, and it almost seems as though using it would be the equivalent of finding the fountain of youth.
This new staple ingredient seems almost too good to be true. So, we spoke with nutritionists and medical professionals on the health implications of taking or applying collagen to our bodies. Read on as we go over the potential collagen side effects that can happen the next time you try it.
1. It can have possible implications on gut health.
According to Meghan Lyle, MPH, Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist and Arivale Coach, "Though collagen peptides are all the rage right now, the benefits of their use are still under study. In some clinical trials, there have also been some side effects reported.
In several studies, gastrointestinal side effects have been noted with use of collagen supplement: Some patients notice constipation when they begin to include collagen peptides as part of their supplement regime. Others notice, though more rarely, a reduction in appetite. It’s always best to speak with your doctor when adding new supplements to your regimen, particularly in an effort to avoid medication interactions."
2. Some people are sensitive to collagen protein.
Though many have found success using collagen, there are others who may not be so lucky.
"Some people are sensitive to the free glutamic acid in collagen protein and may find they get mild headaches or have difficulty sleeping when they consume too much or take collagen too close to bedtime," says registered dietian Pamela Schoenfeld, MS RD LDN.
3. It may cause kidney stones.
According to Schoenfeld, "If a person has a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones, it is a good idea to take it slow when adding collagen to the diet, starting with no more than 5-6 grams per day (about 1 tablespoon).
One of the amino acids that collagen is rich in, hydroxyproline, can be converted into oxalate and excreted through the kidneys into the urine. Under the right circumstances, this could trigger a kidney stone to form. Always drink plenty of water when adding collagen to the diet."
4. It can raise calcium levels.
And it doesn't raise calcium levels in the good way. Instead, collagen can lead to hypercalcemia.
Dr Samuel Malloy, medical director at Dr Felix, says, "You may not notice if your calcium levels increase; however, if your calcium is too high, you could experience constipation, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and bone pain. This side effect occurs as many collagen tablets contain products from high-calcium marine sources — i.e., shellfish. If you experience this side effect, you may wish to consider taking an alternative collagen product."
5. It can cause allergic reactions.
"The most risky side effects of any treatment are usually allergic reactions," warns Dr. Malloy.
"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 mouth or area of skin where collagen is applied, swelling of tongue or skin, wheezing, abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms you should stop taking/using collagen immediately and seek medical attention."
6. You may be wasting your money.
Doctor and co-founder of Vous Vitamins, Arielle Levitan M.D., says it may be best to save your money and hide your wallet when it comes to supplemental collagen. Why? "There is no scientific research to suggest that this actually helps repair these tissues," she says.
"Rather, you are more likely taking a number of unknown and untested ingredients. These products are not FDA regulated and their contents are questionable in terms of efficacy and potential side effects. In my opinion, taking a personalized multivitamin with the right nutrients geared toward your diet, lifestyle and health concerns is far more likely to give you the nutrients that are the actual building blocks for these tissues.
For example, vitamin C is proven to be a needed nutrient in helping your body actually create its own collagen. This, in addition to vitamin D (also known to play a key role in facilitating the building of these body parts), and biotin is likely a more effective way of giving your body what it needs to maintain and rebuild damaged tissues such as skin, bones, cartilage and hair."
If the collagen side effects are detering you from trying the protein, there are other natural ways to encourage its healthy production.
The body makes its own collagen, but around age 35, this production begins to decline and signs of aging start to show. Sad news, indeed.
While it would be nice for our body to rev up its natural collagen production, it's only fair to wish supplements would work for our bodies. But there's hope. Rather than sit by and watch the wrinkles set in, you can actually feed your body the collagen it’s missing (a more natural way).
Collagen is not a complete protein because it lacks the essential amino acid tryptophan that our bodies need to make our own proteins. It should be consumed together with another source of protein like dairy, meat/poultry, eggs, or high quality plant proteins like legumes.
It is important (if deciding to move forward and take a collagen supplement) to have it sourced from grass fed or organic animals. "Theoretically, collagen could accumulate a certain type of pesticide commonly applied to grains that are fed to livestock," says Schoenfeld.
Another option? Bone broth. Bone broth is, by far, one of the best whole food sources of collagen, as it contains high amounts of “bioavailable” collagen.
"'Bioavailable' means the amount of a nutrient that gets absorbed and used by the body. Studies have shown that bioavailable collagen can, over time, improve collagen density in the skin," advises Delaney Lightel, who works with Bonafide Provisions.
"This will restore a smoother, more youthful appearance in the face and throughout the body. A cup a day of bone broth is all that’s needed to supply your body with collagen. And while many people just sip it straight (and it's delicious), you can use bone broth in just about any recipe that uses water, including cocktails (believe it or not)."
Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle & travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand, jetsetting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.
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