Can You Take Collagen With Other Vitamins?
If you take any kind of supplement, you might know certain ones should be paired together. For example, vitamin D and calcium often go hand-in-hand since vitamin D helps absorb calcium and helps the body utilize it for new bone formation. But what about that collagen powder you take every day? Can you take collagen with other vitamins? What should you know?
In this article, we answer these questions and more, helping you better understand collagen supplementation and how best to consume it.
Where Does Collagen Go In The Body?
Collagen supplementation actually gets broken down into amino acids in the body. This means that consuming a collagen supplement often does have collagen-boosting effects, such as improved skin health and reduced skin aging.
So, can you take collagen with other vitamins? Should you?
Taking collagen alongside other supplements or foods containing certain nutrients can enhance your body’s capacity to transform the collagen you consume into usable collagen in the body. A few common nutrients that aid collagen production includes:
- Vitamin C: This vitamin aids in collagen synthesis, making it ideal to consume adequate amounts alongside collagen supplementation. In fact, many collagen powders come with vitamin C included. Alternatively, examples of vitamin C-rich foods include oranges, orange juice, peppers, potatoes, and more.
- Proline: Proline, another amino acid, is another substance necessary to support protein synthesis. Some examples of high-proline foods include egg whites, dairy products, beef, and asparagus.
- Copper: Copper peptides, in particular, have been shown to increase collagen proteins and may help reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Organ meats, fish, shellfish, and nuts are great options to ensure you get enough copper in your diet.
- Zinc: This trace mineral acts as a cofactor for collagen production. One of the best all-natural food sources of zinc is oysters.
How is Collagen Produced?
This is an important question to answer since it may help you understand exactly why collagen meshes so well with other specific vitamins and minerals. Collagen is made by boiling animal bones, skin, and cartilage. This allows the easy extraction of collagen from these animal parts, which is then put through the process of hydrolysis. Hydrolysis makes collagen easy for the body to digest and absorb.
At the end of the day, collagen used to be consumed by our ancestors via eating and using the whole animal. This often resulted in consuming various nutrients that support collagen absorption and production. Today, we simply don’t eat the whole animal. Thus, collagen supplementation is more necessary than ever before (as is ensuring we get proper corresponding vitamins and nutrients to ensure its production within the body).
What Supplements Should Not Be Taken With Collagen?
There isn’t evidence supporting that collagen interferes with other supplements and vice versa. On top of this, any side effects of overconsumption of collagen are usually mild and may include diarrhea, the feeling of fullness in the stomach, and rashes. Yet, these are very rare.
All in all, the answer to can you take collagen with other vitamins is a resounding yes! Most sources recommend consuming between 2.5 and 15 grams of collagen per day. Collagen powder is also ultra-easy to include in any diet. It can be added to your morning coffee, smoothie, soups, baked goods, and more!
Do Collagen Supplements Really Work?
By taking collagen regularly (and supporting its intake with other vitamins!), you can improve your skin health, prevent aging, enhance joint health, improve muscle mass, and lead a better, healthier, and happier life. There are countless studies supporting these health benefits associated with collagen, particularly regarding collagen’s skin-enhancing effects, such as improved skin hydration, elasticity, and collagen density.
Start taking collagen today and experience the beneficial effects for yourself! And when it comes to whether you can take collagen with other vitamins, you can. In fact, you should (or, at least, ensure you get those nutrients via your diet) to truly experience increased collagen production in the body and all the advantages that come with it.