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Unsubstantiated collagen supplementation claims spotlighted

Posted 11 March 2022

Collagen, a component of skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, tendons, and cartilage, is marketed by major retailers as a dietary supplement product for health and beauty. Noting that there are over 8.5 million posts with the hashtag “collagen” on Instagram alone and Google searches for collagen supplements have increased rapidly since 2015, researchers: (a) watched and analyzed the first 100 YouTube videos resulting from a search of “collagen,” (b) analyzed the top 50 Instagram photographs with the hashtag “collagen,” (c) reviewed the scientific literature regarding skin, nail, and hair effects of collagen, and (d) reviewed websites of popular collagen brands for claims related to skin, nail, and hair.
Reference: Rustad AM. Myths and media in oral collagen supplementation for the skin, nails, and hair: A review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 21:438-443, 2022

Their findings included:

  • Over 75% of YouTube videos and Instagram posts recommended collagen
… Read the rest
March 11th, 2022 | Tags: , | Category: Collagen | Leave a comment

Collagen hype scrutinised

Posted 19 November 2020

Consumer Reports has spotlighted the lack of scientific support for claims that consuming collagen powders, pills, and foods can result in smoother skin, shinier hair, stronger nails, healthier joints, and more lean muscle mass.
Reference: Wadyka S. The real deal on collagen. Consumer Reports, Oct 13, 2020

The article notes that Nutrition Business Journal projects collagen supplement sales in the U.S. to reach $298 million this year—up from $73 million in 2015. Collagen is a protein that holds skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage together. But that doesn’t mean that consumers benefit from collagen in supplements or added to foods, such as energy bars, oatmeal, smoothies, coffee creamers, and popcorn. The human body makes collagen from glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and other amino acids when proteins (not limited to collagen) are digested. The bottom line in the article is that “until there’s more conclusive evidence in … Read the rest

November 18th, 2020 | Tags: | Category: Collagen | Leave a comment

Eating Collagen Is Becoming a Health Fad, And We Can Only Sit Back And Sigh

Posted 30 August 2018

From ScienceAlert written by Mike McRae 16 May 2018

No longer satisfied with injecting it into tired-looking, wrinkled skin, an increasing number of people are buying collagen in a powdered form to chow down as the newest fad in superfoods. 

For a while it’s been popular in the form of a ‘paleo diet’ meal, bone broth. But now we’re starting to see desiccated connective tissue as an ingredient in snacks and drinks.

This isn’t small beans either. There are roughly 300 products on the market advertising collagen additives, with sales estimated to have reached US$60 million over the past year.

What gives?

… Read the rest
August 30th, 2018 | Tags: | Category: Collagen | Leave a comment

Biogen Peptan Collagen – Does it work?

Posted 28 November 2017

Biogen (a Dischem brand) has been advertising Biogen Peptan Collagen extensively on Cape Talk, among other. This product is essentially hydrolyzed collagen. 

Does taking collagen have any benefits?

Here is a good review published in Time magazine online, which gives the low down on this ‘supplement’.

“There are many preliminary trials showing potential benefits for everything from osteoarthritis to skin improvement,” Moyad says. Research has also linked collagen supplements to improved skin elasticity and skin moisture. But Moyad emphasizes that all of this research is preliminary. “The studies are weak in general,” he says—meaning small in scope, short in duration or not yet replicated by follow-up experiments.

Another recent review of the claims is dissected in an article in Business Insider: It’s supposed to help your skin, improve joint health, and assist with gastrointestinal distress.

“Verdict? The cheapest way to get the supposed benefits of … Read the rest

November 28th, 2017 | Tags: , , | Category: Collagen | 8 comments

Collagen

Posted 05 January 2017

The latest advertising craze appears to be claiming that drinking/eating a collagen supplement, will improve a range of aspects of your body, in particular wrinkles.

The UK ASA received a complaint against one similar product: “A poster for Gold Collagen, seen on 7 January, which stated “More and more women are waking up to GOLD COLLAGEN what about you? Younger-looking skin Healthier hair Stronger nails”. A footnote stated “*Based on UK clinical trials on 108 voluteers [sic] taking PURE GOLD COLLAGEN daily (Double Blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial). Results published in leading medical journals. Includes vitamin C which contributes to normal collagen formation and the normal function of cartilage and skin. Includes zinc which contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails. Includes biotin, which contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and normal hair”.

A complainant challenged whether the following claims breached … Read the rest

January 5th, 2017 | Tags: , , | Category: Collagen | Leave a comment