According to an article in the New York Times, during 2021 Google search data showed that the word collagen has been googled more than a million times, this article also emphasizes that the figure increased by 35 percent compared to the year last.
As we well know, collagen supplements have monopolized sales in recent years as most of them promise great health benefits such as the good condition of the skin, nails, hair, and joints.
Although these promises are usually true (as long as they are consumed properly), there are cases in which certain contraindications such as allergies to some components or contraindications with certain types of conditions may occur.
If you are interested in knowing more about the subject, then this article is for you.
Factors that we must take into account before consuming a collagen supplement
Before continuing, it is important to mention that most collagen supplements are safe to consume, however, as in everything; Isolated cases may occur and it is not recommended that both pregnant women and children use them.
One of the factors that you should be clear about when you start taking the best collagen supplement on the market is that these supplements do not supplement foods such as meat, fish, and dairy.
Collagen supplements do not contain enough amino acids to replace the intake of the foods mentioned above.
When we talk about collagen dosage, the most successful thing is to stick to the doses recommended by the brand, although we already mentioned before that collagen supplements are not dangerous, it is still unknown if the consumption of an excessive dose can cause damage to the body.
As we know, collagen is a protein, and when we consume proteins in an uncontrolled way we can cause problems in organs such as the heart and kidneys.
Generally, the recommended doses are 10 grams or less.
In case you are going through a disease such as cancer or require treatments that involve hemodialysis, before thinking about buying a collagen supplement, you should ask your doctor.
Allergies to collagen supplements
Being a product that comes from animals, it can be difficult to find the right collagen supplement for those who suffer from any type of allergy.
This also matters if you are allergic to lactose or gluten (be sure to buy a presentation that does not contain any of these ingredients)
Phenylalanine in collagen supplements
Surely you have come across various products that mention that they contain phenylalanine, there are even gum brands that contain it. This substance can also be found in collagen supplements. However, some people may have problems assimilating phenylalanine, so they can present various reactions such as seizures or intellectual disability when consumed in excess.
Scleroderma and collagen
Scleroderma is a disease of the immune system that occurs when the body produces excess collagen. This condition can affect men and women between the ages of 30 and 50.
Related post: What is the best collagen supplement for women?
Of course, people with this disease cannot take collagen supplements.
This year, the New York Times reported the case of a 29-year-old woman who turned to collagen supplements and began to show some swelling in her fingers (which is one of the symptoms of the disease), although they do not mention that there is been officially diagnosed, they do mention that as soon as she stopped taking the supplement, her symptoms gradually disappeared.
It should be clarified that this is not a disease caused by collagen supplements, however, if you are not aware of your condition and you resort to the consumption of collagen supplements, these can encourage the appearance of symptoms.
Special caution should be exercised when suffering from this disease since although the symptoms visible at first appear on the skin, they can also affect the digestive system, heart, and kidneys.
In conclusion, collagen supplements are low risk for consumption, however, there are isolated cases in which caution should be exercised in what type of collagen is consumed and what are all the components.
Related topic: Can you gain weight with collagen?
