Collagen peptides are very small pieces of protein from animal collagen. Collagen is one of the materials that makes up cartilage, bone, and skin.

Collagen peptides are made by breaking down whole collagen proteins into smaller pieces. When taken by mouth, collagen peptides seem to build up in the skin and cartilage. This might help improve some skin and joint conditions.

Collagen peptides are used for aging skin and osteoarthritis. They are also used for osteoporosis, brittle nails, muscle strength, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don’t confuse collagen peptides with collagen type I (native), collagen type II (native), or gelatin.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for COLLAGEN PEPTIDES are as follows:

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.
• Osteoarthritis. Taking collagen peptides by mouth might slightly relieve pain and improve joint function in people with knee osteoarthritis. But it might take about 3-5 months of daily treatment before it helps.

There is interest in using collagen peptides for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

When taken by mouth: Collagen peptides are possibly safe. Collagen peptides have been safely used in doses up to 10 grams daily for up to 5 months. Side effects are rare.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if collagen peptides are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.

Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods.

Collagen peptides have most often been used by adults in doses of 2.5-10 grams daily for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

Collagen Hydrolysate, Collagen Peptidesi, Collagène Dénaturé, Collagène Hydrolysé, Collagène Marin Hydrolysé, Denatured Collagen, Hydrolised Collagen, Hydrolysed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein, Marine Collagen Hydrolysate, Protéine de Collagène Hydrolysé.

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

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