Too Much Of A Good Thing: Can You Take Too Much Collagen?

We’ve all heard the old adage that you can have too much of a good thing.

Here at Absolute Collagen we have (begrudgingly) accepted that this is the case when it comes to our favourite chocolate treats! But does the same apply to consuming collagen? If so, how much is too much?

On the flip side, is there a minimum amount you ought to take in order to notice positive results? These are two questions that we often get asked by our lovely #Absoluters. Join us as we set the record straight on the ideal collagen dosage.

Why Take Collagen In The First Place?

Firstly, you might be wondering why you should take collagen in the first place. After all, as the main component of your bones, skin and connective tissue, your body already produces its own collagen naturally. Here’s the crucial part though - our production of collagen starts to slow down and deplete as we age. When this officially starts to occur varies from person to person but typically it starts at 25.

Why does this matter? Well, decreased collagen levels are associated with visible signs of ageing and can result in collagen deficiencies.

Of course, the passage of time and genetics are both facts of life and something that can’t be helped. However, there are other lifestyle changes we can make to prevent such drastic collagen damage or loss. For instance, avoiding too much sun exposure, smoking, and a high sugar diet is vital. Getting enough sleep and water and taking Absolute Collagen can also help compensate for the loss we experience naturally.

So what, precisely, is the ideal collagen dosage to take? And what are the consequences of taking too much or too little?

Is there such a thing as too much collagen?

Quite simply, a large amount of collagen is unlikely to cause you any harm. 

At Absolute Collagen, one sachet contains 8000mg of marine collagen. The reason being is that it’s the most collagen your body can successfully consume at any one time. Any more than this, and the absorption rate significantly drops and our bodies struggle to process the collagen effectively. The same goes for your protein intake, which is why we do not recommend taking your daily dose of collagen at the same time as a protein shake.

Our skin expert and self confessed Absoluter Dr Ne Win agrees that excess collagen is unlikely to cause any issues. “With Absolute Collagen you can take it with complete assurance. The natural marine collagen is hydrolysed so that means it's broken down into smaller peptide units that your body can absorb easily. The body is an amazing machine and it gets rid of what we don't need. The Absolute Collagen sachets are dosed for maximum benefit so there will be no waste. A sachet a day is the right way!” 

You might notice that some collagen companies recommend taking more than 8000mg a day. This is due to their product having a higher molecular weight. This might sound like a positive thing but, in actual fact, it means your body will only absorb a small percentage. Absolute Collagen, however, has a low molecular weight meaning the body can absorb 90-95% of each dose. 

If you do want to take more than 8000mg, then we recommend that you stagger your dose throughout the day. For instance, you might take one collagen sachet in the morning with your breakfast and one before your bedtime skin routine. If at any point you are concerned about how much collagen you’re taking, or if you start experiencing any strange symptoms, it is worth consulting with your doctor.

Before you assign any negative changes to too much collagen, however, it’s also sensible to scrutinise any additional ingredients in your supplement. Absolute Collagen sachets contain a mere 6 ingredients – all of which are entirely safe and natural. Included in our drink are marine collagen peptides, water, citric acid, vitamin c, Stevia sweetener and natural lemon flavouring.

In comparison, other methods of consuming collagen, such as collagen pills can often contain unknown chemical fillers and binders. Not only that, they often contain less collagen per serving. Taking a collagen supplement with just 1g less than ours equates to 31 grams of collagen your body is missing out on every month. 

Our product is also free from lactose, gluten and dairy so it is completely suitable for those with related intolerances. Likewise, it is perfectly fine to consume if you are diabetic. 

What is the minimum dosage of collagen a day? 

You might wonder if there is a minimum dosage of collagen you should take in order to see benefits. As mentioned previously, we recommend that you take one Absolute Collagen sachet a day (8000mg).

If you take less than this amount and still notice positive changes then by all means, continue with what works for you! Alternatively, if you’re taking the recommended amount of collagen daily and aren’t seeing instant results – don’t feel disheartened. One thing to be aware of is that you can’t pick and choose where collagen will be used in the body. For example, if you’re taking Absolute Collagen because you want to see improvements to your skin, but your bones and muscles are collagen deprived, these areas will likely be addressed first. Perseverance is key!

Ultimately, what works for one person may not work for someone else.
Indeed, when you consider how different people are, be it age, height or lifestyle, there’s not a one size fits all solution when it comes to collagen dosage. 

Have you started to notice positive results from taking Absolute Collagen? We’d love to hear from you! Why not drop us a line to tell us how much collagen you’ve been taking daily and what progress you’ve seen?