Collagen is sold as a dietary supplement against wrinkles. It appeals to me. Does it work and how much can you take per day?
Joris Bartstra, journalist with a medical degree.
Collagen is a protein that provides strength and elasticity in humans and animals, including the skin, bones, tendons, cartilage and teeth. The nutritional supplement industry suggests that you should take in extra collagen (in the form of nutritional supplements) later in life because you make less of it as you get older. These supplements are made from offal from mammals, poultry and fish, and are said to protect against wrinkles, among other things. Collagen is, after you eat it, broken down in the gastrointestinal tract into amino acids: building blocks from which the body makes useful substances. Your body cannot tell whether an amino acid comes from a cow, a fish or a soybean.
The recommended daily doses range from 2 to 20 grams. This is mainly prompted by whether the manufacturer offers pills or powders.
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