For many reasons, collagen supplementation has become a must in the health and wellness industry. We get countless questions daily with regards to collagen supplements. From basic questions such as: “what’s the recommended dosage?”, “what age do I need to start considering taking collagen supplements?”, “are there known risks or side effects?”, to even the most detailed questions such as: “can too much collagen cause hair loss?“. Yes, we get all those questions and many more! 

Trying to find the answers to your questions on your own can be very overwhelming to say the least. How fortunate that you are here! We have all those answers and so many more right here at your fingertips!

What is Collagen’s Role in the Human Body? 

Collagen is a protein that’s found in the human body in high concentrations. It’s one of the main constituents of connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, and it’s also a major component of skin, hair, nails, bones, muscles, organs, blood and even teeth.

Collagen plays an important role in providing structural support for the body, but it also has other functions. One such example is that collagen fibers act as shock absorbers, helping to protect our joints and organs from trauma.

Collagen helps to keep our blood vessels healthy and prevents them from leaking. It also plays a role in wound healing by promoting the formation of new blood vessels and helping to repair damaged tissue. Perhaps an easier question to answer would be what doesn’t collagen do for the human body!

As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which then leads to wrinkles, joint pain, and a number of other age-related issues. So you see, collagen is essential for many different functions in the human body, making it a very vital protein.

How Collagen Helps Your Hair

Just like the rest of our body, our hair is dependent on collagen for its overall health. There are four major components of our hair health in which collagen plays a serious role.

1. Provides the Building Blocks For Your Hair Follicles

Hair follicles are the tiny tubes in the scalp that hair grows out of. Even each minute hair follicle contains collagen. Collagen is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of all proteins. Amino acids are essential for hair growth because they help hair follicles absorb nutrients from the blood. Without adequate collagen, hair follicles cannot absorb nutrients properly so, without collagen hair growth is rather impaired. 

2. Neutralizes Free Radicals and Prevents Hair Damage

The human body is constantly fighting a battle against free radicals. These unstable molecules damage cells, proteins  and DNA, and are a major contributing factor to aging and disease.

Your hair is especially vulnerable to free radical damage, which can cause breakage, fizziness and dullness. Collagen is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, preventing hair damage while working hard to keep your precious locks lustrous and full.

In addition to collagen’s protective effects, collagen also helps to keep your hair healthy, hydrated, flexible and strong by providing structural support.

3. Prevents Hair-Thinning and Brittle Hair

Collagen helps to keep hair follicles strong and prevents hair loss. It also helps to keep hair hydrated preventing it from becoming brittle and dry which of course leads to breaking. Collagen is known to help stimulate new hair growth and also works to keep the scalp healthy. Not enough collagen leads to thinning hair and a lot of other hair problems.

4. Slows Down the Process of Hair Graying

We have established that to have healthy hair, we need collagen. If our hair becomes unhealthy, especially because we are lacking collagen, the color or pigmentation of our hair also suffers. What happens when we lose the pigmentation? Graying happens!

If you want to slow down the graying process, consider collagen supplements to ensure your body has enough collagen to remain healthy!

What Causes Hair Loss?

There are so many factors that can contribute to hair loss, including stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and certain medical conditions. But by far the most common cause of hair loss is simply aging. To do what you can to age well is the best defense against hair loss. 

Collagen is a protein that helps to fortify the hair shaft and promote growth. The natural decrease in collagen production can lead to weak, brittle hair that is more susceptible to breakage and shedding.

Keeping the scalp hydrated and free from inflammation, both of which require collagen with its amino acids, are two factors that are critical for maintaining healthy hair follicles.

Do Collagen Supplements Really Work?

Just like with anything else, you can find both naysayers and those who will boast in their results. Let’s remember though that studies don’t lie. There are numerous studies that show positive results after taking collagen supplements for an extended time consistently.

How effective they are can indeed vary individually. The reason for such inconsistency is that one’s overall health, diet, exercise, sleep patterns, lifestyle and environmental stressors can and do have an effect on just how well collagen supplements work.

If you really want to know the answer to this question for yourself, give collagen supplementation a try. As noted, taken consistently for a period of extended time such as 3 to 6 months, you should see any number of positive results such as less wrinkles, stronger nails, healthier hair, less joint pain, more energy or quite possibly notice the ability to sleep better.

Experts suggest that failure to see any results could quite possibly come down to the quality of the supplement. Be sure to only consider a supplement from a highly reputable company. Anything less may be full of fillers and secondary ingredients.

How Much Collagen Should I Take Per Day?

Depending on what type of collagen supplement you decide is best for you such as powder, liquid or capsule, each will come with a suggested dosage. Of course, that dosage may also vary pending on your desired goal. A few less wrinkles may take a smaller dosage than say targeting a concern much more serious such as physical joint pain or arthritis.

Generally speaking though, the recommended amount of collagen per day is 10-15 grams. This amount leaves lots of room to begin with less but also the opportunity to gradually increase the dosage to 20 or 30 grams per day.

Once you find a dosage that works for you, stick with it consistently for at least 3-6 months to see the full benefits. 

Potential Side Effects Of Collagen

Because collagen is naturally produced by our body, there are very few potential side effects to be concerned about. But there is one in particular that should be taken seriously and that would be allergy related.

Collagen supplements are usually bovine or marine based. Anyone with a known allergy to seafood or shellfish should always proceed with caution, being sure to read the label for ingredients. Staying clear of any collagen supplement that has marine ingredients would be the safest option!

Any other possible side effects are usually provoked by the amount of collagen being taken. Too much collagen can be very hard for the body to digest or absorb. This can result in digestive issues such as bloating, gas or even diarrhea. In some cases of too much collagen people have reacted with minor skin irritations such as a rash.

This is usually a non-issue when beginning with a lower dosage and gradually increasing to give your body time to fully accept the new supplement..

Can You Take Too Much Collagen?

As you can see from the information above regarding potential side effects, you can take too much collagen and your body will let you know this through the various things we’ve talked about already: digestive issues or skin irritations.

In very extreme cases, large doses of collagen taken for a long period of time might clog pores on the scalp, or might even possibly trigger an immune response that leads to inflammation, both of which could cause possible hair loss.

So, can too much collagen cause hair loss? Yes in actuality, experts believe it could. Be assured however, that this amount would have to be considerably far more than the recommended dosage and usage of collagen that experts have set in place.

Our bodies are pretty good at getting rid of the excess of anything so there should never be too much collagen coursing through your body so too much of a good thing shouldn’t ever be a concern.

The Bottom Line

And there you have it! When it comes to collagen supplements there can be too much of a good thing and too much collagen can cause hair loss although it is highly unlikely! 

The benefits of collagen supplements for healthy hair is definitely worth considering. From hair growth to healthy hair follicles and less potential hair loss, what are you waiting for? Proceed to our Health BLOG and collagen product page where you will find informative resources and only the best quality products to ensure that your collagen supplementation is a very positive experience! 

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