Are Collagen Supplements Safe? A Closer Look at the Latest Evidence

14 October 2024

When used as directed, collagen supplements rarely cause any side effects. Even if some users develop side effects, they are mild. That said, it’s best to avoid these products if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as evidence is limited.

Collagen Supplements Have An Excellent Safety Profile, According to Recent Studies

Numerous high-quality studies, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses—the highest level of scientific evidence—have established collagen supplements as safe.

For example, according to a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis, marine collagen and collagen peptides have an exceptional safety profile. (1)

Does this mean collagen from other sources is harmful? Definitely not..

A 2022 review in the journal Dermatology Practical and Conceptual failed to find any documented side effects of oral collagen. (2)

Also Read: Tendon injury recovery: How combining collagen supplementation with shockwave therapy can help patients recover faster

Collagen Side Effects

Some users may experience mild and transient reactions, such as:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Feeling of a heavy stomach
  • Rashes
  • Headache
  • Acne breakouts
  • Skin inflammation

When you take a collagen supplement and experience some reactions, it might not be entirely due to the collagen. Supplements usually contain other ingredients that might be the real culprit.

For example, there’s a possibility that collagen supplements may contain pesticides, heavy metals, and other harmful substances including disease-causing microorganisms.

Thus, taking a collagen supplement from a reputed manufacturer is paramount.

Oral Collagen Supplementation and Allergies

Anyone with allergies to animal sources or sulphites shouldn’t take collagen supplements. Animal sources include fish, beef, chicken, shellfish, eggs, and others.

Experts estimate 2 to 4% of the population have some form of allergies to bovine collagen. (3) On the other hand, porcine collagen is unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction, as it is almost identical to human collagen. (4)

Likewise, fish-derived collagen usually causes an immediate allergic reaction.

Few case reports have found severe allergic reactions to collagen supplements. Fortunately, these cases were successfully treated with steroids and appropriate wound care management.

Oral Collagen Supplementation and Pregnancy

Limited information is available about the effect of oral collagen in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Until definitive findings from extensive studies are available, it’s best to avoid oral collagen supplements during pregnancy and lactation.

Do Oral Collagen Supplements Interact With Medicines?

To date, there have been no documented interactions of collagen supplements with medicines. (5)

Do Collagen Supplements Cause Cancer?

There’s no evidence to suggest that collagen supplements cause cancer.

Naturally occurring collagen has been shown to promote tumour growth and help cancer cells spread. However, this collagen isn’t the same as the one in a supplement. (6) Recall that collagen isn’t a single protein; there are nearly 30 different types of collagen.

Summary

Collagen supplements are extremely safe.  There are multiple brands on the market, predominantly tablets with some sachets, liquids and powdered forms.  We are not aware of incidences of collagen having a negative impact and we consider them extremely safe as ultimately, our products are derived from food sources rather than any chemical compounds.

At Clinic Nutrition, at the time this article is written we have collagen in three products containing collagen.  Cartonica for joints (type 1 – bovine source), Cutizana for beauty (types 1 & 3 – fish) and Physicoll (types 1, 2, 3 and 5 – fish, bovine and egg). 

If you have a medical condition, always discuss with your doctors.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.

References:

  1. Pu, Szu-Yu et al. “Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Nutrients vol. 15,9 2080. 26 Apr. 2023, doi:10.3390/nu15092080
  2. Al-Atif, Hend. “Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: A Paradigm Shift in the Fields of Dermatology and Cosmetics.” Dermatology practical & conceptual vol. 12,1 e2022018. 1 Jan. 2022, doi:10.5826/dpc.1201a18
  3.  Bovine collagen allergy. (n.d.). https://www.aaaai.org/allergist-resources/ask-the-expert/answers/2022/bovine
  4. Wang, Hsiuying. “A Review of the Effects of Collagen Treatment in Clinical Studies.” Polymers vol. 13,22 3868. 9 Nov. 2021, doi:10.3390/polym13223868
  5. Martini, N. (2019). Potion or Poison? Collagen supplements. Journal of Primary Health Care, 11(4), 385. https://doi.org/10.1071/hc15947
  6. Xu, Shuaishuai et al. “The role of collagen in cancer: from bench to bedside.” Journal of translational medicine vol. 17,1 309. 14 Sep. 2019, doi:10.1186/s12967-019-2058-1