Gransnet forums

Health

Does anyone take Collagen? And is it effective for anything e.g.joints,skin problems?

(44 Posts)
Delia22 Fri 15-Mar-24 16:34:21

I was thinking of starting taking Collagen powder for a minor skin problem.I have spoken to my g.p.about it and all she could suggest was a mild steroid cream and moisturiser. I have started to use both but I thought I could help things along by taking Collagen as well as the topical treatment. Thanks.Any advice would be welcome.

jeanie99 Thu 29-Jan-26 19:45:45

My understanding is, if you are taking medications take advice before you take collagen just to make sure it is safe to take.

ronib Thu 22-Jan-26 12:59:21

I have tried Forever Living marine collagen with biotin, zinc and vitamin C in liquid sachet form. Additionally used olive oil on my hair and a clear nail hardener polish…. I believe it’s helpful if expensive. Available on eBay at cheaper prices than full retail. Also take vitamin D.

Robin202 Thu 22-Jan-26 12:48:52

I’ve just started taking Elavate collagen. There’s been much promotion on social media and thousands of positive reviews.
What I’ve learned is you need a combination of both bovine and marine collagen and the addition of Vitamin C to aid absorption which this has. It also has VitD3 and.B12 - everything many women of a certain age, are lacking. It is said to benefit, hair, skin, nails, stiffness in joints, aid sleep and energy. A good all rounder by all accounts!
So fingers x’d a new woman will emerge in a few weeks!

Foxtail Thu 22-Jan-26 09:42:40

I have been taking Nutrition Geeks Glow Up collagen for severl months now. I started because of hair and nail issues. What I have found is that my joints feel great even first thing in the morning which was usually a problem so I am delighted however initially my nails improved but stopped so I take Biotin tablets now as well and that works. My skin has been fine, no reaction.

Dempie55 Wed 21-Jan-26 23:36:25

Ladylea

Hi, im new to this group and was wondering if someone could explain the acranims i keep seeing for example GD .thanks in advance .

GD - grand daughter
GS - grand son (or Godson?)
DD - dear daughter etc

HiMay Wed 21-Jan-26 23:25:59

Nails and skin good on cod liver oil off the spoon, not capsules. Painful erosive osteoarthritis in hands may be helped too: I am managing without painkillers, despite some flare-ups recently

Ladylea Wed 21-Jan-26 22:07:02

Hi, im new to this group and was wondering if someone could explain the acranims i keep seeing for example GD .thanks in advance .

Dempie55 Wed 21-Jan-26 21:50:09

Sago

If anyone is interested Boots are doing their Marine Collagen capsules at £10 for 90 instead of £33.
It’s today only as part of the £10 Tuesday deal.

For anyone not in the know every Tuesday Boots do a 100+ items at only £10.

This is what I take, always go for the special offers at Boots. I think my skin looks plumper and fingernails grow more quickly. There is an awful lot if crap being pushed on Facebook to do with collagen, so stick with trusted brands.

grannygran Wed 21-Jan-26 20:41:28

Have anyone experienced Morphea? Look it up.

I have had it 29+ years. It's an over production of Callogen.

lizzypopbottle Wed 21-Jan-26 20:03:35

Collagen is a protein. It's my understanding (through a very elderly degree in biology) that the digestive system breaks down proteins to individual amino acids that can the be used to build new proteins. I also believe that collagen and gelatin are structurally the same so you can get the same amino acids by eating jelly babies! I'm happy to be corrected by any biochemists out there. Of course, jelly sweets also contain sugar.

petalpete Wed 21-Jan-26 19:47:10

Thank you for this info Sago, I didn't know.

Jodieb Wed 21-Jan-26 19:03:51

I have read you shouldn't take collagen with Losartan BP pills.
Caster oil info pops up on FB with good reviews.

1summer Wed 21-Jan-26 18:21:26

WhiteSwan63

1Summer it’s a make called Freja in sachets there are a few flavours but I only like the beef one. I buy it from a farm shop near us. It makes a nice warming snack drink.

Thank you I will have a look for it.

Menopauselbitch Wed 21-Jan-26 18:05:38

Before buying any supplements look up British Supplement and read what he says about Holland and Barrett etc. even if you don’t buy from them it will give you a good insight about what to buy and what ingredients to avoid.

WhiteSwan63 Wed 21-Jan-26 17:24:54

1Summer it’s a make called Freja in sachets there are a few flavours but I only like the beef one. I buy it from a farm shop near us. It makes a nice warming snack drink.

angela998 Wed 21-Jan-26 17:04:34

I've been taking collagen for about three years now. I initially tried it for weak nails and thinning hair and found a big improvement in the nails but not a lot of difference for my hair. However after a few months I noticed an improvement in my fibromyalgia as well. So to see if it actually was the collagen, I stopped taking it for a fortnight. I did this three times over 6 months and found when I didn't take it, my fibromyalgia worsened. Maybe it is a placebo effect but I have continued taking it. I take Pure Collagen Hydrolysate Powder by Nutravita. It is bovine based. I either mix it in to a smoothie or shake it over some Greek yoghurt and fruit. It is tasteless. When I'm away I take their capsules instead.

1summer Wed 21-Jan-26 17:02:03

WhiteSwan63

I think I’m going to try the nutrition geek glow up collagen powder and mix it into bone broth. My nails are very brittle and I’m hoping it will help my bones stay strong.

Can you recommend a bone broth, I bought some which tasted horrible. Or do you make your own,
I could of course make my own but I haven’t the time, inclination or energy.

WhiteSwan63 Wed 21-Jan-26 16:49:42

I think I’m going to try the nutrition geek glow up collagen powder and mix it into bone broth. My nails are very brittle and I’m hoping it will help my bones stay strong.

Juicylucy Wed 21-Jan-26 16:46:08

It’s all so confusing because my GP told me collagen doesn’t get absorbed by the body when we take it in a supplement form. Apparently it just passes through us.

knspol Wed 21-Jan-26 16:39:24

Sago

If anyone is interested Boots are doing their Marine Collagen capsules at £10 for 90 instead of £33.
It’s today only as part of the £10 Tuesday deal.

For anyone not in the know every Tuesday Boots do a 100+ items at only £10.

Had not heard of the £10 Tuesdays so thanks for the tip.
I tried the Marine collagen powder but didn't like it so capsules seem like a good idea. I wanted it to see if it would improve thinning hair and flaking finger nails.

Delene100 Wed 21-Jan-26 16:00:53

You need to add Vitamin C with collagen to make it more effective. I take it with Vitamin C and can definitely see a change in the texture of my skin and nails.

Hammo Wed 21-Jan-26 14:48:58

Thank you for that tip about Boots. That’s really good to know 😊!

Cambia Wed 21-Jan-26 14:09:32

Listen to Sliced Bread, they had a whole programme dedicated to collagen and explaining if it worked out not, dry interesting. Jury was out a bit but I still take collagen every day in my tea as I reason it can’t do any harm and may do some good!

Daftapath Wed 21-Jan-26 13:48:44

I started taking collagen about 6 months ago. I have noticed a huge improvement in my joint aches and pains, my nails are growing like never before and much stronger. I’m not religious in taking it daily but my aches return when I have a break in taking it.

My plantar fasciitis is also vastly improved since starting it.

I chose Elavate because it has both types of collagen (marine and bovine) in one product and I believe they do different things so it’s good to have both types.

I think I can get a code for money off if anyone wants one?

KKOB Wed 21-Jan-26 13:42:23

My wife and I took a collagen supplement in powder form for 3 months and didn't recognise any changes in our health or wellbeing. There's no harm in trying it yourself though.