Can You Getcollahen Peptides Over The Counter (2025)

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptide Powder is a top choice for its versatility, quality ingredients, third-party testing, and 18 grams of protein per serving. It is pescatarian-friendly and may be suitable for pescatarians. For those with specific goals around skin health, healthy joints, strong nails, or gut health, collagen supplements may be beneficial.

Although over-the-counter (OTC) supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it is generally safer to stick with a dietary approach to boosting collagen. Whey protein powder might be the best option for muscle growth, while collagen supplements may help compensate for age-related collagen loss. Unflavored collagen peptides powder may be the best option for those who prefer not to have bulky canisters.

Research suggests that collagen peptides can improve skin hydration, elasticity, smoothing skin, joint pain, and mobility. However, there is no strong evidence that any over-the-counter oral or topical collagen supplement is good for anti-aging. Collagen supplements are available over the counter in various forms, including liquid collagen and most collagen drinks contain hydrolyzed collagen.

There is currently no strong evidence that taking collagen pills or consuming collagen drinks will make a difference in skin, hair, or nails. It is important to avoid collagen supplements that include anything other than hydrolyzed collagen, especially ones that contain added sugar. If you are taking medications, including over-the-counter medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Peptides can be purchased as dietary supplements, including pills or protein shakes, and manufacturers claim they can help build collagen.

What happens to your body when you start taking collagen?

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.

Is it better to drink collagen or take collagen pills?

All nutrients need to be liquid before the body can use them, so as far as the best collagen supplements go, liquid collagen is already in the form it needs to be. This means the body can absorb the nutrients more quickly and more of the good stuff gets to where it needs to be. With some supplements, the body can break down the positive ingredients, meaning a much smaller percentage of the product is absorbed. With liquid collagen, there’s less wastage, as the liquid travels straight to the right place.

What is Collagen Powder?. Well, collagen powder is just that, a powder. Powdered collagen is mixed with water or another liquid and then drunk. The idea is that the powder is turned into a liquid, but the trouble with powder is it doesn’t always break down into a liquid all that well. As a result, sometimes the powder doesn’t mix thoroughly, and the drink can have a somewhat gritty texture. When it comes to liquid collagen vs powder, a liquid is smooth and ready to go, so why waste time mixing?

Another issue with collagen powder is that the dosage is not always consistent, as the powder contains small and large molecules. Some people also complain that powdered collagen can have a chalky or bitter taste, which no one wants from their daily collagen supplement!

Is it okay to take collagen peptides every day?

Is taking collagen every day good for you? You can safely take 2. 5-15 grams of collagen peptides per day. Studies show no side effects, and it may contribute to the health of your skin, joints, and muscles.

Collagen is a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity or stretchiness. It’s in your bones, muscles, and blood, making up three-quarters of your skin and one-third of the protein in your body.

Your body makes it naturally by combining amino acids, the building blocks of proteins found in food. To produce collagen, your body needs:

• Proline: Found in egg whites, dairy, cabbage, mushrooms, and asparagus
• Glycine: Found in pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatin and a variety of other protein-rich foods
• Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits and bell peppers
• Zinc: Found in beef, lamb, pork, shellfish, chickpeas, lentils, beans, milk, cheese, and various nuts and seeds
• Copper: Found in organ meats, cocoa powder, cashews, sesame seeds, and lentils

Is collagen peptides hard on the liver?

How could collagen affect your liver?. Collagen is already in your liver! Remember, when people talk about collagen side effects on liver, they’re mostly concerned about collagen supplementation. There’s currently no research to suggest that collagen supplementation could have adverse effects on your liver.

Collagen supplements are generally regarded as safe by the FDA. This means that there isn’t anything to suggest that regular usage in a normal dose causes any harm. The only thing to look out for is filler ingredients.

Supplements aren’t regulated very strictly by the FDA, which means that you’ll want to keep an eye out for filler ingredients like salt, sugar, and calcium. These may be the source of “collagen” side effects on liver when consumed in large quantities over time, so you’ll want to choose a high-quality, medical-grade collagen supplement that doesn’t have fillers to avoid any potential damage to your liver.

As we look more closely at collagen side effects on the liver, let’s also look at the symptoms of liver damage. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They’ll be able to run tests to help you determine the cause of your symptoms and put you on the best path for treatment.

Is collagen peptides worth the hype?

At worst, Czerwony says, they may not work — but there’s no real risk. “More research is needed on the overall benefits of collagen peptides, but it’s well-documented that they won’t harm you, in proper doses,” she says. “So if you feel like you’re benefitting from them, go for it.”

Studies show that you can safely take 2. 5 to 15 grams of collagen peptides per day. Be sure to read the label on your collagen peptides to determine how much you’re getting per scoop, and properly follow dosing instructions to add it to coffee, smoothies and protein shakes. One to two scoops (or tablespoons) is typically standard.

How to take collagen peptides. “Take them in whatever way appeals most to start your day off right,” Czerwony says.

What form of collagen is best absorbed?

Collagen peptides are usually considered the best form of collagen for ingestion. Hydrolyzed collagen should be taken if a person wants to take a collagen supplement. Hydrolyzed collagen means the collagen has been broken down into small peptides, which are easy for the body to digest. Consuming collagen with vitamin C gives the body the best shot at taking full advantage of the collagen being consumed. Vitamin C will optimize the collagen supplement’s bioavailability because it is essential for collagen synthesis to occur. While picking up collagen peptide supplements, it is recommended to skip the flavored versions and always look for third-party certification. Choosing the best type of collagen also depends on specific health goals.

Usually, 2. 5 to 10 grams of collagen peptides taken orally daily for 8 to 12 weeks may make the skin healthy.;

10 grams of collagen peptides taken daily in one or two divided doses for three to five months work well for joint pains.;

Does Jennifer Aniston really use collagen peptides?

“My go-to collagen routine is adding Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in my morning cup of coffee or smoothie — so easy to use,” Aniston says. “Love this stuff, use it every day,” a five-star fan says. “The single packs are convenient for travel, and I love that it helps get some extra protein in in the mornings.

Collagen is an important ingredient for creating supple skin, along with strong hair and nails, which is why so many people include collagen supplements in their beauty and wellness routines. Jennifer Aniston is one of them — and she loves one brand so much she signed on as chief creative officer of the company. It’s called Vital Proteins and Amazon has slashed the prices of select Vital Proteins supplements — including one that Aniston calls her “go-to.”

This powder contain unflavored bioavailable organic collagen peptides powder sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows.

This collagen is easily absorbed by your body for next-level benefits, including improving the health of your hair, skin and nails. Just add a pack to any kind of hot or cold liquid, like a smoothie or coffee. “My go-to collagen routine is adding Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in my morning cup of coffee or smoothie — so easy to use,” Aniston says.

What’s the difference between taking collagen and collagen peptides?

Whole collagen is difficult for the body to digest or absorb, while collagen peptides are significantly more accessible for the body. When taking a whole collagen supplement, your body will only be able to use a small portion of it compared to a collagen peptide supplement. This difference in bioavailability is the driving force behind collagen peptides as a collagen alternative.

It’s important to emphasize that the value of collagen peptides lies in their potential to help the body repair or produce collagen. So, while collagen peptides might be a good way to get there, the end goal is whole and healthy collagen.

Which is better: Collagen or collagen peptides?. Although the end goal may be collagen, the best way to get there could be through collagen peptides. Because of the low bioavailability of collagen and the relatively high bioavailability of collagen peptides, the latter may be more beneficial for people looking to reap the benefits.

What is the best collagen peptides out there?

Our Top PicksBest Overall: Bubs Naturals Collagen Peptides. Best Powder: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder. Best Multi-Source: NOW Supplements Multi Collagen Protein Types I, II, and III. Best with Added Nutrients: Gnarly Collagen Pro. Best Tasting: Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and provides structure for skin, hair, nails, joints, cartilage, and bones. According to Kelsey Kunik, RDN, while collagen supplements are often marketed for specific concerns, such as anti-aging and improved hair and nail health, their benefits extend beyond beauty. For instance, research suggests that collagen supplements might improve skin hydration and elasticity and possibly reduce joint stiffness.

As with many supplements, the research on collagen supplements is not always consistent, and we still have a lot to learn. As long as you consume the building blocks of collagen in your everyday diet—adequate protein, vitamin C, zinc, and copper—you might not need a supplement. That said, collagen supplements may be helpful for people with joint pain or skin concerns or anyone simply looking to up their protein intake.

In order to choose the best collagen supplements, our team of registered dietitians researched dozens of supplements. We took these products into our own hands and specifically tested the collagen powders in our lab for taste, texture, smell, and how well they dissolve in cold and hot liquids. When choosing the best supplement for you, you’ll want to evaluate the type of collagen, form (pill, powder, liquid, or gummy), dose, other ingredients in the supplement, and third-party testing. Thankfully, we’ve done a lot of that evaluation, so you can find the one that works best for you.

Is there a downside to taking collagen peptides?

Collagen peptides are generally recognized as safe for most individuals. However, just as with any supplement or dietary change, side effects can occur. One of the most common being feelings of fullness or heaviness in the stomach. This usually occurs due to the dense nature of collagen peptides.

It’s important to note that the body’s reaction to dietary supplements varies greatly from person to person. While some people might experience stomach discomfort, others might have no issues at all. Keeping a food diary can be beneficial to associate any adverse reaction to the consumption of collagen peptides.

Some people report a lingering taste after consumption. This is typically due to unflavored collagen peptides which have a semi-salty taste. To avoid this, opt for flavored collagen peptides or mix it into your favorite juice or smoothie.

Who should avoid collagen peptides?

Collagen supplements may not be safe for:People with fish, shellfish, or egg allergies (collagen supplements may contain these allergens as ingredients)22. People with a Kosher or Halal diet. People with a vegetarian or vegan diet.

The benefits of collagen supplements extend beyond healthy skin. They also include bone health, joint health, and more. However, research on these benefits is limited, which is important to consider when reviewing the evidence.

Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues in your body. It is located in your skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Its main job is to give tissues structure and help them withstand stretching and impact. Supplements may boost your health but side effects can occur.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. When choosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.