The Top Collagen Supplements For Women (Reviewed!)

Collagen is the main component of connective tissue, which provides support to our bodies. Collagen fibers are found within skin, bone, ligaments and muscles. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and this can result in weak connective tissues and saggy or wrinkled skin.

The best way to maintain healthy skin is by eating a diet rich in protein; especially sources such as fish and chicken that contain the amino acids glycine and proline.

Collagen supplements may also be beneficial for women who don't eat enough protein-rich foods since they contain the building blocks needed to create new collagen fibers.

Collagen supplements are sold in both pill and powder form. The benefits of taking either type of supplement can be similar, but there are a few differences to consider before making your selection.

Pills offer the convenience of being taken quickly, but they don't mix well with other substances, including water. As a result, they tend to taste very strong and may be difficult for some people to choke down. Powders can be mixed into practically any drink or food, but this also means it is easy for users to accidentally overdose on their dose if they aren't careful about measuring correctly.

Some women find that powder forms cause stomach irritation or gas after only a few weeks of use. Some studies have shown that capsules or pills may not properly absorb into the body's tissues compared to powders, which must first dissolve in liquid before being absorbed through the mucous membranes lining the mouth and throat. However, powders tend to leave an unpleasant aftertaste and require more effort on your part when it comes time to take them each day.

As mentioned before, the human body makes small amounts of collagen, but as we age and make less of it, wrinkles and sagging skin become apparent. Collagen supplements are a popular way to give your body the boost it needs so you can look younger for longer.

Collagen is a protein found in connective tissue such as cartilage, bone marrow, ligaments and tendons. When there's not enough collagen in your system (usually due to poor diet), your body draws on other sources adding collagen like the skin to get what it needs. This leads to dryness and wrinkles.

Taking a collagen supplement should counteract this by giving your body exactly what it needs without depleting its resources further. Depending on which formula you choose, you'll usually get 5-10 grams daily of hydrolyzed bovine or other marine collagen or collagens along with smaller doses of vitamins C and E as well as other antioxidants that promote healthy skin cell growth.

While there haven't been any major clinical studies done on whether or not these supplements actually work when taken long term (ideally at least six months), many people report seeing improvements after just three months including smoother skin with fewer fine lines or under eye bags; stronger hair; healthier nails; better joint mobility; firmer breasts; improved sleep patterns; heightened energy levels; clearer thinking abilities and reduced PMS symptoms among others.

We can't speak to the effectiveness of supplemental collagen in reducing belly fat, but we do know that it can help reduce stretch marks. Collagen is a type of fiber found in the connective tissues of our bodies – including the skin. Our bodies produce some collagen, but as we age and our bodies face various stresses from diet and exercise to genetics and environment, our collagen production may decrease.

When you have less collagen available for your connective tissues (including your skin), you're more likely to experience cellulite and stretch marks. While there are topical solutions for reducing cellulite, such as creams containing caffeine or retinol, many women also use oral supplements like fish oil or vitamin E to help their skin look better overall.

The same goes for stretch marks. If you notice them forming on your stomach after pregnancy or weight loss, a supplement that includes both amino acids (the building blocks of protein) along with essential fatty acids (which keep your skin looking plump) may be beneficial in helping them fade faster.

It's worth noting that while these ingredients can work together effectively when taken orally over time, we haven't seen any studies showing how well they work topically applied directly to the affected area immediately following stretching or pregnancy symptoms.

While there isn't much research on the effects of long-term use (more than 12 weeks or so), some believe that collagen supplements may help treat joint pain, osteoporosis, and other bone conditions.

In a clinical trial published in 2016, 54 women with osteoporosis were given 2.2 g of chicken type I collagen for 12 weeks. Researchers found that this dosage resulted in significantly improved bone mineral density compared to the control group who received a placebo.

In another study from 2013 involving 100 participants with joint pain, those who took 3 g of type II collagen every day for three months had significant improvements in pain and joint function compared to those taking a placebo.

The best time to begin taking collagen supplements is any time after the age of 30. Collagen production naturally slows down as we age, so it's a good idea for women to start supplementing their diets starting in their 30s. While it won't completely reverse the signs of aging, consistent supplementation can help support collagen production and keep skin looking younger and healthier for a longer period of time.

While there's no evidence that certain ages require specific types of collagen, we recommend choosing one specifically designed for your age range when first starting out. This way you'll be sure you're getting the right type without having to do too much research beforehand.

While most people can take collagen supplements, there are some exceptions. People who have a hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the product should not take it.

Collagen is derived from animals, so it may contain trace amounts of dairy or other animal products that could trigger an allergic reaction in someone with a severe sensitivity.

People who have hemochromatosis should avoid taking supplemental collagen because their bodies already have too much iron. People with juvenile diabetes should also avoid supplemental collagen because it contains protein and could affect blood sugar levels.

It depends on the results you're looking for and how well your skin absorbs the product. For collagen creams, serums, and moisturizers that are applied to healthy skin verisol collagen, research shows it may take up to three months before you start seeing any improvement in wrinkles and tone. 

Other products containing peptides or hyaluronic acid may work more quickly because they penetrate below the surface of your skin to fill in fine lines and wrinkles.

If you want a more immediate result, injectable collagen is likely your best option. According to studies done by the Mayo Clinic, this type of treatment can give you noticeable improvements in your skin after just two weeks - although these results tend to fade over time unless additional treatments are had. 

Injectable form collagen supplements works by temporarily filling in deep wrinkles with a volume substance like HA filler or Perlane. The effects last anywhere from six months to a year depending on the product used and individual factors such as age and genetics.

It's important not to confuse injectable treatments with oral supplements like pills or powders which don't provide long-lasting benefits because they're metabolized too quickly by your body once they're consumed. 

These can be useful if you have trouble getting enough protein into your diet but we wouldn't recommend them as a primary source of extra collagen unless recommended by your doctor or other medical professional who knows what health conditions (such as malabsorption) could be worsened by taking an oral supplement alongside everything else you eat throughout the day.

Generally speaking, the best type of collagen powders to take is one that contains joint-building hydrolyzed collagen. This is because hydrolyzed gelatin is easier for your body to digest and absorb compared to regular gelatin.

Collagen is another form of protein so it can help stave off muscle cramps, especially those that plague you when you're asleep. It's also important for building skin tissue and keeping your hair healthy and shiny. However, some types of collagen are healthier than others so it pays to do a little research before buying any products.

While there isn't a lot of research in this area, the small amount that does exist suggests that it can.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that women who took 3 grams of collagen for four weeks lost weight and improved their mood.

Those who took a placebo did not experience either benefit. A similar study from 2014 also found that taking 9 grams of collagen per day led to more weight loss than taking 3 grams per day.

The amino acids in collagen are the building blocks for many of the hormones and neurotransmitters that keep our bodies running smoothly. Collagen is most commonly associated with providing the raw materials needed to produce new bone and cartilage, but it also contributes to production of some other important compounds.

Some research suggests that supplementing with collagen may improve estrogen levels by providing more raw materials needed to produce it. Other animal studies have found that supplementing with additional collagen resulted in lower blood pressure, which is often associated with higher estrogen levels.

However, there have been no human clinical trials performed that specifically tested whether supplementing with collagen improved estrogen levels over time or otherwise impacted hormone status in women.

Collagen is found in many foods, but the most common sources of it are meat, fish and dairy. These foods contain both types of collagen: type I and type III. Type I is broken down more quickly than type III, so it's not as collagen supplements beneficial for skin health. However, it does improve joint health because it helps increase blood circulation in the area.

The best sources of type III collagen include bone broth; eggshells; shiitake mushrooms; watermelon; tomato juice; raw spinach leaves; pumpkin seeds; collard greens; hemp seeds and sesame seeds.

The recommended dosage for collagen is anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 mg per day. It's best to take it with a meal since the enzymes in your stomach are needed to help break down the gelatin base. This will allow it to be absorbed better into your body.

If you're just starting out with collagen supplements, we recommend taking one capsule every other day or so at first until you see how your body responds. Then you can increase the dosage as needed based on any desired benefits that may arise – like joint pain relief or improved sleep quality.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before beginning any new supplement routine just in case there are potential drug interactions or other health concerns they'd like you to consider first.

The benefits of collagen supplementation are numerous, and include better joint health, hair and nail growth, clearer skin, improved sleep, and even weight loss.

Collagen is the protein that gives muscles their shape as well as strength and flexibility; however it degrades over time as we age, which affects a person's mobility. 

By increasing intake of supplemental forms of collagen such as hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides or gelatin capsules, you can help alleviate joint pain caused by poor muscle tone.

People often experience brittle nails when they're under stress or lack certain nutrients in their diet. Increasing your intake of collagen through supplements can help protect your fingernails from breakage while also promoting nail growth. 

As long as you follow the recommended dosage for any supplement you choose to take, it won't cause excess bloating or gas.

While the side effects of collagen supplements may not be as common or severe compared to other protein sources, they may still occur. The most common side effects of other supplements include:

Gas and bloating – If you're new to the world of supplemental collagen, it can take your body some time to adjust. In addition to a supplement, many people choose to add additional gelatin-based foods into their diet such as powdered broth or Jell-O. 

It's important to remember that while these foods are great sources of additional protein, they also contain lots of water and fat which can lead to gas and bloating if you aren't used to them. Eat these foods in moderation until your system gets used to them.

Constipation – As with any fiber supplement, adding more fiber into your diet can lead to constipation if you aren't properly increasing the amount of water you consume at the same time. Avoid this issue by drinking plenty of water along with your fiber source. 

Some people also find relief in adding a little bit of salt into their diet for an added bonus effect on water retention within the body.