Can collagen pills, gummies, drinks, and bars really reduce wrinkles and improve your appearance? Here’s the lowdown on their safety and effectiveness.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
There’s lots of buzz these days over collagen supplements… in the form of pills, powders, gummies, drinks, and bars. They’re promoted by celebrities and others on social media to make skin younger looking, hair thicker, and nails stronger. Is collagen really a fountain of youth or just a mirage? Find out, on this episode of The Healthy Skeptic.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It forms our connective tissue,
Including the skin, helping to keep it firm. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, resulting in sagging and wrinkles.
Collagen supplements are typically made from animals or fish in a form known as collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen, which is relatively well absorbed.
Research, most of it in women, suggests that collagen supplements produce modest improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkles.
But there are some caveats.
Studies tend to be small, and many are funded by companies that sell collagen supplements. What’s more different studies have used different formulations and doses, so it’s not clear which are optimal. And it can take several months to see results.
When it comes to hair and nails. There’s less evidence of any benefits.
Collagen is generally thought to be safe, though it can cause stomach upset and allergic reactions in some people.
Because collagen and other supplements are only loosely regulated,
There’s no guarantee that they contain what’s listed on the label and are free of impurities. So, look for a trusted brand or recommendations by consumerlab.com, an independent group that tests supplements.
There are also things you can do to protect your body’s collagen, including eating a healthy diet with adequate protein, using sun protection, getting enough sleep, and not smoking. Even the most effective supplement is no substitute for those measures.
Helping you be a healthy skeptic, I’m Robert Davis.