Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Collagen?Collagen PotentialResearch LimitationsInflammationTypesSide EffectsOther UsesSafety
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Collagen?
Collagen Potential
Research Limitations
Inflammation
Types
Side Effects
Other Uses
Safety
You may be wondering if collagen makes your joints hurt, but collagen probably isn’t the cause. With rheumatoid arthritis (RA), uncontrolled inflammation damages cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, which causes joint pain.
Rheumatoid arthritisis a disease in which the body’simmune systemmistakenly attacks its joints, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue.Collagenis a type of protein that has anti-inflammatory properties, so some people take collagen supplements, likecollagen powders, in an attempt to lessen this inflammation and help relieve joint pain.
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What Is Cartilage?Cartilage is the main type of connective tissue in your body. Healthy cartilage provides cushion for your bones and prevents them from rubbing against each other.
What Is Cartilage?
Cartilage is the main type of connective tissue in your body. Healthy cartilage provides cushion for your bones and prevents them from rubbing against each other.
Collagen is a type of protein found in connective tissues like your skin, hair, nails, tendons,cartilageand bones.It’s rich in amino acids, which theoretically could help rebuild joint cartilage that RA has damaged.
Collagen occurs naturally in certain foods like chicken, fish, and egg whites. It is also available as a supplement in pill and powder form.
Though there are anecdotal accounts of collagen helping RA symptoms, clinical research on its effectiveness has shown mixed results.
Possibilities of Collagen for Joint Pain
Researchers have been studying the effects of collagen on arthritis for years, but the findings have been inconsistent.
A 2017 study found that oral collagen supplements improved pain, morning stiffness, and swollen joints but noted that collagen is not a replacement or as effective as typical RA drugs.
However, other research has shown that collagen is ineffective at helping RA symptoms. Therefore, more substantial research is needed to determine if collagen can be an effective component in RA treatment.
Is Collagen as Effective as Methotrexate?While there’s not a lot of research on this topic, one study found collagen was not as effective as methotrexate at relieving symptoms of RA.
Is Collagen as Effective as Methotrexate?
While there’s not a lot of research on this topic, one study found collagen was not as effective as methotrexate at relieving symptoms of RA.
Very little solid research has shown positive results on collagen’s effectiveness for RA.
Many of the existing studies had one or more of the following flaws:
Role of Inflammation in RA
With RA, inflammation in the body can damage cartilage, which protects the joints.
If people are taking a collagen supplement. they may associate the pain they experience with taking collagen, but it’s actually the body’s immune system causing inflammation and attacking the cartilage, tendons, and ligaments that cause joint pain.
You might develop symptoms of pain and inflammation in different areas of the body, including:
Collagen Types and Dosage
Scientists have identified 28 types of collagen, but almost all the collagen in your body is types I through V.
Type II collagen is found in cartilage, so it’s the most common form used for RA symptoms. This type of collagen is usually taken from chickens.
The exact dosage of collagen has not yet been determined. How much you take will depend on the type of collagen and healthcare recommendations.
How to Take CollagenCollagen comes in many forms, including powders, capsules, and liquids. You can also consume collagen through the foods you eat. Additionally, some topical creams contain collagen.
How to Take Collagen
Collagen comes in many forms, including powders, capsules, and liquids. You can also consume collagen through the foods you eat. Additionally, some topical creams contain collagen.
Collagen Side Effects
Collagen is generally considered a safe supplement that doesn’t pose any major risks.
However, reported side effects include:
Collagen AllergiesAn allergy to ingredients in collagen is possible, so check the label before using a collagen product. Many supplements contain shellfish, chicken, egg, or fish.
Collagen Allergies
An allergy to ingredients in collagen is possible, so check the label before using a collagen product. Many supplements contain shellfish, chicken, egg, or fish.
Other Uses of Collagen
Collagen is often used for other purposes, such as to:
Supplement Safety
Some supplements contain heavy metals or toxins that could be damaging.
Check the LabelIf you are looking for a collagen supplement, look for a trusted brand that includes an independent label, such as U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) or NSF International. You can also check out the company’s website to see how they make their collagen products.
Check the Label
If you are looking for a collagen supplement, look for a trusted brand that includes an independent label, such as U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) or NSF International. You can also check out the company’s website to see how they make their collagen products.
Best Sources
In some cases, eating foods rich in collagen or foods that boost collagen production in the body may be more beneficial than taking collagen supplements. One reason is that supplements are largely unregulated, so you don’t know exactly what you’re putting in your body.
Some foods that contain these nutrients include:
Mostcollagen supplementsare made from animal sources, but there are some supplements specifically created for vegans. These products may contain spirulina or be made from genetically modified yeast and bacteria.
Drug Interactions
There are no known drug interactions associated with collagen. Still, it’s good to talk to your healthcare provider before taking this supplement, especially if you are taking other medications.
Summary
Though collagen is a popular rheumatoid arthritis supplement due to its anti-inflammatory properties, evidence of its effectiveness is lacking. Some studies suggest collagen can provide slight improvements, while others have shown collagen isn’t helpful for people with RA.
There are many ways to take collagen, including through the foods you eat or in a supplement form. Be sure to talk to a healthcare provider before taking collagen.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School.Considering collagen drinks and supplements?Martínez-Puig D, Costa-Larrión E, Rubio-Rodríguez N, et al.Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 8;15(6):1332. doi: 10.3390/nu15061332Vasiliadis HS, Tsikopoulos K.Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis.World J Orthopedics. 2017;8(1):1. doi:10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.1Woo T, Lau L, Cheng N, Chan P, Tan K, Gardner A.Efficacy of oral collagen in joint pain - osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.J Arthritis. 2017;6(2):233. doi:10.4172/2167-7921.1000233NHS Inform.Rheumatoid arthritis.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Can collagen supplements help arthritis?Martini N.Collagen supplements.J Prim Health Care. 2019;11(4):385-386. doi:10.1071/HC15947MD Anderson Cancer Center.Should I take a collagen supplement?U.S. Department of Agriculture.FoodData Central.Báez J, Olsen D, Polarek JW.Recombinant microbial systems for the production of human collagen and gelatin.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2005;69(3):245-252. doi:10.1007/s00253-005-0180-x
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School.Considering collagen drinks and supplements?Martínez-Puig D, Costa-Larrión E, Rubio-Rodríguez N, et al.Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 8;15(6):1332. doi: 10.3390/nu15061332Vasiliadis HS, Tsikopoulos K.Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis.World J Orthopedics. 2017;8(1):1. doi:10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.1Woo T, Lau L, Cheng N, Chan P, Tan K, Gardner A.Efficacy of oral collagen in joint pain - osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.J Arthritis. 2017;6(2):233. doi:10.4172/2167-7921.1000233NHS Inform.Rheumatoid arthritis.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Can collagen supplements help arthritis?Martini N.Collagen supplements.J Prim Health Care. 2019;11(4):385-386. doi:10.1071/HC15947MD Anderson Cancer Center.Should I take a collagen supplement?U.S. Department of Agriculture.FoodData Central.Báez J, Olsen D, Polarek JW.Recombinant microbial systems for the production of human collagen and gelatin.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2005;69(3):245-252. doi:10.1007/s00253-005-0180-x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Medical School.Considering collagen drinks and supplements?Martínez-Puig D, Costa-Larrión E, Rubio-Rodríguez N, et al.Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 8;15(6):1332. doi: 10.3390/nu15061332Vasiliadis HS, Tsikopoulos K.Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis.World J Orthopedics. 2017;8(1):1. doi:10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.1Woo T, Lau L, Cheng N, Chan P, Tan K, Gardner A.Efficacy of oral collagen in joint pain - osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.J Arthritis. 2017;6(2):233. doi:10.4172/2167-7921.1000233NHS Inform.Rheumatoid arthritis.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Can collagen supplements help arthritis?Martini N.Collagen supplements.J Prim Health Care. 2019;11(4):385-386. doi:10.1071/HC15947MD Anderson Cancer Center.Should I take a collagen supplement?U.S. Department of Agriculture.FoodData Central.Báez J, Olsen D, Polarek JW.Recombinant microbial systems for the production of human collagen and gelatin.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2005;69(3):245-252. doi:10.1007/s00253-005-0180-x
Harvard Medical School.Considering collagen drinks and supplements?
Martínez-Puig D, Costa-Larrión E, Rubio-Rodríguez N, et al.Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 8;15(6):1332. doi: 10.3390/nu15061332
Vasiliadis HS, Tsikopoulos K.Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis.World J Orthopedics. 2017;8(1):1. doi:10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.1
Woo T, Lau L, Cheng N, Chan P, Tan K, Gardner A.Efficacy of oral collagen in joint pain - osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.J Arthritis. 2017;6(2):233. doi:10.4172/2167-7921.1000233
NHS Inform.Rheumatoid arthritis.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation.Can collagen supplements help arthritis?
Martini N.Collagen supplements.J Prim Health Care. 2019;11(4):385-386. doi:10.1071/HC15947
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Should I take a collagen supplement?
U.S. Department of Agriculture.FoodData Central.
Báez J, Olsen D, Polarek JW.Recombinant microbial systems for the production of human collagen and gelatin.Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2005;69(3):245-252. doi:10.1007/s00253-005-0180-x
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