How Often Should I Take Collagen?

Collagen supplements can do a lot to improve your health and well-being. Collagen is one of your body's most abundant proteins, helping with skin elasticity, joint ligaments and more. Daily collagen packs are a fantastic way to take advantage of the benefits and combat age-related collagen depletion.

But how much should you take?

Determining Proper Dosage

There are no official guidelines on how much collagen you should take as a supplement. It largely depends on the type of collagen you use and the purpose of the supplement.

A couple of primary forms of collagen exist for supplements. These include hydrolyzed and undenatured collagen.

Hydrolyzed

Hydrolyzed collagen is the most prevalent. It typically comes from animal sources like bovine and seafood. Manufacturers break down the collagen into more absorbable peptide particles. It gets into your body more efficiently.

You're most likely to find hydrolyzed collagen in beauty products and supplements. For example, it comes in powder form in collagen packs that you can add to drinks.

Recent clinical studies found that doses between 2.5 and 15 grams are safe and effective. Generally, the lower end of the dosing spectrum is for skin health, hydration and joint pain. Meanwhile, the upper end of the dosing scale is for boosting bone density, muscle mass and overall body composition.

Undenatured Collagen

Undenatured collagen is raw and comes from chicken cartilage. It interacts with the immune system as it moves through your digestive tract. Because it's not as easily absorbed, undenatured collagen is sometimes the form of choice for joint supplements. Thought hydrolyzed collagen can also provide joint benefits.

The ideal dosing for undenatured collagen is around 10 to 40 milligrams.

Follow Manufacturer Suggestions

Ultimately, looking at the manufacturer's recommendations is the best way to know how much of a supplement you should take. Supplement makers produce products based on specific dosing. Follow the instructions to a tee, and you should do well.

Taking more than what you're supposed to isn't a good idea. While collagen is safe, too much could mess up your appetite and cause stomach upsets.

Read a similar article about digestion supplements here at this page.