There are now literally hundreds of hydrolysed collagen products on the world market today with new brands popping up seemingly every week. So how do you know which one to choose? How do you even know if they are safe to consume or how much you should take?

Well let’s cut the promotional ‘spin’ and get straight to the facts.

Worldwide, authorities have continually attested to the safety of hydrolysed collagen. Based on international research results, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission for Health and Consumer Protection, and the European Food Safety Authority  have all confirmed that hydrolysed collagen is totally safe for human consumption. In the United States the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified gelatin, from which collagen peptides are prepared, as a safe substance. 

Collagen has GRAS status (Generally Recognised As Safe ) with no recommended daily intake limit as it is a natural food ingredient in commonly consumed foods.

The United States FDA reports that:

'No significant adverse findings other than rare hypersensitivity have been found in the examination of data from feeding and biochemical experiments. Thus, there is no evidence to demonstrate a hazard to the public at the level collagen is consumed as a food or a food ingredient. Based on these considerations, the Select Committee concludes that: There is no evidence in the available information on collagen that demonstrates or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect a hazard to the public when it is used at levels that are now current or that might reasonably be expected in the future'.

Hydrolysed collagen’s safe status is backed by solid evidence including numerous independent scientific studies.

This Japanese study is the first to investigate the biological safety of fish collagen in accordance with ISO standards. All tests for cell toxicity, sensitization, chromosomal aberrations, intracutaneous reactions, acute systemic toxicity, pyrogenic reactions, and hemolysis were negative according to the criteria of the ISO and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

To this day, there are more than 60 scientific studies (in vitro, in vivo, clinics and on bioavailability) about Hydrolysed Collagen ingestion efficacy on reducing collagen damage and loss consequences as joint pain and erosion (osteoarthritis), bone density loss (osteoporosis) and skin ageing.

Numerous preclinical studies show that Hydrolysed Collagen stimulates collagenic tissue regeneration by increasing not only collagen synthesis but minor components (glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid) synthesis as well. Clinical studies show that Hydrolysed Collagen continual ingestion helps to reduce and prevent joint pain, bone density loss and skin ageing. These results as well as its high level of tolerance and safety make Hydrolysed Collagen ingestion attractive for a long-term use in bone and joint degenerative diseases and in fight against skin ageing.

Most hydrolysed collagen is around 90% protein and its best not to take protein supplements if you have existing kidney disease . A high protein diet (appx >1.2g of protein/kg body weight) is proven to be harmful for people with existing kidney dysfunction. So if you have a preexisting kidney illness, see your doctor before supplementing with any protein powders including collagen.

However the overwhelming evidence proves that eating a high protein diet or supplementing with collagen hydrolysate does not harm the kidneys in healthy people.

Rarely, minor side effects, such as nausea, flatulence or dyspepsia, may occur in some people the first time they ingest collagen peptides.

So we've established that Hydrolysed collagen is safe to consume even in high amounts, but what about the safety of different brands?

Well buyer beware!

Some hydrolysed collagen brand labels may state ‘may contain’ because there is a possibility that traces of an allergen may be present in the food unintentionally, such as food processed on the same equipment as products that contain nuts and other substances.

The main foods or ingredients that may cause severe adverse reactions must be declared on the label no matter how small the amount. Common foods that may cause allergies include peanuts, other nuts, seafood, fish, milk, gluten, eggs, soybeans, and sulfites.

So don’t be misled by labelling tricks and traps.

The terms used on food labels are often misleading (and too tiny to read). Always check the label on your collagen packet carefully as often warnings such as;

• May also contain gluten, soy, milk and egg.
• Produced In A Facility That Handles Milk and fish Products And Tree Nuts.
• Contains sulfites and vegetable magnesium stearat
• Manufactured on equipment that also produces products containing Milk, Soy, Egg, Tree Nuts, Sesame, Lupin and Peanuts.

can be in the fine print.

If they are – STAY CLEAR!

When in doubt, contact the manufacturer.

This brand is the world's most researched Collagen and renowned for its purity.

It DOES NOT CONTAIN:

• Soy, dairy, eggs, nuts, shellfish, and is Gluten free
• Cholesterol or fats
• GMO or Glyphosate
• Pesticide and Hormones
• Fillers, artificial colours, or preservatives

The safety of collagen peptide and gelatin is widely recognized and reported.

So, finally, the facts don't lie.

It is proven that hydrolysed collagen is not only totally safe to consume, but is a bioactive ingredient that has been specifically developed to deliver multiple health benefits and functional properties.