• It’s a Cookbook
    It’s a Philosophy
    It’s a Resource
logologologologo
  • FoodTrients 101 –
  • News –
      • Age Gracefully with Grace O
      • Ginger Hultin, Nutrition
      • Mark Rosenberg, MD
      • Robert Tostado, MD
      • Anti-Aging –
      • Beauty –
      • Food –
      • Health –
      • Exercise –
      • Celiac –
      • Life Extension
      • Books We Love –
      • FoodTrients Guides –
      • Newsletter –
      • capsule full of good foodAre Supplements Safe for You?
      • woman doing yogaSecrets of the Lymphatic System
      • woman fanning herselfWomen, Food, and Hormones: A Plan
      • "collagen" written on a chalkboardSave Your Eyes with Collagen
  • Recipes –
    • SEARCH BY:

      • Category:

      • Starters –
      • Soups –
      • Salads –
      • Main Dishes –
      • Sides –
      • Desserts –
      • Drinks –
      • Extras –
      • Spice Mixes –
      • All Recipes –
      • Or Search By:

      • Anti-inflammatory –
      • Antioxidant –
      • Beauty –
      • Detox –
      • Disease Prevention –
      • Gut Health –
      • Immunity Booster –
      • Mind –
      • Strength –
      • buffalo meat slidersBuffalo Sliders with Cranberries
      • exotic fruit and granolaExotic Fruit Salad with Granola
      • chocolate mousseDark Chocolate Mousse
      • Green Tea NoodlesGreen Tea Noodles with Edamame
  • Resources –
  • About –
  • Shop –
  • Media –
  • Home Page
  • News
    • Age Gracefully
    • Anti-Aging
    • Beauty
    • Food
    • Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
    • Health
    • Newsletter
  • Recipes
    • Starters
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Extras
    • Spice Mixes
  • Resources
    • Anti-Aging Resources
    • Health
    • Eating Well
    • Books We Love
  • About
    • About Grace O
    • Experts and Advisors
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
  • Shop
  • Media
    • In the Media
    • Press Releases
    • Videos
            No results See all results
            ✕
                      No results See all results

                      Can Collagen Help You Look & Feel Younger?

                      Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

                      Fresh spinach on rustic wooden background

                      You may have noticed collagen being sold in supplements, in protein powders, and taken as a boost to health. A hot trend right now, collagen in the diet has been around for a long time . . .  as long as there have been animals, in fact. Collagen is the main protein in connective tissue and the most abundant protein in the body in all mammals. It is a structural component of cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bones, teeth, and skin. So why are people including it in their smoothies?

                      At its foundation, collagen is a protein so it can supplement the human diet like any other type of protein. You will find it packaged like other protein powders on store shelves. Collagen is what gelatin is made of so products that are thickened with gelatin like Jell-O or pudding often contain collagen. But it may have health promoting benefits as well for specific disease states.

                      Medicinally, collagen is used for:

                      • Treating arthritis including rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, gouty, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
                      • Post-surgical joint pain
                      • Post-traumatic pain
                      • Back neck pain

                      Pumpkin SeedsCollagen exists in many forms including types I, II and III which you may see on labels and supplements. Collagen is made by the body until the mid to late 20’s at which point production declines. A lack of collagen can cause visible signs of aging in the form of wrinkles in the skin. It may seem like a simple solution to take collagen supplements, but there is some evidence that when mixed into juice and taken orally, it is not well absorbed or utilized by the body in a way that could be supportive of health (or in a way that fixes wrinkles).

                      Despite health claims, there is insufficient reliable evidence to identify if using collagen is helpful in treating arthritis, pain, or helping the skin. There have been some studies that show improvements in study participant rating of joint pain and tenderness, but no actual improvement in x-ray images of joints. Other studies show conflicting data, with some participants reporting improvements and others not.

                      The good news is that you can get collagen or collagen precursors into your diet naturally, without supplements. Bone broth, wild salmon, blue-green algae like chlorella, dark leafy greens, citrus, bell pepper, strawberries, blueberries and tomatoes, eggs, garlic, and pumpkin seeds all either contain collagen or other nutritional factors that are required for the body to make it and support skin health like vitamin C, Vitamin E and zinc.

                      Because collagen is a natural protein that exists in all of us, it is deemed safe when taken orally in doses up to 2.5 mg per day. Studies have researched this use for up to 24 weeks so currently, that is the known safety limit for use. Collagen is not appropriate for vegans or vegetarians because it is animal derived; sometimes chicken sternum which is ground and mixed into liquid such as orange juice. The only adverse effects that have been reported in studies are mild gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach upset, vomiting, a bloated feeling, nausea, and burping.

                      How do you use collagen as a supplement? Let us know about your experience in the comments!

                      RESOURCES
                      Natural Medicines Database. Collagen. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=714 Updated 2/14/2015. Accessed 9/17/17

                      Xie Q, Shi R, Xu G, et al. Effects of AR7 Joint Complex on arthralgia for patients with osteoarthritis: results of a three-month study in Shangai, China. Nutr J. 2018:7-31.

                      Share
                      Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
                      Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
                      Ginger Hultin, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, is a health writer and owner of Champagne Nutrition specializing in integrative health and whole food-based nutrition. She serves as Immediate Past President for the Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chair-Elect of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group and is a Media Representative for the Illinois Academy. Read Ginger's blog, Champagne Nutrition, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Ginger Hultin MS RD CSO LDN gingerhultin@hotmail.com | @GingerHultinRD Chair-Elect, Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group ChampagneNutrition.com

                      Sign Up to get our
                      NEWSLETTER FREE

                      Select list(s) to subscribe to


                      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: FoodTrients, 14011 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA, 91423, http://www.foodtrients.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

                      Latest Articles

                      • 0
                        Beneficial Saffron Is the ‘Queen of Spices’
                        August 17, 2022
                      • Walking May Help Reshape Damaged Heart Tissue
                        August 16, 2022
                      • Meloniscious! How To Pick (and Eat) Perfect Melons
                        August 15, 2022
                      • Top Ten Foods to Help Prevent Breast Cancer
                        August 15, 2022
                      • Ramp Up the Flavor with Wild Boar Kebabs
                        August 15, 2022

                      SEE MORE

                      ABOUT

                      • Grace O
                      • Our Experts
                      • FoodTrients
                      • Board of Advisors
                      • FAQs

                      EXPLORE

                      • Age Gracefully by Grace O
                      • News
                      • Recipes
                      • Our Guides
                      • Resources
                      • Shop
                      • Media

                      CONNECT

                      • Contact Us
                      • Subscribe
                      • Facebook
                      • Pinterest
                      • Instagram
                      • Twitter
                      • YouTube

                      SIGN UP for our NEWSLETTER

                      Nourish your week! Get the latest wellness news and delicious recipes to help you age better.

                      Select list(s) to subscribe to


                      By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: FoodTrients, 14011 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA, 91423, http://www.foodtrients.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

                      FoodTrients Trademark™ and copyright © 2011-2022 Triple G Enterprises. I Terms and Conditions I Privacy

                      This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. FoodTrients – A Recipe for Aging Beautifully Grace O, author and creator of FoodTrients® -- a philosophy, a cookbook and a resource -- has a new cookbook dedicated to age-defying and delicious recipes, The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, which provides one hundred-plus recipes that promote health and well-being. The recipes are built on foundations of modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world. Since the publication of her first anti-aging book, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, Grace O has identified eight categories of FoodTrients benefits (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Disease Prevention, Beauty, Strength, Mind, and Weight Loss) that are essential to fighting aging, which show how specific foods, herbs, and spices in the recipes help keep skin looking younger, prevent the diseases of aging, and increase energy and vitality. Grace O combines more exotic ingredients that add age-fighting benefits to familiar recipe favorites.

                                No results See all results