March 05, 2020

What is Liquid Collagen, Uses, Side Effects, Dosage?

There are many different types and varieties of collagen. One trend that is on the rise is liquid collagen. Collagen supplements have grown increasingly popular recently, which means companies are constantly looking for new ways to introduce collagen to consumers. This is good news for those wanting to take collagen, because there is something for everyone. Even pescatarians and some vegetarians can have marine collagen, for example. For those who don't know, collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, and it's made of chains of amino acids. Collagen is an important element of human skin because it helps with elasticity and glow. A reduction of collagen causes skin to become saggy, dull, and develop wrinkles. As we age, our natural collagen production starts to slow down. After age 20, it decreases by around 1% per year. This may not seem like a lot, but it does have an effect on our skin and bodies over time. Collagen is also responsible for joint health, bone health, and connective tissue health. There are certain medical conditions it may not help, but it's always worth trying. Loss of collagen can be helped by taking a collagen supplement. While it won't replenish the collagen you've already lost, it can help to repair any damage that's been done. Read on to learn about liquid collagen, its uses, side effects, and dosage.

What is liquid collagen?

Liquid collagen is just one of many types of collagen supplements. It comes as a drink mix you add liquid to, or already in a shot or liquid form, like a collagen drink. Other types of supplements include hydrolyzed collagen, collagen peptides, collagen powder, collagen pills, and collagen bars. It's in a drinkable form, rather than an edible or mixable form. It is essentially dissolved collagen in varying mixtures, depending on the product. You do need to be cautious if you choose liquid collagen for your supplement form, because oftentimes there are additives for flavoring, coloring, and sugar, like sucralose, manufactured citric acid, and ascorbic acid. Some will say they are made with an antioxidant blend, but just use extracts like green tea extract or blueberry extract, which don't really contain that many nutrients. Similarly, many use a juice concentrate for their liquid, which is typically packed with sugar. For example, they can say they are pomegranate or kiwi flavor, but really just use flavored syrups and dyes. This is why liquid shots are less popular than powder or pill supplements.

How do I use liquid collagen?

Always follow the directions on your product, but typically you will remove the twist tab and just drink the shot or beverage. They usually come in smaller, more concentrated doses rather than something you sip on for longer. You want to store it in the fridge, rather than a dry place where you would keep a powder or pills.

What are the side effects?

One of the best things about any collagen supplement is that there are no known side effects. The only issue that has been reported is minor stomach issues, which is due to stomach sensitivity and digestive problems. Collagen is naturally occurring in our bodies, which is part of what makes it much safer than other supplements. While it is natural and safe, it is still best to keep out of the reach of children and use if you are older. If you do find that you have some stomach issues, try a collagen supplement that is hydrolyzed (or collagen peptides). These are already broken down into much tinier particles, which makes digestion easier.

What dose should I take?

The recommended dose should be on whichever product you buy, but typically it is recommended you take 12-15mg of collagen daily in order to start seeing results. Some brands use micrograms (mcg) for their doses, but that's pretty uncommon. Depending on your body type and your reason for taking collagen, you may need to take more or less than what is recommended. For daily maintenance, you should be able to see results with 12-15mg. If you have more specific issues you are trying to address by taking the supplement, you may have better luck with a higher mg of collagen (milligram). The good thing is collagen is a very safe supplement so you have wiggle room when it comes to trying different doses until you see what works for you.

Benefits of liquid collagen / what is it good for?

There are many benefits of collagen. The biggest reason people take collagen is to get glowing skin, which it can do by increasing elasticity, improving hydration, and strengthening your skin barrier. It can also help to strengthen your hair and nails, similar to biotin. Many people find it gives them relief from their aching joints and bones. It can also help boost energy and keep you full, since it is a complex protein. An alternative to liquid collagen is our Kalumi BEAUTYfood bars. They contain 12g of hydrolyzed marine collagen, as well as 15g of protein. They are made of all natural, clean ingredients, with no additives. Some liquid shots contain additives that hinder the effects of collagen, which is why our bars are a good alternative.

What does liquid collagen do for your face?

You need to be careful when reading what some products promise to do for you. If they promise to rebuild collagen completely, replace your skin care, or make fine lines disappear, you may want to be wary of the product. Collagen can certainly help with giving you healthy skin, but it won't magically transform aged skin. Many people do see results with their skin and overall health, because collagen is an innovative product that can address multiple issues at the same time. It can help to reverse the damaging effects of free-radicals, strengthen bones, joints, and connective tissues, and possibly even assist with weight loss. The results you see depend on your daily intake, as well as a variety of other things. The primary cause of fine lines and other skin issues is genetics and lifestyle, so there are a lot of things that contribute to your body's health. For example, how many ounces of water you drink daily, whether or not you smoke or have prolonged exposure to the sun, if you take a multivitamin, whether or not you regularly see a dermatologist, as well as your diet and skincare regimen. Your skin health (and overall health) truly begins from within, so what you eat is important. Collagen is an essential super beauty nutrient, but there are other things that can help as well. Foods rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, B Vitamins including choline, and folic acid are all essential for your skin health and increasing your body's supply of natural collagen. You can get all of these things with a combination of super fruits and vegetables. Using sunscreen everyday, as well as products like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that moisturize your deep dermal layers will also help.