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For anyone who takes collagen and has seen a difference..

77 replies

BraveOctopus · 24/05/2025 14:55

What are you taking please, and where are buying it from?

OP posts:
CapitalAtRisk · 25/05/2025 16:57

treesandsun · 25/05/2025 16:07

Did you actually read the article that you posted ? Because I can’t see anywhere in there that it says collagen supplements are a scam which is what you claimed in your posts. . It talks about being aware of how studies are carried out and whether they could be biassed which is true of absolutely anything and everything and not just collagen . Statin manufacturers fund many of the studiesused to promote them. I’m more concerned about the influence of big Pharms on what is prescribed than a collagen company claiming to help me age with fewer aches and pains.

It does suggest that it might not be particularly effective for skin which is not why I take it nr said it has improved my skin . But what it does say is “For joint health (like osteoarthritis), some evidence shows short-term pain reduction”, but the quality and quantity of the research is low. This is why I take it. Ineed a knee replacement and was in constant agony and found it difficult to sleep and walk. Since taking collagen it has improved 98% . Again – your initial posts – it’s a scam , it’s a scam – still no evidence of that. Yes, be wary of marketing claims – that is true f everything.

However, Hunter stresses that the evidence base is limited. The collagen studies the team drew on were limited in both quantity and quality (such as having small sample sizes). This is why he and colleagues didn't include collagen in a new clinical trial of complementary medicines that appear to be more promising for osteoarthritis: pine bark extract, Boswellia serrata extract and curcumin

Yes, of course I read it 🙄

treesandsun · 25/05/2025 18:49

CapitalAtRisk · 25/05/2025 16:57

However, Hunter stresses that the evidence base is limited. The collagen studies the team drew on were limited in both quantity and quality (such as having small sample sizes). This is why he and colleagues didn't include collagen in a new clinical trial of complementary medicines that appear to be more promising for osteoarthritis: pine bark extract, Boswellia serrata extract and curcumin

Yes, of course I read it 🙄

and the bit where it says it is a scam as you claim? and not just that studies are limited?

BraveOctopus · 26/05/2025 08:42

Well, I didn’t mean to cause an argument 😬But am going to start anyway and see if I do notice any differences. My diet isn’t as good as it could be but I don’t want to make bone broth etc..

Also upping my fluid intake and doing more exercise, as I’ve lost over a stone in the last 6 months and am quite slim, and it is since then that I have noticed this withered looking skin, so maybe building some muscle on my arms will help (no idea about the neck though! Looking out for some creams too if anyone can recommend any!)

OP posts:
Happyinarcon · 26/05/2025 08:50

Happywishful · 24/05/2025 20:40

I hear this is the best way to get collagen but you have to slow boil for a long time.

I use one of those instant pot pressure cookers so it takes about 3 hours, and then I judge by how jelly like it goes in the fridge as to whether I’m getting enough of the good stuff. I don’t skim any fat off though, so I’m getting collagen and fat. I heard some people simmer their broth in a slow cooker overnight and longer but I haven’t tried that myself

WhitstablePearl · 26/05/2025 09:05

Anyone seen hair regrowth? I am developing a widows peak & am hoping get the wispy hair thicker.

i’m taking bovine collegen from H&B, 4tbsp once a day (been taking it for a month).

No3392 · 26/05/2025 09:07

WhitstablePearl · 26/05/2025 09:05

Anyone seen hair regrowth? I am developing a widows peak & am hoping get the wispy hair thicker.

i’m taking bovine collegen from H&B, 4tbsp once a day (been taking it for a month).

I take biotin for this issue. I've definitely had some hair regrowth. Can't guarantee it's from the biotin though. Could be a coincidence.

psuedocream3 · 26/05/2025 09:13

Zero hair growth with collagen, it isn't used for that to be fair. I take biotin for hair growth and had the same issue as you @WhitstablePearl and I have a good inch or two regrowth in those areas now. If your iron or zinc is low, supplements for those are important too.

WhitstablePearl · 26/05/2025 09:44

Which biotins do you take @No3392& @psuedocream3?

SpongeBlobSquareFace · 26/05/2025 09:59

Wellgard Bovine Collagen
Friend who is a year younger came to visit last year and complained bitterly about how I don't have any wrinkles
It doesn't help with the sagging but it does seem to work on wrinkly skin
I'm 55

No3392 · 26/05/2025 10:06

WhitstablePearl · 26/05/2025 09:44

Which biotins do you take @No3392& @psuedocream3?

https://amzn.eu/d/buu37Ho

I take this one

Amazon.co.uk

https://amzn.eu/d/buu37Ho?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-style-and-beauty-5341226-for-anyone-who-takes-collagen-and-has-seen-a-difference

B1indEye · 26/05/2025 10:14

macrowave · 25/05/2025 01:42

This thread illustrates why AI is so bad for research.

Yes, ChatGPT told OP that collagen works, and Google AI told someone else that marine collagen is better than bovine, because they are LLMs trained on online text. That online text includes a lot of advertising copy from, you've guessed it, sites that sell collagen.

Collagen is snake oil and you're dangerously stupid if you think AI = truth.

I had no real expectations before taking collagen and didn't consult and AI and started purely out of curiosity to see if anything happened but there's no doubt that my nails are now the strongest they've been for years
.
Nothing else has changed, if it's some kind of placebo effect I'm delighted

DancingDucks · 26/05/2025 10:47

Well I moved from Ancient and Brave to Elevate three days ago and I just can't stomach it at all. I bought the unflavoured one and the smell and taste is completely unpalatable to me and actually makes me feel a bit sick, so it's back to the drawing board. I'm thinking of trying Willpowders.

BraveOctopus · 26/05/2025 11:00

macrowave · 25/05/2025 01:42

This thread illustrates why AI is so bad for research.

Yes, ChatGPT told OP that collagen works, and Google AI told someone else that marine collagen is better than bovine, because they are LLMs trained on online text. That online text includes a lot of advertising copy from, you've guessed it, sites that sell collagen.

Collagen is snake oil and you're dangerously stupid if you think AI = truth.

Actually, I asked it to find me evidence in the form of scientific research and to summarise, and then looked at it myself (it would have been a wonderfully helpful tool if available when I did dissertations!)

AI is brilliant and I use it a lot for work - in fact the company I work for is really pushing that and provides training so that all staff are aware of how to use it - but it does have limitations and it’s important to be aware of that. It depends very much on the prompts that you give it though, it has to be a collaboration really to get the best results.

OP posts:
CapitalAtRisk · 26/05/2025 11:07

treesandsun · 25/05/2025 18:49

and the bit where it says it is a scam as you claim? and not just that studies are limited?

Here you go:

Overall, many marketing claims made about oral collagen products don't stand up to scrutiny. In the European Union, "no health claims for collagen supplements have got the green light," explains Leng Heng, a senior scientific officer for human nutrition at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
EFSA is the EU agency that assesses risks related to novel foods. When they took a look at collagen, they concluded that the health claims submitted about it so far were not supported by enough high-quality evidence. They were "not sufficiently defined, lacked supporting human studies, or relied on evidence from animal and laboratory research, which cannot predict effects in humans," says Heng. She points out that claims such as the idea that collagen helps to maintain skin elasticity, or that it improves joint functioning, have not yet been demonstrated sufficiently by scientific research.

And here:

Potential industry bias is a key concern for determining rigour, Hunter says. Many collagen studies are funded by supplement companies or authored by employees of these companies. Conflicts of interest are supposed to be declared in academic papers, but this does not always happen. For example, one published paper includes five of seven authors who stated an affiliation to supplement companies, though no further information was given in the conflicts of interest section. (In response to a BBC query, the publisher of this paper, Elsevier, stated that the paper is now under investigation.)

And here:

"The reality for many of these studies is that it's hard to find any that are completely independent of industry," Hunter says. Influencers sometimes tout poor-quality research and may promote higher dosages of supplements than is recommended by health authorities. Even systematic reviews and meta-analyses – large-scale reviews of the evidence, which pull together the results of multiple studies – can be compromised by the quality of the underlying studies. Hunter and his coauthors assess the risk of bias from such studies, including industry involvement.

A red-colored drink being poured from a bottle into a glass with ice; concept is collagen drinks

Considering collagen drinks and supplements? - Harvard Health

Celebrities and influencers claim that consuming collagen could have miraculous benefits for skin, hair, and nails. But what does the science say? ...

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/considering-collagen-drinks-and-supplements-202304122911

florizel13 · 26/05/2025 12:34

DancingDucks · 24/05/2025 19:06

I've been taking Ancient & Brave for about 5 months and not feeling any difference at all, nor am I seeing any.

I bought Elevate recently and will try that when I have finished A & B.

I used Elavate for a few months and did notice a difference in my joints and nail/hair growth and possibly skin. I also confirmed with them that they don’t have any nasties in their collagen like lead and arsenic, which I read some collagens do! they also include hyaluronic acid biotin and various vitamins and minerals in the powder which is good. However they are very pushy. They made it difficult to buy one bag at a time like I wanted to, and I ended up subscribing. To get into your account with them, they email you a link each time, when I tried to change my email because my old one would shortly no longer be in use, it was almost impossible and I ended up cancelling the subscription…which they made very difficult! It’s a good product but I don’t like their sales techniques ! At the moment I’m using Nutrigeeks but that is literally just the collagen powder there’s nothing extra included. It dissolves much better than Elavate in my coffee and tastes and smells of nothing at all! Too soon to say how good it is. I’ve written a bit of an essay there!

XiCi · 26/05/2025 12:39

If you want it for skin, hair, and nails you need bovine collagen not marine collagen which is a different type of collagen that supports bone health. If you want the benefits of both types you can buy powders that are a mix of both bovine and marine. I use Wellguard bovine collagen and order from Amazon

DancingDucks · 26/05/2025 16:43

florizel13 · 26/05/2025 12:34

I used Elavate for a few months and did notice a difference in my joints and nail/hair growth and possibly skin. I also confirmed with them that they don’t have any nasties in their collagen like lead and arsenic, which I read some collagens do! they also include hyaluronic acid biotin and various vitamins and minerals in the powder which is good. However they are very pushy. They made it difficult to buy one bag at a time like I wanted to, and I ended up subscribing. To get into your account with them, they email you a link each time, when I tried to change my email because my old one would shortly no longer be in use, it was almost impossible and I ended up cancelling the subscription…which they made very difficult! It’s a good product but I don’t like their sales techniques ! At the moment I’m using Nutrigeeks but that is literally just the collagen powder there’s nothing extra included. It dissolves much better than Elavate in my coffee and tastes and smells of nothing at all! Too soon to say how good it is. I’ve written a bit of an essay there!

@florizel13 I just don't think I can stomach the Elevate one, even the unflavoured one is vile. I couldn't finish it today, I was almost retching. 😂

Tamarastar · 26/05/2025 17:01

These 2 from nature's best are the only ones I've heard of: link
www.naturesbest.co.uk/colladeen/

Changerj · 19/07/2025 11:11

Why does the NHS give patients collagen?

henlake7 · 19/07/2025 12:53

I think if you can afford it then there is no harm in giving it a go surely? Its not like there is any evidence its harmful at supplement doses.
Just be prepared to wait a long time for any results (it can take 3-12mths to see any difference IME).

I found it very helpful for my dodgy joints, skin and nails.
and even though I take marine collagen which apparently does nothing for hair Ive noticed my perimeno balding patch has started to fill in with no other changes in my life (maybe its coincidental but something worked!).

MrsGuyOfGisbo · 19/07/2025 12:59

I’ve been taking it for maybe 15 years and it definitely has made a difference when I see the skin and jointhealth when I compare with friends the same age or younger. They have wrinkles , I just have very slight laughter lines. People assume I am mid 50s-I’m 64. The skin thing is good but much better is that I am agile and never had any joint issues or stiffness.
Not generic, btw -my parents both have endless joint pain.

Melancholyflower · 19/07/2025 12:59

Changerj · 19/07/2025 11:11

Why does the NHS give patients collagen?

Would you like to expand on this?

XiCi · 23/07/2025 08:40

Changerj · 19/07/2025 11:11

Why does the NHS give patients collagen?

I didn't know that they did. I know my cousin was advised to take it by her oncologist prior to chemo to help prevent hair loss. Funnily enough she still had a full thick head of hair after the treatment. Not sure if it was coincidence or not but was definitely told to take it by the doctors

WarriorN · 11/10/2025 07:33

I’m thinking of trying some for joints. Skin would be a bonus

chat gtp has been helping a bit; it did tell me that Bovine Type II Collagen (undenatured UC-II®) has
supplements

“Strong clinical evidence for osteoarthritis & mobility - small daily dose (40 mg)”

but leaning towards bovine. Willpowers certainly have the good sell don’t they?! And won me over. Will do more research first.

I believe Marine helps skin hair etc. but so do zinc, vit c, biotin and hyralonic acid supplements. Together health do a nice one with silica too.

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