FECY Collagen Powder Pure

Collagen is a key component in bones, skin, muscles, and other body parts. It may help improve skin health, relieve joint pain, and prevent bone loss, among other things.

Collagen is a protein. Your body makes it, and it’s important for healthy joints, skin, bones, muscles, and more. But as you age — just when it’s harder for your body to make collagen — the collagen you have begins to break down. So, you may be considering collagen supplements and wondering how much they really help.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundantTrusted Source protein in your body. It’s the main component of connective tissues that make up several body parts, including tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles. It has many important functions, including providing your skin with structure and strengthening your bones.

You can get collagen from foods like pork skin and bone broth, but collagen supplements have also become popular. Most are hydrolyzed, which means the collagen has been broken down to make it easier to absorb.

These supplements come primarily in powder form but are also available in capsules. The types of collagen found in supplements vary — some contain one or two types, while others contain up to five

1. May improve skin health

Collagen is a major component of your skin. It plays a role in strengthening skin, as well as in elasticity and hydration. As you age, your body produces less collagenTrusted Source, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles.

Several studies have shown that collagen peptides or supplements containing collagen may help slow the aging of your skin by reducing wrinkles and dryness. One review of 26 studiesTrusted Source focusing mostly on women found that taking 1–12 grams of collagen per day for 4–12 weeks led to improvements in skin elasticity and hydration.

These supplements may workTrusted Source by stimulating your body to produce collagen and other proteins that help structure your skin, including elastin and fibrillin.

There are also many anecdotal claims that collagen supplements help prevent acne and other skin conditions, but these aren’t supported by scientific evidence.

2. May relieve joint pain

As you age, the amount of collagen in your body decreases, and your risk increases for joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. Some studies suggest that collagen supplements may help improveTrusted Source symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce overall joint pain.

A review of studies in people with osteoarthritis found that taking collagen led to significant improvementsTrusted Source in joint stiffness but not pain or functional limitation.

Researchers suggest supplemental collagen may accumulate in cartilage and stimulate your tissues to make collagen which may lead toTrusted Source lower inflammation, better joint support, and reduced pain. But evidence is needed to recommend collagen as a treatment for osteoarthritis.

3. May prevent bone loss

Your bones are made mostly of collagen. As you age, collagen deteriorates, and your bone mass decreases. This may lead toTrusted Source conditions such as osteoporosis, which is characterized by low bone density and a higher risk of bone fractures.

Research suggestsTrusted Source collagen supplements may help inhibit the bone breakdown that leads to osteoporosis.

In a 12-month study of postmenopausal women, some took a calcium and vitamin D supplement with 5 grams of collagen and others took a calcium and vitamin D supplement with no collagen daily.

Those taking the calcium, vitamin D, and collagen supplement had significantly lowerTrusted Source blood levels of proteins that promote bone breakdown and less loss of mineral bone density than those who took only the calcium and vitamin D.

Another study found similar results in 66 postmenopausal women who took 5 grams of collagen daily for 12 months. Participants who took the collagen had an increase of up to 7%Trusted Source in their bone mineral density (BMD), a measure of the density of minerals in bones.

However, more human studies are needed.

4. May boost muscle mass

As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen is an important component of skeletal muscle.

In a 12-week study, 26 older men with sarcopenia took 15 grams of collagen while participating in an exercise program. Compared to men who exercised but didn’t take collagen, they gained significantly more muscle massTrusted Source and strength.

However, more research is necessary to prove collagen’s potential to boost muscle mass.

5. May promote heart health

Researchers have theorized that collagen supplements may help reduce the risk of heart conditions.

Collagen provides structure to your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

Without enough collagen, arteries may become less flexible and elastic, which may lead to atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by the narrowing of your arteries. This condition may cause heart attack and stroke.

In a 6-month study, 30 healthy adults took 16 grams of collagen daily. They had experienced a significant reduction in measures of artery stiffness from the study’s beginning to its end (18Trusted Source).

Additionally, their levels of HDL (good) cholesterol rose by an average of 6%Trusted Source. HDL is an important factor in the risk of heart conditions, including atherosclerosis, though more research is needed.

6. May improve gut health

Although no randomized controlled trials support this claim, some health professionals report that collagen supplements can treat leaky gut syndrome, also called intestinal permeability. Individuals report collagen helps, but research is needed.

7. May strengthen your hair and nails

Taking collagen may increase the strengthTrusted Source of your nails. While more research is needed to support collagen’s effect on hair, people report that taking collagen may help your hair avoid breaking as easily.

8. May help maintain brain health

While no studies have examined the role of collagen supplements in brain health, some people claim that they improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.

9. May help support weight loss

Proponents believe that collagen supplements may promote weight loss and faster metabolism. However, no studies support these claims. Although these potential effects are promising, more research is needed before formal conclusions can be made.

5. May promote heart health

Researchers have theorized that collagen supplements may help reduce the risk of heart conditions.

Collagen provides structure to your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

Without enough collagen, arteries may become less flexible and elastic, which may lead to atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by the narrowing of your arteries. This condition may cause heart attack and stroke.

In a 6-month study, 30 healthy adults took 16 grams of collagen daily. They had experienced a significant reduction in measures of artery stiffness from the study’s beginning to its end (18Trusted Source).

Additionally, their levels of HDL (good) cholesterol rose by an average of 6%Trusted Source. HDL is an important factor in the risk of heart conditions, including atherosclerosis, though more research is needed.

6. May improve gut health

Although no randomized controlled trials support this claim, some health professionals report that collagen supplements can treat leaky gut syndrome, also called intestinal permeability. Individuals report collagen helps, but research is needed.

7. May strengthen your hair and nails

Taking collagen may increase the strengthTrusted Source of your nails. While more research is needed to support collagen’s effect on hair, people report that taking collagen may help your hair avoid breaking as easily.

8. May help maintain brain health

While no studies have examined the role of collagen supplements in brain health, some people claim that they improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.

9. May help support weight loss

Proponents believe that collagen supplements may promote weight loss and faster metabolism. However, no studies support these claims. Although these potential effects are promising, more research is needed before formal conclusions can be made.

Collagen Powder Benefits

Because it makes up so many critical parts of our bodies, collagen is not only beneficial but also essential for maintaining good health. But scientists are still debating the benefits of collagen powder and other collagen supplements. While there's reasonable evidence that they help maintain hydrated skin and relieve osteoarthritis pain, we need more studies into less well-understood benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Here are some commonly cited benefits of collagen supplements:

Stronger bones. As you age, your bones become less dense and more brittle, breaking more easily and taking longer to heal. Some research has found that taking daily collagen powder could help make your bones denser, slowing the aging process that makes them brittle and helping your body produce new bone.

Skin elasticity and hydration. Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity in older people. They might also help lessen wrinkles.

Thicker hair. While more men go bald, many women also have hair loss or thinning as they age. In one study, a group of women with thinning hair saw significant increases in their hair's quantity, scalp coverage, and thickness while taking daily collagen supplements.

Healthier nails. Some people's nails break more easily than others and don't grow as fast. One study in a group of women showed faster nail growth and fewer broken or chipped nails after only 4 weeks of daily collagen supplements.

Reduced osteoarthritis pain. For people with knee osteoarthritis, collagen supplements might act as a mild pain reliever and improve joint function. It may take about 3-5 months of daily treatment before you see these improvements.

Increased muscle mass. One small study found that men who took collagen peptide supplements during a 12-week strength training program saw more increases in muscle mass and strength than those who didn't.

Improved heart health. Collagen helps keep the shape of your arteries and blood vessels. When you lack collagen, your arteries may weaken. Fragile blood vessels increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A small study done on healthy people found that collagen powder kept arteries healthier and helped reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

Keep in mind that after you take a collagen supplement, your digestive system breaks it down into amino acids. Your body then puts these amino acids together to form new proteins. They may not contain the same amino acids that were in the supplement you took. So, no matter what the label may say, you can't target their benefits to certain areas like skin, hair, or joints.

1. Supplements Help Replace What’s Naturally Lost Through Aging

Collagen is the “glue” that holds your body together, says Angelone. It makes up about 30 percent of the protein in your body, per the Cleveland Clinic. Thing is, she says, your body produces less collagen starting in your thirties and forties. Collagen peptides added to your diet may serve to replace what your body begins to lack as you age, and support your overall health.

2. Collagen Is an Easy-to-Digest Source of Protein

Your body works hard to digest protein from sources like chicken or beef, and some people may find that they deal with digestive symptoms like burping or stomach pain after a meal, explains Lachman. But collagen supplements are hydrolyzed, meaning the collagen is broken down, a process that makes it easier for your body to digest. Collagen supplements may potentially be a more comfortable way to get protein into your diet, she says. The process of hydrolyzing also allows collagen peptides to dissolve in water, which makes it relatively simple to use them in everyday foods (like water or smoothies).

3. Collagen Helps Smooth Wrinkles and Boost Elasticity in Skin

Skin health is the most well-researched benefit of taking collagen, says Lachman. In one review, researchers analyzed 11 randomized, placebo-controlled studies of more than 800 patients who took up to 10 grams (g) per day of collagen with the goal of improving skin health. The results? The supplements were shown to improve skin elasticity, help it better hold onto moisture, and rev the density of collagen fibers within skin. “Ten grams per day is a small scoop,” says Lachman — and it could be a small step in preserving a youthful appearance.

4. Collagen May Help Lessen Joint Aches and Pains

Joint pain can make it difficult to exercise, which can knock you off your fitness goals. Taking a collagen supplement may help you get back on track. “There is some evidence that collagen can be great for supporting connective tissues and improving joint pain after exercise,” says Angelone. For instance, one study found that athletes with knee pain who took 5 g of collagen peptides daily for 12 weeks had less joint pain during exercise compared with a placebo group. Oral collagen may support cartilage repair and may also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

5. Oral Supplements May Promote Gut Health

In inflammatory digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel disease (IBD), there is a “gut healing” theory about collagen. “Some research finds that collagen levels are decreased in patients with these conditions. By taking collagen, you would help correct a deficiency,” says Lachman.

Research found that among IBD patients, there was an imbalance between the formation and breakdown of collagen fibers, and this was connected to inflammation. A study also showed that IBD patients have decreased serum levels of type 4 collagen. Collagen is a part of connective tissue, which makes up your colon and GI tract, so by bringing your levels up, there may be a supportive environment for your body to heal. This is an emerging idea, Lachman says, but it may be one benefit to trying a supplement or dietary approach to increase collagen intake.

6. Collagen May Buoy Your Heart Health

Stirring collagen into your coffee may be good for your ticker, too. A small, uncontrolled, open-label study looked at 32 participants who took a collagen tripeptide twice a day. After six months, markers of atherosclerosis (buildup in artery walls), including measures of cholesterol and arterial stiffness, had improved. (When atherosclerosis affects the arteries that lead to your heart, it’s known as coronary artery disease, which is the deadliest form of heart disease, per the Mayo Clinic.) Researchers think that the collagen may help fortify blood vessel walls to reduce the risk of artery disease.

7. Peptides Can Keep Bones Healthy

Bone mineral density decreases as you age, especially after menopause, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial on 102 post-menopausal women, participants who took collagen peptides for one year increased their bone mineral density compared with the control group. Researchers postulated that this was because the collagen stimulated bone formation while slowing down bone loss.

8. Collagen May Be Useful in Joint Disease

There are different types of collagen, according to an article published in Molecules. Type 1 (found in beef) is beneficial when it comes to your skin, while type 2 (found in chicken) is potentially more helpful when it comes to arthritic joint pain, Lachman explains. Joints are composed of cartilage, which is largely made up of collagen. A study found that patients with knee osteoarthritis who took acetaminophen along with type 2 collagen reduced joint pain during walking and had quality of life superior to those on the medication alone. That said, research is mixed and hasn’t come to a firm conclusion. Lachman says your best bet is to purchase a supplement that contains various sources of animal collagen for the widest range of benefits.

9. Collagen Won’t Help You Lose Weight

Eating enough protein is important to a healthy diet. The nutrient is needed to support your body in building muscle — lean tissue that is more metabolically active than fat (meaning it leads to faster metabolism, according to the Mayo Clinic). But you’ll want to put collagen in perspective here: It can’t be the only change you make to your diet and lifestyle habits. “Adding a collagen powder to a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates and excess calories won’t help you lose weight,” says Lachman.

Joint Health

When it comes to the effectiveness of collagen supplementation for joint pain, there is a lack of quality evidence in humans to verify the claims, says Melissa Boufounos, a sports nutritionist and owner of MB Performance Nutrition. “There are a few randomized trials that have found that collagen supplements can decrease joint pain and improve joint mobility, but many are funded by collagen supplement companies and may not be high-quality trials,” she says. “More research is needed in this area, and to determine the most effective dose.”

Indeed, multiple smaller studies that show the benefits of supplementing with collagen were funded by supplement companies and included less than 300 participants. Still, these studies do show that collagen supplementation may help with Osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms, particularly in the knee

Skin Health

Some experts agree that collagen may improve skin elasticity and aging.

One small study from 2018 found that after 12 weeks of collagen supplementation, “the collagen-peptide group experienced improved skin hydration much quicker than the placebo [group],” notes DeLaurentis. “Objective changes in skin elasticity and wrinkling were also seen more so in the collagen group.” While these improvements are encouraging, it’s important to note that the study only used 64 individuals, and was funded by a company that makes collagen products[3].

Another smaller study from 2015 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that taking 10 grams of collagen via supplementation for eight weeks improved skin hydration and elasticity in women, notes Chun[4].

Due to the small size of many studies on collagen supplementation and skin health, more research needs to be done in order to draw any strong conclusions.

Bone Loss

A large component of healthy aging is preventing bone loss, and collagen supplementation may be a positive step in this direction. Collagen production decreases significantly after age 25 at an estimated rate of about 1% each year after that, according to Harbstreet.

“While bone loss is a natural process of aging, osteoporosis, or the thinning of bone tissue, is a significant concern especially for post-menopausal women,” notes Harbstreet. “Collagen has been shown to increase bone mineral density in this population. More research is needed, but collage supplementation may help older adults maintain or increase bone mineral density,” she continues, which in turn may help prevent osteoporosis.

Similarly, a small randomized control trial from 2018 suggests that collagen supplementation in postmenopausal women was associated with increased bone formation and decreased bone degradation, adds Kimberley Wiemann, a Long Island, New York-based registered dietitian. However, like many other studies on collagen, this one was at least partially funded by a company that makes collagen products

Muscle Mass

Muscle mass typically decreases with age, which can lead to loss of independence earlier in life, says Alyssa Pacheco, a registered dietitian and owner of the PCOS Nutritionist, a virtual nutrition practice in the greater Boston area. Research shows that collagen peptide supplementation, along with resistance training, can increase muscle mass and prevent further loss of muscle mass, she adds. The resistance training/collagen supplementation combination is key, as collagen alone is not enough to increase muscle mass.

However, when it comes to muscle building, Boufounos notes that there are better protein sources. “Collagen has a different amino acid profile than other proteins like whey or casein, which is why it has unique functions,” she says. “Collagen is not considered a complete protein, though, and shouldn’t be used to replace higher-quality protein sources for muscle building.”

Heart Health

Due to collagen’s role in providing structure and flexibility in the arteries, a 2017 study indicates that collagen supplementation might help treat and prevent atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries[6].

While the 2017 study is supported by a recent review, more research is needed to better understand the relationship between dietary collagen and heart health, concludes Harbstreet.

Collagen for Hair Growth

While there is limited scientific evidence suggesting collagen can encourage hair growth, collagen has become a popular hair growth supplement thanks to media attention and personal reports from consumers. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and it provides strength, structure and flexibility to bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, hair and skin, including the scalp.

Some studies have shown that taking collagen improves hair growth, but most of these studies were cosmetic and supplement industry-funded. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this presents a conflict of interest because the industries funding the studies may benefit from positive results.

Consumers have claimed that collagen supplementation can help regenerate hair follicles to regrow hair, thicken hair density, stop hair loss and possibly impact hair graying. More objective and controlled studies are necessary to determine whether collagen supplementation may live up to these claims.

What Do We Know About Collagen and Hair?

Collagen contains amino acids used to build keratin, which is the protein that hair is primarily made of. As a result, collagen plays an important role in the health of the scalp and hair follicles.

Collagen is the primary component of the dermis, which is the connective tissue layer that contains hair follicles. Collagen plays a role in repairing the dermis and the skin on the scalp at the base of the hair follicle, and it may impact age-related hair growth.

The following studies reported no conflicts of interest and their findings shed light on the relationship between hair and collagen:

• Hair Follicle Regeneration: Tests showed younger cells at the base of hair follicles used more collagen, while aged cells used less. This suggests declining collagen levels as people age may contribute to subsequent hair loss.
• Collagen Type 17: According to a study in Experimental Dermatology, people born with an inability to make collagen type 17 develop junctional epidermolysis bullosa, a genetic condition causing fragile and blistering skin, serious hair loss and graying.

Possibly Effective for

• Aging skin. Taking collagen peptides by mouth seems to improve skin hydration and skin elasticity in older people. It might also help reduce wrinkles, but it's not clear if it helps enough to be noticeable.
• Dry skin. Taking collagen peptides by mouth seems to improve skin hydration and skin elasticity in people with dry skin.

Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity in older people. They might also help lessen wrinkles. Thicker hair. While more men go bald, many women also have hair loss or thinning as they age.

Collagen's main role is to provide structure, strength and support throughout your body. Collagen's specific roles include: Helping fibroblasts to form in your dermis (middle skin layer), which helps new cells grow. Playing a role in replacing dead skin cells

me research has found that taking daily collagen powder could help make your bones denser, slowing the aging process that makes them brittle and helping your body to produce new bone. Skin elasticity and hydration. Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity for older people

Collagen works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is responsible for the production of melanin. When the production of melanin is reduced, the skin appears lighter and brighter. Collagen also helps to improve skin hydration, which is important for maintaining healthy skin