Anyone take collagen?

[TomAllenWife]

Just looking for recommendations

The absolute collagen comes up on my SM a lot but the reviews are very mixed and £66 pm is not really ideal

TIA

There's an absolute illustration of the placebo value of those things. There is no biological mechanism whereby you can notice one missed tablet.

I am familiar with the placebo effect being a scientist thank you. I do however notice achy joints return after I’ve not been taking it at all for 3 months. I’m aware that it could be age, or a number of other things, that are not related to not taking collagen. But I’m happy to keep taking it for now. I also take other supplements that I’ve put a lot of research in to.

Agreed. I am taking maca root supplement and have been advised that it takes around 12 weeks to begin seeing results.

Just coming back to this thread to say that the collagen powder I use was recommended to me by a dermatologist who also uses it. The effect on my hair was unexpected as I don’t have any thinning or anything. And yes my skin is great. It’s difficult to separate out cause and effect but I’m a weight lifter and an extra 10g of protein for only 42 calories is a worth taking a punt for. Then again my diet is pretty clean so who knows?

It’s not clear as there haven’t been any large studies but there are lots of smaller studies that suggest a benefit to skin. There’s lots on line.

I have been taking Kollo for about 5 months.. before that Absolute Collagen but it tasted vile. I think the first couple of months I noticed a difference but nothing more noticeable since. Also, I have just had a full blood work done and my doctor has advised me from taking it anymore as it can raise (and has done mine) cholesterol levels - this was a shock! At least I will now safe a small fortune each month 😆

I do, in powder form.

Not sure about skin and hair, but my nails grow very long and strong now. They always broke and were incredibly brittle before taking it, so it's definitely doing something. I'm pretty sure my hair fall has reduced too, but not sure about regrowth.

I actually find it a pain with my backs growing so quickly but that's the only downside. I'm having to get them done much more frequently.

I thought collagen had been shown to raise Hdl & reduce artery issues. I have never heard of adverse so would be interested in any papers?
Like all supplements there are pros and cons and I guess it depends which ones are most important to you on a personal level.

" as it can raise (and has done mine) cholesterol levels"

How do you know if it was the collagen that raised your cholesterol levels? They tend to raise as we get older anyway. Did you give it up and test again? Could it have been something else?

I'll have to-rethink using it. I had slightly high cholesterol last time I was tested (even though it had been within range when my diet was much worse, but I was younger).

Oh come on. You can equally argue that they say bad things about your hair to sell you expensive conditioning treatments.

@Torres10 you are correct, lots of studies here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429168/
with an abstract conclusion from this article

CTP is collagen tripeptide, another name for hydrolysed collagen.

I am using up my absolute collagen as I just can’t stand the taste and so put off taking it every day. Would sooner take capsules even if they’re less concentrated

I know this is a zombie thread but it came up in my search so adding my two pence.

I'm taking the Holland and Barrett vegan collagen. Tropical flavour. Its actually quite palatable when I mix it up as a hot squash.

My nails were already strong but together with biotin, I've noticed they literally won't bend since I've been taking them for about a month. Fingers crossed its working as I'm taking it for better hair!

I take the California Gold collagen powder.

I used to take 5g a day but have increased this to 15g a day after listening to the skin health episode of Andrew Huberman' podcast.

There's little to no evidence that taking collage works.

I tried bovine collagen for 4 months. Maybe it wasn't long enough but it had no discernible effect.

Physios recommend it though for prevention of osteoporosis, why would they do that if there is no evidence of this?

From the Royal Osteopath Society
https://theros.org.uk/latest-news/ros-comments-on-cow-collagen-supplement-for-osteoporosis/
Tldr: until further evidence is hasn't been shown to be effective

Its not about the bone density as such, as I understand it, its about the ability to support cartilage/strength

I can only say that when I started taking collagen, my skin felt very different, incredibly smooth on my arms and legs and as I eased off it (I was taking it for protein intake purposes) and didnt need so much, I noticed the skin changing again.

However as with many of these things, you can never really know.

Although this study was about the bone density itself and appears positive, although very small number of people and quite specific (spine and femur)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8441532/