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Protein

Collagen

Collagen is the main structural protein in skin, bone, tendons and cartilage. Supplements usually contain hydrolyzed collagen from cattle, pigs or fish.

Also listed as collagen peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, multi collagen, bovine collagen

Hair & SkinBone & JointLongevityFitnessGut Health

The animal source matters

Collagen products can cause allergic reactions or intolerances, particularly fish-derived products in people with fish allergy. The ingredient list also matters because added ingredients have their own cautions; Verbraucherzentrale specifically warns against piperine-containing supplements in pregnancy. 1

What do trials tell us about harms?

A 2023 review of four collagen-peptide trials in knee osteoarthritis found no clear difference in adverse events versus placebo. Confidence in that safety finding was very low, and all four trials had a high risk of bias. A reassuring short trial cannot answer every long-term safety question. 2

For information, not individual medical advice. Ingredient studies do not establish the effectiveness of these products.

Sources