Collagen drinks and powders have become a common diet supplement that can be found in most grocery and major department stores. With all the anti-aging hype about collagen, are collagen supplements important to include in a healthy diet?

“Research is unclear as to whether the benefits some people experience from collagen protein are due to the collagen itself or to consuming more protein in general,” said Sara Mathews, a registered dietitian at Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital.

Here are some points to help people decide if collagen supplements are right for them:

• Like all ingested proteins, collagen is broken down in the digestive system for use where the body needs the protein most. This means that collagen cannot be fully absorbed. Instead, it is ingested as the smallest protein component.
• Most research on collagen has been done with industry funding, which means study results may be biased.
• Preventing collagen breakdown in the body may be a more effective strategy to prevent skin aging and support joint health. Mathews encourages people to make healthy lifestyle choices and dietary choices, such as:
  • get enough sleep
  • Avoid high sugar intake, which can damage existing collagen.
  • A healthy diet rich in vitamin C and foods high in sulfur (citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, onions) to support collagen production in the body.

“As prudent consumers, people should generally be cautious about the claims surrounding collagen supplements and focus more on whole foods, high-quality protein sources, and other beneficial whole foods to limit the negative effects of aging,” Mathews said.

For more information, see Intermountainhealthcare.org.

About Intermountain Healthcare

Headquartered in Utah, with offices in seven states and additional offices in the western United States, Intermountain Healthcare is a not-for-profit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with approximately 3,800 staff physicians and advanced practice providers, a…