While collagen powder supplements can help boost your body’s levels of this essential protein, they aren’t without side effects. Here are seven things to look out for:
Collagen is a natural substance in the skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints. It’s a versatile protein that supports and strengthens these tissues.
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Increased Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common health problem that can cause serious health issues. It would help if you talked to your doctor about lowering your blood pressure.
Collagen powder supplements can help lower your blood pressure by increasing your body’s collagen. However, it’s not a cure-all for high blood pressure, as many other factors play a role in lowering your blood pressure.
If you’re looking to lower your blood pressure, it’s best to reduce alcohol consumption and increase your physical activity. This will also increase the number of nutrients your body absorbs, which will help lower your blood pressure.
Increased Heart Rate
Collagen peptides can help reduce high blood pressure and promote heart health. They may also boost nitric oxide, which is essential for blood flow and lowers plaque deposits on artery walls.
Nitric oxide can also help your body use insulin, which is needed to regulate your blood sugar levels and avoid diabetes. Taking collagen may also help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by improving your cholesterol balance.
If you’re using collagen powder for heart health, look for a product with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, gluten, GMOs, or known allergens. Those ingredients can upset your gastrointestinal tract and add excess calories to your diet, causing weight gain and fatigue.
Decreased Appetite
One of collagen powder side effects is decreased appetite. Studies have shown that gelatin can promote satiety by increasing the production of glucagon-like peptide-1 and cholecystokinin, hormones that can help reduce hunger.
However, this may only happen if you follow a healthy diet and eat meals low in sugar and refined carbohydrates. If you are consuming extra calories, this might not be the case, and collagen could instead promote weight gain.
This could be caused by the protein content of collagen powder or because it isn’t used correctly in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan. Either way, avoiding adding collagen powder to a diet that is already high in sugar and refined carbohydrates is essential.
Digestion Issues
When you take collagen supplements, your body can experience several digestive issues. These can include bloating, nausea, gas, and diarrhea.
If you suffer from these symptoms, you should discontinue using the supplement and see your doctor. This could be due to several factors, including your diet, medications, and the ingredients in the supplement.
Collagen powder has been known to help with digestion and bowel movement regulation by attracting water to the gut as food moves through it. This helps make bowel movements more regular and prevents constipation.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of many medicines. They are usually mild and go away within a day or two.
They can also be signs of serious illness, so don’t ignore them if you have them. You should get medical help if you have severe symptoms or vomit blood.
Collagen supplements are made from animal skin, bones, and connective tissue, so people who are allergic to them may experience a reaction.
They may also cause bloating and gas, usually due to the additives in the collagen powder. These are often temporary and improve as you become more used to taking the supplement. They can also suppress your appetite, but that depends on the individual.
Skin Irritation
Collagen is a protein that helps build skin, bones, and cartilage. It is essential for a healthy body but has some downsides and side effects.
One common side effect of collagen powder supplements is skin irritation, which can be a significant concern for some people. This may include redness, itching, and flaking.
This is often a result of the collagen being broken down into smaller amino acids. These smaller amino acids are more easily absorbed by the body and help promote healthy skin.
Heartburn
One of the most common side effects of collagen powder supplements is heartburn. This is because collagen is a hydrophilic molecule that can attract water and acidic molecules from your stomach.
It also has a high amino acid content, making your body feel bloated or queasy. These symptoms usually pass after a few weeks or months.
If you have a history of bloating, choose a collagen supplement with peptides instead of whole collagen. These are much smaller and easier for your body to digest.
