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You'd probably think it a hoax if you heard about a product that could reduce the appearance of wrinkles, make hair grow faster, and increase both nail and muscle strength while reducing pain in the joints. Yet, collagen supplements are this miracle working product. They are widely available on the market today, and science is backing up the benefit claims. Here we will cover the most frequently asked questions about collagen supplements and review the best 10 collagen supplements you should consider trying. Collagen Supplements FAQ Before we get started with our choices for the best 10 collagen supplements you should consider, we’d first like to cover some of the most frequently asked questions about them. 1. What are Collagen Supplements? Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body. As we age, natural collagen production steadily decreases in the body. To compensate for this decline in production, we can take collagen in supplement form. Supplements are usually made from bovine (cow) sources but they can also come from chickens. 2. What Do Collagen Supplements Do? There are three important collagen types found in collagen supplements. Type 1 and Type 3 Collagen Most of the collagen naturally produced in the human body is type 1 or type 3. This type of collagen keeps skin looking firm and youthful. It also impacts the thickness and growth rate of hair and nails. Adequate amounts of type 1 and type 3 collagen improve elasticity in the skin and circulation and are said to help build lean muscle mass. Type 2 Collagen Type 2 collagen differs from the other two types in that it isn’t ever produced with much frequency in the human body. This type also has a completely different support profile. Type 2 collagen is found in cartilage protein. Taking supplements with type 2 may improve joint pain and reduce popping in joints. 3. How Do Collagen Supplements Work? Collagen supplements work by providing the body the collagen it is not naturally producing. After taking the supplement, the substance will circulate throughout the bloodstream and reach the skin, hair, nails, muscles, and joints to provide benefits. 4. How Do You Take Collagen Supplements? Collagen supplements are available as capsules, tablets, or a powder. Each brand has specific instructions for how to take their product. With tablets and pills, the recommended dose is usually multiple pills once or twice per day. With powder, stir one or two scoops into a beverage that is warm or room temperature. Some supplements are dissolvable in cooler water temperatures. 5. Is It Safe to Take Collagen Supplements? Scientific studies conclude that collagen supplementation is safe for humans in most cases. Collagen supplementation is approved in healthy adults. Pregnant women, lactating women, children under 18 years, and those suffering from chronic or serious health concerns should not take supplements unless approved by their physician. As with all supplements, it’s important to discuss collagen supplements with your doctor before taking them. Supplements are not monitored by the FDA, so look for supplements that have been approved by a reputable certifying agent. 6. Where Can You Buy Collagen Supplements? Supplements are available online at Amazon or other nutritional supplement retailers. Often they are sold in pharmacies and supermarkets. How We Reviewed The following collagen supplements were reviewed based on product ingredients, how easy it is to take, quality, pros and cons, and price. There are a lot of supplements to choose from, and we want to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck. Overall Price Range of Collagen Supplements Collagen supplements range from around $12 up to around $50 for a 30-day supply. More expensive brands might not be the best brands for the collagen we reviewed. What We Reviewed Doctor's Best Collagen Types 1 and 3 with Peptan PhiNaturals Collagen Powder — Collagen Complete Bulk Supplements Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder Health Logics BioCell Collagen CS-HA Matrix Youtheory Collagen Advanced with Vitamin C Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (20 ounce) Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder NeoCell - Super Collagen Powder - 7 Ounces NeoCell Super Collagen + C Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate [amazon link="B005GHJNVY" title="Doctor's Best Collagen Types 1 and 3 with Peptan®" /] [amazon box="B005GHJNVY"] Features Doctor’s Best Collagen Types 1 and 3 with Peptan® also contains 50% of the daily value of vitamin C. It has trace amounts of both calcium and sodium. Each capsule is 2,000 milligrams of bovine collagen. The recommended dosage is four capsules taken twice per day on an empty stomach. The 240 capsules in this bottle are a 30-day supply. The label states it cannot be taken with other protein supplements. Price Doctor’s Best Collagen Types 1 and 3 with Peptan® cost around $7 on Amazon for a 30-day supply. Pros Comes with two of the best collagen types and Peptan® GMO, gluten, and soy free Made in cGMP (good manufacturing practices certified) facility Cons Large daily dosage (8 pills per day) Cannot be taken with other protein supplements Big capsules Questionable quality [amazon link="B00KSMVZJ0" title="PhiNaturals Collagen Powder — Collagen Complete" /] [amazon box="B00KSMVZJ0"] Features PhiNaturals Collagen Complete collagen power is a 14.6-ounce canister and 30-day supply of collagen types 1, 2, and 3. One serving of the powder also contains 170% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake. PhiNaturals collagen powder is made from premium bovine collagen hydrolysate and is free from antibiotics, hormones, GMOs, and Rgbh. The product is Kosher certified and grass fed. PhiNaturals Collagen Complete is made in the USA. Price Collagen Complete by PhiNaturals costs around $45 on Amazon for a 30-day supply. Pros Bioavailable powder blend Taken once per day mixed with water High-quality product Cons Expensive 30-day supply The artificial citrus flavor isn’t for everyone May promote weight gain [amazon link="B015YG2MTQ" title="Bulk Supplements Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder" /] [amazon box="B015YG2MTQ"] Features Bulk Supplements Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder is a 250-gram zipper pouch filled with Chinese bovine collage. The product doesn’t contain any additives. It is corn, gluten, soy, sugar, and yeast free. The serving size is a little over one teaspoon per day, up to four times per day.The label warns pregnant or lactating women, children, and anyone with serious health problems to not take the supplement. Price Bulk Supplements Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder costs around $10 on Amazon. Pros Inexpensive 40-day supply The product does what it says it will The powder dissolves easily Cons Unclear whether the cows are grass-fed or corn-fed The meat-like taste and smell can be off-putting Will flavor smoothies, tea, or anything it is added to [amazon link="B00DKFE5LM" title="Health Logics BioCell Collagen CS-HA Matrix" /] [amazon box="B00DKFE5LM"] Features Health Logics BioCell Collagen CS-HA Matrix supplements come in a 120-capsule bottle; this translates to a 60-day supply. The collagen in the product is a mixture of types 1, 2, and 3 in the form of the Health Logics' patented BioCell Collagen blend. It doesn’t contain any eggs, fish, gluten, GMOs, milk, peanuts, shellfish, or soy. The serving size is two capsules in the morning and two capsules at night. Price On Amazon, Health Logics BioCell Collagen CS-HA matrix costs around $20 for a 60-day supply. Pros Works well for hair growth Affordable price point Noticeable difference for joint cracks Cons People have experienced adverse effects (swelling, rash, inflammation) Large capsules are difficult to swallow Doesn’t enhance the skin [amazon link="B006VAZYNG" title="Youtheory Collagen Advanced with Vitamin C" /] [amazon box="B006VAZYNG"] Features Youtheory Collagen Advanced with Vitamin C contains a blend of collagen types 1, 2, and 3. The 290-capsule bottle will last for up to 48 days with the serving size of six capsules per day. The product is made from bovine collagen in the US. The label warns against use from those under 18 years. Price The 48-day supply, 290-count bottle of Youtheory Collagen Advanced with Vitamin C costs around $10 on Amazon. Pros Affordable 48-day supply Hydrates skin Works for joint pain Improves hair growth Cons Takes at least four weeks to work Ambiguous labeling Many pills to take per day [amazon link="B00K6JUG4K" title="Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides" /] [amazon box="B00K6JUG4K"] Features Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is a pasture-raised, grass-fed collagen powder suitable for mixing in hot or cold liquids. The product is Kosher certified and free from GMOs and dairy. The recommended dose for Vital Proteins collagen powder is one or two scoops once or twice per day. Each scoop of the powder contains around nine grams of protein. Price Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides costs around $13 on Amazon for a 28-day supply canister. Pros Effective for skin aesthetics Improves joint issues Promotes hair growth Cons Unpleasant taste Grainy texture May cause nausea [amazon link="B00XQ2XGAA" title="Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder" /] [amazon box="B00XQ2XGAA"] Features Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder is an unflavored hydrolyzed bovine collagen that is certified Paleo Friendly and doesn’t contain gluten or GMOs. This product contains around 41 servings per canister, and the serving size is one scoop per day. Sports Research collagen powder contains a full amino acid profile. This product is manufactured in a cGMP facility. Price On Amazon, Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder costs around $25 for a 41-day supply. Pros Unflavored Has skin-tightening benefits Dissolves in liquids of different temperatures Cons Often there is less of the product in the canister than advertised Causes bloating May not be as pure as other brands [amazon link="B0011DJ71I" title="NeoCell - Super Collagen Powder" /] [amazon box="B0011DJ71I"] Features NeoCell Super Collagen Powder contains type 1 and 3 collagen along with amino acids in a bioavailable powder form. The Paleo-Friendly pure grass-fed bovine collagen powder is free from artificial flavors, corn, GMOs, gluten, soy, starch, wheat, and yeast. The canister is made from 100% recycled materials. The serving size is one scoop per day. Price NeoCell Super Collagen Powder costs around $10 on Amazon for a 30-day supply. Pros Works great for hair and skin Improves the quality of nails Easily dissolvable Cons Contains sulfite Takes over a month to work Has sulphuric flavor Contains large amounts of L-Arginine [amazon link="B00028NGEC" title="NeoCell Super Collagen + C" /] [amazon box="B00028NGEC"] Features NeoCell Super Collagen + C is a pure hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine bovine collagen tablet that also contains 100% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. The bottle contains around a 42-day supply. The daily serving size is six tablets. The product doesn’t contain artificial flavorings, corn, GMOs, lactose, soy, starch, wheat, or yeast. The bottle warns that the product might contain traces of sulfite residue. Price On Amazon, NeoCell Super Collagen + C costs around $15 for a 42-day supply. Pros Good for skin hydration Excellent for hair growth Helps with joint pain Cons Large, difficult to swallow pills Need to take 6 pills per day HaMay contain sulfitess sulphuric flavor [amazon link="B005KG7EDU" title="Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate" /] [amazon box="B005KG7EDU"] Features Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate is an unflavored, Kosher type 1 bovine hide collagen powder. The daily suggested serving is two rounded tablespoons taken twice per day. The 16-ounce canister contains around 38 days worth of powder. Price Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate powder in a 16-ounce, 28-day supply container costs around $20 on Amazon. Pros Increases hair growth Affordable product Relatively flavorless Cons Contains only type 1 collagen Has 36 milligrams of sodium per serving Might upset stomach Comparison [amazon box="B005GHJNVY, B00KSMVZJ0, B015YG2MTQ, B00DKFE5LM, B006VAZYNG, B00K6JUG4K, B00XQ2XGAA, B0011DJ71I, B00028NGEC, B005KG7EDU" template="table"] The Verdict There are many collagen supplements on the market; each of them provides a mixture of different ingredients to assist the body in different ways. The best supplements contain an even blend of the three best types of collagen. Some people may prefer to take powdered collagen supplements because the pill form requires swallowing a lot of tablets or capsules every day. For those who prefer the powder form, PhiNaturals Collagen Complete collagen power is the best option. It contains all three collagen types plus a healthy serving of vitamin C. For those who’d prefer to take their supplements in a pill form, and for our best overall choice, we recommend Youtheory Collagen Advanced with Vitamin C. Youtheory has the most complete supplement profile sold at a great price.

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