Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, which may be found in the skin, tendons, bones, and other connective tissues that keep the body together. The body’s natural collagen production decreases with age, resulting in sagging and wrinkled skin, bone loss, joint pain, and more. The body may get its collagen fix from supplements with bioactive collagen peptides, and while these dietary supplements may offer potential benefits, they may also have some adverse effects on the body.
So what are the side effects of oral collagen supplementation? These effects may concern gut health, cause kidney stones, and raise calcium levels. A patient may also experience an allergic reaction to the collagen and other unknown ingredients. Taking collagen peptides supplements may also cause a decline in serotonin levels, drug interactions, and skin breakouts. To make sure you’re getting the results you want, it would be best to consult with a trusted practitioner for the right brand and dose of collagen for you.
Possible Side Effects of Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides, also called collagen hydrolysate, are made from collagen harvested from animals, which is then heated and broken down into smaller compounds. They may have many beneficial effects, such as skin elasticity, improved joint health, bone densities, and better muscle mass.
However, they may also trigger side effects. Collagen may affect gut health, cause kidney stones, raise calcium levels, trigger allergic reactions, and alter mood. It may also contain unknown ingredients, cause drug interactions, and skin breakouts.
1) Constipation
Those taking oral collagen peptide supplementation report its bad taste. Aside from this, it may also affect the health of your gut. One of the potential side effects of these supplements is constipation, as reported by some users. This constipation may be due to taking too much protein while not having enough fluid and fiber in the gut.
2) Poor Appetite
Other patients who take hydrolyzed collagen supplements also experience a decreased appetite, while others feel bloated. This bloated feeling is due to the stomach acid’s process of breaking down the low-molecular-weight collagen peptide, resulting in more gas in the stomach. This is just one of the stomach’s digestive processes, so it should resolve shortly.
3) Diarrhea
Diarrhea is also one of the potential side effects of taking these types of collagen supplements. This is caused by the body processing more collagen proteins than it can take. The patient’s gastrointestinal tract is having a hard time breaking down the supplements. Those who experience this symptom should slow down their oral intake of collagen supplements or refrain from taking them at all.
4) Kidney Stones
Another adverse effect of oral collagen supplementation is the possibility of having kidney stones. Patients with a history of having calcium oxalate kidney stones shouldn’t take too many collagen peptide supplements. It’s best to slow down and start with about 5 to 6 grams per day, though it’s still best to consult their doctors.
Collagen peptides contain an amino acid called hydroxyproline. This amino acid may pose risks and trigger kidney stone formation. It tunes into oxalate is excreted in the urine, passing through the kidneys. If you’re incorporating collagen peptide supplements into your diet, be sure to keep yourself hydrated.
5) Rise in Calcium Levels
There are also possible risks reported that low-molecular-weight collagen peptide supplements may raise calcium levels unhealthily. Heightened calcium levels may lead to a condition called hypercalcemia. Getting this condition may also become more serious as patients don’t notice their calcium levels getting higher.
They may experience nausea, fatigue, constipation, vomiting, and bone pain. These may happen once a patient takes many collagen peptide tablets from marine sources that contain high calcium, such as shellfish.
Those who experience these effects of collagen peptides may need to switch to another product. Those who feel the same symptoms mentioned above should seek medical help. Patients must also be watchful as the effects of heightened calcium levels may differ per person.
6) Allergic Reactions
Those with food allergies should first check where their collagen peptides are harvested. If you are allergic to dairy or shellfish, taking collagen products may not be safe. Some supplements contain marine collagen peptides, which are harvested from fish or shellfish.
Other supplements are also made from eggs or harvested from cows and chickens. Those allergic to these animals may experience allergic reactions after supplementation with collagen peptide. Take an antihistamine and consult your doctor. Allergic reactions may be serious or life-threatening, especially when you’ve developed breathing problems.
7) Problems from Unknown Ingredients
Taking these supplements may be good for the dermal collagen network and promote better skin hydration, but it’s also necessary to research the product. Make sure that you’re buying a trusted product of great quality. Supplements with bioactive collagen hydrolysates aren’t FDA-regulated, so it’s not easy to tell if they’re safe and effective. Worse, they may contain ingredients harmful to you.
If you’re interested in the benefits of collagen peptides and would like to try it out, consult your doctor first and ask for recommendations of trusted products to avoid adverse events.
8) Affects Mood
Supplementation with collagen peptides may also cause mood alterations. As your collagen hydrolysate intake increases, another type of amino acid called tryptophan decreases. This deficit may result in the serotonin levels getting lower, resulting in the mood shifting to feelings of anxiety, depression, nervousness, and irritability. If you’re already suffering from a type of mood disorder, you must consider this aspect and consult your doctor.
9) Drug Interactions
Supplements with bioactive collagen hydrolysates may interact with other drugs you’re taking, rendering both medicines ineffective. That’s why patients must first consult their doctor before trying any collagen supplement to avoid interactions with other medications they’re taking.
If you experience digestive problems after taking your collagen supplement, call your doctor because that might mean your stomach couldn’t absorb the other medications you’re taking.
10) Skin Breakouts
Oral supplementation with collagen peptides is said to result in positive effects on the skin, hair, and nails as it supplies your collagen fibers. It makes your nails healthier, so it stimulates more nail growth and reduces the appearance of brittle nails. This supplement’s best selling point is also its anti-aging effects.
However, one of the rare and usually mild after-effects of collagen peptide supplements is inflammation due to the preservatives, additives, and heavy metals in the formula. As a result, patients may experience rashes and acne breakouts.
This usually happens with collagen products with poorly harvested animal products and chemical additives, such as anti-caking substances. These substances become absorbed in the body, which results in clogged and enlarged pores. That’s why it may also cause acne breakouts.
How to Take Collagen Peptides Safely
Collagen peptide supplements are usually safe, and the side effects are rare. Avoid these adverse events by consulting your healthcare provider. Take quality collagen peptide supplements that may help with several health benefits.
Although further studies still need to back these claims, collagen products offer support on the blood vessels and may promote bone health by increasing bone mineral density. It may also help ease symptoms of athletes with activity-related pain.
1) Recommended Dosage
Collagen peptide supplements may come in many forms:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Liquid
- Powders
- Injectables
The safe doses of collagen peptide supplements range from 2.5 to 10g per day for about 5 months or more. Some products and doctors may also recommend 30 grams of collagen peptide per day.
2) Choose the Right Type of Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptide supplements provide the body with an additional collagen supply to make up for the decreasing collagen production in the body. You may choose the natural way by consuming bone broth and other types of food, such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, dairy, and meat. If you’re opting to take collagen peptide supplements, you may avoid adverse effects by choosing the right product:
- Choose collagen peptide supplements with simple ingredients.
- Don’t choose flavored collagen products. The sugar from these products may give you an upset stomach and add unwanted calories. Choose plain products and just add sweeteners according to your preference.
- Check out for third-party certifications. Collagen products aren’t FDA-approved. Look for trusted groups that may have already tested the products safely.
Those who had taken oral collagen supplements for about 2 to 3 months should be said to receive only minimal health risks and more positive effects.
3) Research Your Chosen Collagen Peptides Supplement
To avoid adverse reactions, research about different brands of collagen peptides supplements. Look up their ingredients and how they source collagen from animals. Is it ethical, clean, and safe? Are you allergic to some of their animal sources? Read more on the type of collagen included in their formula and the right collagen you need. Type I and III collagen are usually for the skin, hair, and nails. Type II collagen addresses the connective tissues, such as the bones and joints. Read more product reviews on these brands, though it’s best to rely on peer-reviewed articles if available.
4) Consult Your Doctor about Collagen Peptides
Before starting collagen peptides supplements, it’s best to consult your doctor. They might recommend safer products and might consider your medical history. You will also receive better guidance, which will help avoid adverse effects.
Safe and Quality Collagen Peptide Supplements at FACE Med Store
Collagen peptide supplements may have many health benefits for the skin, hair, nails, bones, muscles, and other connective tissues. However, it also comes with several health risks if you had taken it without the guidance of your healthcare provider.
Consult your doctor and choose only the best products for your health. At FACE Med Store, we offer only the best medical supplies for health and beauty practices at affordable prices such as our selection of quality collagen peptide supplements. Get in touch with us or check out our online catalog now.
