How to Take Collagen Protein (Plus Potential Side Effects)

Collagen is the most abundant protein present in the human body. Collagen is responsible for the health of our hair, skin, nails, blood vessels, digestive system, and musculoskeletal system.

Collagen also gives our skin elasticity and helps skin cells renew. It’s what our joints and tendons are made of, making it essential for connecting our bones and enabling us to move safely. 

Collagen is comprised of 19 amino acids, called “nonessential” amino acids. Typically, our bodies would produce these amino acids on their own. However, our modern lifestyles, including constant stress and illness and an unvaried diet, can inhibit our production of these amino acids.

For this reason, supplementing with dietary collagen can preserve the health of your bones, skin, gut, and blood vessels.

If you’re thinking about adding collagen to your diet or supplement routine, there are some things you need to know. There may also be side effects to using collage protein, including anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, and other allergy symptoms.

We’ll talk about why you might want to add collagen protein to your diet, who should avoid it, and what happens if you experience side effects.

Collagen, an insoluble protein produced in the bodies of animals, is the main component of connective tissue and cartilage. It can be found in high quantities of muscle tissue as well, where it contributes to muscle elasticity.

Commercial collagen protein is generally sourced from cows, although you can also find sources from fish now too.

Collagen is extracted by cooking cartilaginous animal materials like bones, connective tissue, and skin. Therefore, collagen protein is not appropriate for those following a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, and those who are kosher.

There are several different types of collagen you can use.

Collagen is very popular right now. You’ll likely see skincare products touting the benefits of topical collagen–however, topical collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed by the skin. Your best bet to get the benefits of collagen is dietary collagen as it can be more easily absorbed by the body.

There are several different types of collagen supplements you can try.

Collagen Peptides & Hydrolyzed Collagen

This form of collagen is what you most often see in the tubs or cans on health food store shelves. Products labeled “peptides” or “hydrolysate” are the same product, made by processing collagen protein through hydrolysis. This form seems to be the most bioavailable form of collagen for our bodies.

Collagen peptides are also odorless, tasteless, and dissolves in hot or cold liquids making them ideal to add to your daily meals. Many people add collagen peptides to their cup of morning coffee. I like it in my Chocolate Cauliflower Oatmeal and Protein Coffee recipes!

Marine Collagen

Marine collagen is a form of hydrolyzed collagen is made of the scales and bones of fish and is rich in Type 1 collagen, which is the most abundant form of collagen in your body. It’s also easily digestible.

Gelatin

You probably know gelatin from eating jello-type desserts as a kid. Gelatin is derived from collagen and so it is a form of collagen. I use gelatin most often in recipes such as my Homemade Sleep Gummies or my Homemade Jello.

Collagen pills

These are simply capsules filled with collagen protein. You may opt for these if you don’t want to add collagen peptides to your drinks or food.

Collagen can be a good source of protein for those that are not strict vegetarian, vegan, or kosher. By volume, collagen is almost purely protein, although it is not a complete protein.

If you are looking for an alternative, you might consider beef protein powder which also includes collagen and is a complete source of protein.

One tablespoon of collagen contains about 6-7 grams of protein, which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Beware of the source of your collagen protein.

The Consumer Wellness Center (CWC) tested several brands of collagen protein and found that those products not sourced from organic livestock contained concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) byproducts such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, prescription drugs, and antibiotics.

The results have been questioned and the studies are currently being re-done, but it’s a good idea to look for collagen protein that is pasture-raised (or grass-fed) to avoid CAFO byproducts.

Collagen makes up about 90% of our bone mass. Therefore, collagen supplementation can likely be a key factor in promoting bone health. Studies show that supplementing with collagen can also benefit joint health by reducing joint pain and inflammation.

The amino acids glycine and proline found in collagen have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe inflamed, weak, or achy joints. Your joints are made of collagen, so ensuring you have an adequate amount will help your joints remain healthy.

The rich source of amino acids provided in collagen protein may help to rebuild joint cartilage and may also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Try this recipe for Bone Broth Rice!

See my other supplements recommendations in these articles about the best vitamins for women over 50, the best vitamins for women over 30, and the best vitamins for teenage girls.

Collagen is essential for a healthy intestinal lining. The villi in your intestinal lining are made of collagen, and collagen helps repair loose junctions in your gut. Collagen is a must-have protein for a healthy gut (see my full list of the best gut healing foods or the best leaky gut diet).

The amino acids in collagen provide soothing and reparative properties for the digestive tract. Glycine, one of the amino acids found in abundance in collagen protein, has been shown to stimulate stomach acid production thereby improving digestion and nutrient absorption.

Another clinical study showed that those who consumed collagen protein instead of other protein sources like soy and whey at breakfast time were up to 400% more satiated and ate 20% less at lunch time.

People who suffer from a histamine intolerance might have a negative reaction when consuming collagen protein. This is because of how collagen protein is formed from animal products.

It is uncommon to hear about serious side effects from collagen protein. However, quite a few patients that started consuming collagen peptides self-reported increased histamine reactions.

Likely these patients that suffered a histamine response when consuming collagen have a severe form of histamine intolerance called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

If you have a known histamine intolerance, consuming collagen protein may not be appropriate for you.

Some collage protein side effects may include:

• anxiety
• headache
• heart palpitations
• skin hives
• and other allergy symptoms

Learn more about how to naturally lower histamine levels.

A little known fact is that collagen has been used in tryptophan-depletion studies to lower serotonin levels. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin. This study goes into more detail about how collagen protein is being used to evaluate the relationship between serotonin and behavior.

So what does this mean for you?

Some patients have reported mood disorders as a negative side effect when consuming collagen protein. If you’re prone to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, then be cautious about consuming collagen protein.

The use of collagen is often prescribed for those who have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder called Leaky Gut Syndrome. But people who are sensitive to glutamine need to be cautious when consuming collagen protein. Glutamine is an amino acid that is found in abundance in collagen protein.

While glutamine is beneficial for some, others may be sensitive to it since they may suffer from a more severe case of Leaky Gut Syndrome. The reason is that high amounts of glutamic acid from glutamine may leak into the bloodstream via the compromised intestinal walls that are found in people with Leaky Gut Syndrome.

High levels of glutamic acid may trigger brain fog, migraines, headaches, mood swings, more serious mood disorders, and even seizures if you are prone to them.

You can ensure that you have an adequate supply of collagen through collagen supplementation. Keep in mind that collagen can be found in whole foods, so supplementation is not necessary with a perfect, real food diet.

But, since most of us don’t eat perfectly, you may also choose to supplement with collagen in addition to eating a healthy, whole foods diet. Those on a pescatarian diet may also choose to supplement with marine collagen to help prevent deficiencies. 

Here are five foods rich in collagen:

Bone broth and gelatin

Bone broth is the stock simmered from animal bones and cartilage.

By simmering these animal parts for 24-48 hours in water and apple cider vinegar (plus any veggies and spices you want), you create a mineral-dense broth high in gelatin, collagen, and nutrients.

Organ meats

It is no secret that organ meats from grass-fed and pasture-raised animals are some of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

One of their health benefits is collagen, which is especially abundant in tendons, bones, and joints. Organ meats are also high in Vitamin A, which boosts collagen production.

Eggs, muscle meats, and fish

Products from grass-fed, pasture-raised, and wild-caught animals and fish are naturally high in collagen.

Berries and leafy greens

These are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, both necessary cofactors for collagen bioavailability. Antioxidants from these foods also provide anti-aging benefits.

Spirulina

This dried algae is a great source of collagen building blocks for vegetarians and vegans. It contains amino acids like glycine to promote collagen production.

But, don’t be fooled by products that are marketed as vegan or vegetarian sources of collagen. Spirulina is an example of a plant-based food source that can promote collagen, but it is not an actual source of collagen.