Starting collagen supplements requires careful consideration of potential side effects. While studies indicate no major adverse effects, it’s crucial to check for allergies and begin with a low dose. Gradual incorporation into the diet and taking supplements with food can help avoid stomach upset. Those pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or with chronic health conditions should seek medical advice. Quality and contamination concerns can be addressed by checking the provided links.
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Are There Any Side Effects to Collagen Supplements?
Transcript
When you start a new supplement like collagen, do you think about potential side effects? As a nutritionist and collagen expert? I hear concerns about side effects so often, so let’s dive into the possible side effects and be sure to stay to the end for some tips on how to avoid them. When we’re thinking of taking anything new, like a new vitamin or supplement, sometimes it can feel a bit like a balancing act, like we’re on a tightrope. On one hand you hear about all the benefits and you think that’s great, I really wanna take that. But then on the other hand, you think about all the risks and maybe there’s hesitation. So what about with collagen supplements? Is there anything that you need to worry about? Well, the good news is in my review of dozens and dozens of studies, all report no adverse side effects. So that means that collagen is generally really well tolerated. There’s no major side effects to worry about with collagen supplements, but there’s a few things that I wanted to mention. The first is, it goes without saying if you have allergies, just remember that collagen is sourced from animals, so it could be sourced from beef or pork or fish. So just double check the source to make sure that you’re not taking something that you’re allergic to. Also, some people find when they’re starting any new supplement, they can start to experience a little bit of GI upset, and that can be discouraging. Sometimes people blame the supplement, but really your body just needs time to get used to taking something new. So I always recommend starting slow and gradually incorporating it into your diet. If you’ve never taken collagen before, don’t start with a full dose, but maybe start with a quarter and then a half and then a full, and work your way up to that full dose over the course of a week or so. Also, stay within the recommended dose and be sure to take your supplements like collagen with food, especially in the beginning, to minimize any sort of stomach upset. Also, it goes without saying, but if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding taking a medication or dealing with a chronic health condition, just talk to your doctor. It’s always a good idea to let your practitioner know about any new supplements that you’re interested in. So are there any side effects to worry about with collagen? Are you walking that tightrope? Not really. Collagen is really well tolerated and studies report no adverse side effects, so that’s great news. The main takeaway is make sure you start slow and gradually incorporate it into your diet. Now, along with side effects, another concern I get asked about is quality and contamination. If you want more information on collagen supplements and the risk of potential contaminants, check out the links in the description down below.