Collagen Supplements

[entropy]

Do you use collagen supplements regularly?

If so, did you see benefits after 12 weeks of use? How many grams per day do you use? Apparently, this is how long it takes to see benefits and I’ve seen 5-10g a day is what people use.

There’s only anecdotal evidence for skin health and I wanted to give it a try. But I thought I’d ask before wasting money.

I may have gotten too fat and now that most of the weight is off there’s some loose belly skin. It’s barely noticeable but once I drop 20 more pounds it might be a problem.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BanditNOLIMIT]

I used 10g per day for about a year. I didn’t notice any change in my skin texture, however it wasn’t something I was monitoring. My finger nails started to become a lot stronger. I normally just bite them off, but they became very tough to bite through. They may have also grew a bit quicker, but that’s not something I was necessarily keeping track of.

I discontinued using it when I began using growth hormone, as it’s known to have similar benefits. Otherwise I’d likely still be using it daily.

 

[entropy]

I used 10g per day for about a year. I didn’t notice any change in my skin texture, however it wasn’t something I was monitoring. My finger nails started to become a lot stronger. I normally just bite them off, but they became very tough to bite through. They may have also grew a bit quicker, but that’s not something I was necessarily keeping track of.

I discontinued using it when I began using growth hormone, as it’s known to have similar benefits. Otherwise I’d likely still be using it daily.

Thank you for sharing your experience. A lot of people reported the same thing about nails. If that’s all it does, it may not be worth all the hype.

 

[DeeKnows]

When i was taking mk677 i noticed that my loose belly skin tightened up and my skin overall was much healthier looking and feeling.
Maybe try some gh type supplements instead.

 

[entropy]

When i was taking mk677 i noticed that my loose belly skin tightened up and my skin overall was much healthier looking and feeling.
Maybe try some gh type supplements instead.

Thank you for sharing this. I’m currently on hgh. Do you think I should still try mk677 cuz there may be some other mechanism that helps tighten skin? When I tried it along side 6iu of gh daily, I started to get jaw pain after 3 weeks or so. I stopped it because I thought I was experiencing jaw growth.

 

[gondar1]

I've never heard of collagen supps doing anything good other than for a bit for skin.
A tangent here -

Heard about this elsewhere, slowly investigating - looking for the downside(s). Too good to b true? I have some thoughts about that already but nothing I can back up, just theoretical. Most obvious one is if it increases tendon size it could cause mechanical issues. For example anywhere where a tendon moves through an already tight space it could cause more friction then inflammation. Effects on other qualities of the tissue like stiffness. The noted uneven effects particularly within the same tendon (@Slartibartfast ), does this create a weak, vulnerable link? Systemic effects on organs? CV?
Why isn't every dude who lifts heavy, fuck every athlete period, already on this ? One of the best kept secrets ever?

Also though they list no conflicts of interest some of the funding was from the eventual manufacturer, maybe some negs were noted but "omitted".

Also spending a lot of time thinking "how the fuck did I miss this?". gondar disappoint

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17461391.2023.2232758

TENDOFORTE® | GELITA

Tendons and ligaments determine mobility Strong tendons and ligaments are crucial for lifelong wellness and physical activity. Ligaments bind bones together and tendons bind muscle to bone. Made of collagen, they are the connecting elements of the body, crucial for movement control, stability...

www.gelita.com

CanPrev Collagen Tendo Recover Powder, 250 g

CanPrev Collagen Tendo Recover Powder Description TendoForte® Bioactive Collagen Peptides help build connective tissue strength. Clinically studied for chronic ankle instability and Achilles tendinopathy symptoms. Improves joint movement after injury. Active and aging individuals often suffer...

www.vitamart.ca

 

[DeeKnows]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m currently on hgh. Do you think I should still try mk677 cuz there may be some other mechanism that helps tighten skin? When I tried it along side 6iu of gh daily, I started to get jaw pain after 3 weeks or so. I stopped it because I thought I was experiencing jaw growth.

I dont know enough about gh to help you decide that. I only know mk677 will cause a steady level increase in gh and taking hgh causes short high bursts.
Id assume they both help skin in the same way, maybe the long steady increase is better for the skin health. Like i said im not very knowledgeable in gh use, sorry.
But i was very happy with loose skin firming back up during mk677 use. I thought i was gonna have some old man skin folds in my midsection. I let myself go for a few years bodyfat wise and when i decided to get back into shape again i was left with loose ab skin.

 

[DeeKnows]

Id think gh, anavar plus the raw ingredients/supplements for skin growth, health, elasticity like vitamin e and others would give the best results. Moisterizer helps aswell. I know its silly but overlooked by many men who think moisterizer is just for women. It does help keep skin firmer/elasticity

 

[entropy]

I've never heard of collagen supps doing anything good other than for a bit for skin.
A tangent here -

Heard about this elsewhere, slowly investigating - looking for the downside(s). Too good to b true? I have some thoughts about that already but nothing I can back up, just theoretical. Most obvious one is if it increases tendon size it could cause mechanical issues. For example anywhere where a tendon moves through an already tight space it could cause more friction then inflammation. Effects on other qualities of the tissue like stiffness. The noted uneven effects particularly within the same tendon (@Slartibartfast ), does this create a weak, vulnerable link? Systemic effects on organs? CV?
Why isn't every dude who lifts heavy, fuck every athlete period, already on this ? One of the best kept secrets ever?

Also though they list no conflicts of interest some of the funding was from the eventual manufacturer, maybe some negs were noted but "omitted".

Also spending a lot of time thinking "how the fuck did I miss this?". gondar disappoint

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17461391.2023.2232758

TENDOFORTE® | GELITA

Tendons and ligaments determine mobility Strong tendons and ligaments are crucial for lifelong wellness and physical activity. Ligaments bind bones together and tendons bind muscle to bone. Made of collagen, they are the connecting elements of the body, crucial for movement control, stability...

www.gelita.com

CanPrev Collagen Tendo Recover Powder, 250 g

CanPrev Collagen Tendo Recover Powder Description TendoForte® Bioactive Collagen Peptides help build connective tissue strength. Clinically studied for chronic ankle instability and Achilles tendinopathy symptoms. Improves joint movement after injury. Active and aging individuals often suffer...

www.vitamart.ca

When I read about these collagen supplements in general, they all mentioned it helps with tendons and ligaments. One of the other reasons why I wanted to give it a try. But like you said, if it did anything every athlete would be on it and doctors would be recommending it.

 

[entropy]

I dont know enough about gh to help you decide that. I only know mk677 will cause a steady level increase in gh and taking hgh causes short high bursts.
Id assume they both help skin in the same way, maybe the long steady increase is better for the skin health. Like i said im not very knowledgeable in gh use, sorry.
But i was very happy with loose skin firming back up during mk677 use. I thought i was gonna have some old man skin folds in my midsection. I let myself go for a few years bodyfat wise and when i decided to get back into shape again i was left with loose ab skin.

This is exactly what I’m scared of. The loose ab skin. How long did it take for you to tighten back up?

 

[Barry Morewood]

I have lost a considerable amount of weight twice in my life. Grew up heavy, ballooned to 270lbs at about 35% bodyfat at 27 consistently training. Decided enough was enough when I turned 30 and got down to 205. Small loose belly pouch but not too noticeable.

At 35 hit a rough patch quit training and managed to get up to 290lbs with far less muscle probably over 50% bf by the time I was 38.
Started training again at 39 and slowly over four years got down to 200 by the time I was 43.

I've maintained my weight and continued to train and the loose skin has slowly improved I have an upper ballsack when doing a plank.
My theory on loose skin is that you loose fat from the inside out and your skin is attached to the outer layer of fat. You can see this on fit women when they have babies and the skin quickly tightens up. Genetics play a role for sure but I'm 100% convinced that if I can get under 10% bodyfat and maintain it most of if not all my loose skin would tighten up. Stretch marks are another matter, I think castor oil can help a lot but I'm not that concerned about that.

Ground beef has a lot of collagen I think, maybe Sorbate can chime in.

 

[entropy]

I have lost a considerable amount of weight twice in my life. Grew up heavy, ballooned to 270lbs at about 35% bodyfat at 27 consistently training. Decided enough was enough when I turned 30 and got down to 205. Small loose belly pouch but not too noticeable.

At 35 hit a rough patch quit training and managed to get up to 290lbs with far less muscle probably over 50% bf by the time I was 38.
Started training again at 39 and slowly over four years got down to 200 by the time I was 43.

I've maintained my weight and continued to train and the loose skin has slowly improved I have an upper ballsack when doing a plank.
My theory on loose skin is that you loose fat from the inside out and your skin is attached to the outer layer of fat. You can see this on fit women when they have babies and the skin quickly tightens up. Genetics play a role for sure but I'm 100% convinced that if I can get under 10% bodyfat and maintain it most of if not all my loose skin would tighten up. Stretch marks are another matter, I think castor oil can help a lot but I'm not that concerned about that.

Ground beef has a lot of collagen I think, maybe Sorbate can chime in.

Thank you for sharing your story. I’m very similar in terms of lost pounds your first round. Will lose a total of 80 lbs hopefully before I can focus on gradually eating for muscle growth. You gave me hope. I will not let myself get out of shape again and will ride it out. Thank you.

 

[Goldenrod]

Hi @entropy - I'm not against collagen and if it helps someone take it. I never found it did anything for me in any respect. I took a bit of a deeper dive into why and what might be as good keeping price in mind.
The combo of L-Lysine, L-Proline, and Arginine came up as being better due to the oral bioavailability. Do they work - not sure but I have been taking the three (not expensive) and not high doses and it helps some of the joints I typically have pain in.
I am sure if you look long enough you will find similar info. Even for people who just want the skin benefits - I am sure there are a few people who indicate these 3 are much better for bioavailability and total body use of 'collagen'. I have no proof as I can't list the link but can come back when I find some again and do so. I am a firm believe that one product might help @gondar1 and does zip for me or vice versa. Many say MSM, Gluc, Chon supps are useless but ask @Oldguyjiujitsu and I am sure he said it helps him a lot. He is a well respected member. For some older ladies with bad knees - if they didn't take this supplement they walk hills or bike.
So many supplements - and so many different opinions.
If you go the direction of the 3 products instead of collagen, happy to look up the dosage I take. Arginine has the benefit of NO and the natural Viagra and vascularity.
Hope what ever you do works.

 

[Oldguyjiujitsu]

I am a believer in Bone broth as an unprocessed source of collagen. (2 cups per day). I have been consuming it for years now.

It for sure helps with inflammation in the joints. I am not sure if it has improved my skin but hair and nails grow faster when consuming consistently.

I also take gluc/chon for literally 20 years. It helps my knees 100%. (As @Goldenrod says, it helps some and not others but i see a big difference if I stop)

Cjc/ipamorlin are reported to improve skin as well but not sure I ever seen a difference. But after 50 I am fighting an uphill battle in that regard. I have never taken copper peptides but they are meant to improve skin elasticity.

 

[Sorbate]

I've never heard of collagen supps doing anything good other than for a bit for skin.
A tangent here -

Heard about this elsewhere, slowly investigating - looking for the downside(s). Too good to b true? I have some thoughts about that already but nothing I can back up, just theoretical. Most obvious one is if it increases tendon size it could cause mechanical issues. For example anywhere where a tendon moves through an already tight space it could cause more friction then inflammation.

Could this not occur because when we train and get larger, tendons must increase in size to compensate?
I was talking to someone at work about this yesterday. I know I get impingements in my shoulder, that I never got before when I was less muscular, so now I have to avoid specific exercises that increase the risk. I am not that huge, so I wonder if this gets worse in even more muscular or extremely strong people.

Effects on other qualities of the tissue like stiffness. The noted uneven effects particularly within the same tendon (@Slartibartfast ), does this create a weak, vulnerable link? Systemic effects on organs? CV?
Why isn't every dude who lifts heavy, fuck every athlete period, already on this ? One of the best kept secrets ever?

Also though they list no conflicts of interest some of the funding was from the eventual manufacturer, maybe some negs were noted but "omitted".

Also spending a lot of time thinking "how the fuck did I miss this?". gondar disappoint

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17461391.2023.2232758

TENDOFORTE® | GELITA

Tendons and ligaments determine mobility Strong tendons and ligaments are crucial for lifelong wellness and physical activity. Ligaments bind bones together and tendons bind muscle to bone. Made of collagen, they are the connecting elements of the body, crucial for movement control, stability...

www.gelita.com

CanPrev Collagen Tendo Recover Powder, 250 g

CanPrev Collagen Tendo Recover Powder Description TendoForte® Bioactive Collagen Peptides help build connective tissue strength. Clinically studied for chronic ankle instability and Achilles tendinopathy symptoms. Improves joint movement after injury. Active and aging individuals often suffer...

www.vitamart.ca

I have another theory about bodybuilders. Reason why lots do not use collagen sumplements or don’t eat the apporprate foods that have collagen/tendon building blocks in it. Because of the “getting fat” paranoia. So avoid fatty foods, don’t eat chicken skin, just extra lean ground beef and skinless chicken breasts. My thought is they are increasing tendon degradation because of this. Just like we eat protein for muscles, would that not also apply to eat building blocks like collagen for our tendons, ligaments and connective tissues (joint health)?

Now that being said, going back to your thought on increased tendon size being an issue, maybe because I eat items with collagen and connective tissue and take collagen supplements, that could be some of my impingement issues? Or is it because I have a small frame and really carry more muscle mass (so increased tendons size) then it was really designed for?

 

[gondar1]

I am a believer in Bone broth as an unprocessed source of collagen. (2 cups per day). I have been consuming it for years now.

Details please? Source? Brand? Flavour? Do you add anything for flavour or another reason? Beef or different beast? Last one I tried tasted like cremation remains

 

[Heraclitus]

Hi @entropy - I'm not against collagen and if it helps someone take it. I never found it did anything for me in any respect. I took a bit of a deeper dive into why and what might be as good keeping price in mind.
The combo of L-Lysine, L-Proline, and Arginine came up as being better due to the oral bioavailability. Do they work - not sure but I have been taking the three (not expensive) and not high doses and it helps some of the joints I typically have pain in.
I am sure if you look long enough you will find similar info. Even for people who just want the skin benefits - I am sure there are a few people who indicate these 3 are much better for bioavailability and total body use of 'collagen'. I have no proof as I can't list the link but can come back when I find some again and do so. I am a firm believe that one product might help @gondar1 and does zip for me or vice versa. Many say MSM, Gluc, Chon supps are useless but ask @Oldguyjiujitsu and I am sure he said it helps him a lot. He is a well respected member. For some older ladies with bad knees - if they didn't take this supplement they walk hills or bike.
So many supplements - and so many different opinions.
If you go the direction of the 3 products instead of collagen, happy to look up the dosage I take. Arginine has the benefit of NO and the natural Viagra and vascularity.
Hope what ever you do works.

I throw glycine into the mix. It's a large part of collagen and I read that gram for gram, collagen production was far greater with supplemental glycine than with collagen.
It's also a rate limiting amino for glutathione synthesis, so that's another bonus for glycine.

 

[gondar1]

Could this not occur because when we train and get larger, tendons must increase in size to compensate?
I was talking to someone at work about this yesterday. I know I get impingements in my shoulder, that I never got before when I was less muscular, so now I have to avoid specific exercises that increase the risk. I am not that huge, so I wonder if this gets worse in even more muscular or extremely strong people.



I have another theory about bodybuilders. Reason why lots do not use collagen sumplements or don’t eat the apporprate foods that have collagen/tendon building blocks in it. Because of the “getting fat” paranoia. So avoid fatty foods, don’t eat chicken skin, just extra lean ground beef and skinless chicken breasts. My thought is they are increasing tendon degradation because of this. Just like we eat protein for muscles, would that not also apply to eat building blocks like collagen for our tendons, ligaments and connective tissues (joint health)?

Now that being said, going back to your thought on increased tendon size being an issue, maybe because I eat items with collagen and connective tissue and take collagen supplements, that could be some of my impingement issues? Or is it because I have a small frame and really carry more muscle mass (so increased tendons size) then it was really designed for?

Great insight there I think. I discussed this with my surgeons. If one has the type of acromion that is curved or hooked (type 2 or 3) the tolerance of the supraspinatus tendon where it passes through there are already pretty tight. On top of having that type of acromion they estimated that my tendons were something like 15 -25% larger than normal. No way to tell if that was due to training because we had no pre training measurement to compare to. I was very young when I fucked this up. Having bigger tendons, worst acromion structure and far too much youthful exuberance combined with stupidly reckless form and weight shredded my tendons. I got big in a hurry but in the long run spent too much time off recovering from surgeries.

That's just the shoulder, and one specific part of it. I'm sure tolerances throughout the body must be similarly tight. I now believe that tendon size could commonly increase somewhere in the neighborhood of 15% over untrained men from lifting and I don't think that can be avoided. I question if I personally should try the supp I mentioned because I don't know if my tendons are already maxed out size wise or not. In my case I think it's possible that getting them thicker could be a real disaster. For someone who doesn't have any issues already or a mechanical problem I think if it works as described it could be a great benefit.

100% agree with the second part of your post. This is one part of the puzzle where for some reason I have always thought "whole foods" made a difference vs an isolated supplement.

 

[DeeKnows]

This is exactly what I’m scared of. The loose ab skin. How long did it take for you to tighten back up?

I went from 25% bodyfat to just under 10% in a year and when flexing abs i was getting folds.

So about 3-4 weeks into 250 test 250 deca 25 proviron and 15mg mk677 i noticed my skin was different and firmed up. The folds were gone! Just overall better skin throughout. None of the other compounds ive used other than anavar had anything close to the effect mk677 had on my skin. This is just my personal experience. Might not be the same for everyone.

 

[Oldguyjiujitsu]

Details please? Source? Brand? Flavour? Do you add anything for flavour or another reason? Beef or different beast? Last one I tried tasted like cremation remains

This the one I purchase. You can get it at most big name grocery in the “health isle” SuperStore, Sav on Foods, Safeway, etc. It tastes good heated, not cold. Mostly i add a cup with ground meat to make it juicy and then when the meat is gone i drink the broth.