Is it true that collagen makes you fat? we answer that question

In the world of proteins there is a special group, known as structural proteins, within that group we find, for example, collagen and keratin. These proteins are known to form the basis of cartilage, hair, nails and skin.

All of these proteins, from a cellular point of view, are the equivalents of the columns, beams, wood, cement and nails of a construction. However, there are those who think that taking structural proteins, including collagen, makes you gain weight.

Considering that collagen is produced by our own body, certain doubts may arise. Taking, for example, the previous analogy, is it possible for someone to get to the point of overdoing beams, columns and so on? Is it possible that someone can make “their build” look thicker and heavier by consuming collagen? In short, is it true that collagen makes you fat?

Myths about collagen

As we know, myths are the product of the mixture between truth and lies. So, in the case of health, it is normal for us to pay more attention to the fanciful and scandalous lies than to the serious and timid truths. And this goes both ways: you can exaggerate both the benefits and the side effects of a certain medication or treatment.

With reference to proteins, certain analogies are produced by making a bad mix between truth and visual lie. Have you seen these big guys with noticeable muscles leaving a gym? They come from lifting weights of up to 120 kilograms in sets of several repetitions and, when they finish their training, they leave the place with a well-loaded protein shake.

Obviously, for people with demanding training regimens, adequate protein intake is essential for building muscle mass, and they will undoubtedly gain weight in the process. However, this weight gain is from muscle mass, not fat ( 1 )

So the conclusion seems logical: if someone is not going to follow a strong training, but increases their protein intake (like the one in the main topic of this article), their weight will also increase. In this sense, we must remember that the food we eat and do not metabolize accumulates in the body in the form of fat. Anyone, seeing these details, would say: “collagen makes you fat.”

Like this one, we could continue discussing other myths and related questions, such as: Which is more likely to make us gain weight: hydrolyzed collagen or vegetable collagen? Is plant collagen more “natural”? And of course, when consuming collagen, what is the recommended dose?

You may be interested: Is it good to take collagen?

Composition of hydrolyzed and vegetable collagen

In order to establish differences, and therefore reasons, we must first understand which of all we can truly call “natural collagen”. Your majesty, collagen, is a protein (macromolecule) of exclusively animal origin. Only animals and humans produce it. So exclusively natural collagen is what our own bodies produce in their life cycle. Let's then move on to conceptualize these two types of collagen.

Do you know what we mean by the process called “hydrolysis”? Well, basically, it refers to using water to cause lysis or in other words, breaking up a molecule. When we talk about hydrolyzed collagen , we are referring to the compound that results from reacting water with primary sources of collagen (such as pig skin, bovine leather or the bones of both).

Part of the result is a molecule with high amounts of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline (essential amino acids for creating collagen in all your tissues), but which will be easier for humans to digest. In addition, 15 to 20 types of other amino acids that are also useful for our body will also be partially obtained.

This hydrolyzed collagen will generally have the appearance of gelatin. As we see, it is not exactly natural collagen but rather a collagen of natural origin but modified to facilitate its absorption and initiate its effects on the bones, joints, skin, and other tissues ( 2 ).

Now, by mentioning plant collagen , perhaps we are putting together two words that, apparently, would have nothing to do next to each other. This is because plants do not use collagen to bind tissues, they do not have tendons, bones, nails or hair, and they do not need collagen in their interstitial tissue.

However, in the animal kingdom there are also proteins with glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Like hydrolyzed collagen, these proteins are broken down into amino acids and only then absorbed.

Additionally, there are foods that we consume that contribute to the formation of this important protein macromolecule. All these nutrients that contribute to the formation of collagen are not necessarily of animal origin. They can be derived from plants as well.

This is how foods as well-known and common to us as carrots can become excellent sources of raw material so that our body can create quality collagen, apart from other benefits such as its antioxidant property.

You may be interested in: How long is it advisable to take collagen?

Vegetable collagen Veggie Collagen

Most of us know that the appearance of our hair, nails, and skin are one of the best indicators of collagen production. The attractiveness of these body tissues depends on collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid and other important molecules.

By nature, we all appreciate that our hair always looks good. Well, a good quality of collagen in our body will make hair grow healthy and increase its resistance.

Likewise, the presence of collagen will be seen in the shiny and silky appearance of our hair. And with strong, healthy and moldable hair, anyone (especially ladies) can create the styles and hairstyles they want.

All this and more can be achieved with the help of a healthy diet, which includes all foods that help in the formation of collagen for our body.

But, at the same time, it must include supplements that enhance this. It is here that the consumption of “ Veggie Collagen” will have a very good effect. The reasons why adding this plant collagen to your diet will be very effective are shown below:

• By consuming the pure extract of a secret ingredient produced in carrots, we help the body produce the protein it needs to always be beautiful.
• Curcumin is known for its contribution to improving circulation. Its incorporation into Veggie Collagen will promote better functioning of the entire body ( 2 ).
• Biotin, an abundant vitamin in the plant world, is a key element in accelerating hair growth and strengthening ( 3 ).

See Veggie Collagen

Recommended collagen dosage

To address this point, let's talk again about hydrolyzed collagen and its recommended consumption. Generally, this type of collagen is sold in powder, but also in capsules or liquids. Studies with proven efficacy recommend 10 g per day as the ideal dose ( 4 ). It is best to dilute it in water, juice or a soft food such as puree. However, it is necessary to take certain care at this point. Of course, one of the precautions that you should not take is if collagen makes you fat.

First of all, this presentation of collagen should not be administered like this for a long time. It is highly recommended to rest every 2 to 3 months, with a minimum of one month as a rest period.

Secondly, the recommended dose is high, so it is difficult to take it in more convenient presentations (tablets or liquid). All of this makes consuming collagen of this type look more like a medical treatment than a healthy daily routine with excellent benefits in the short, medium and long term.

In the case of vegetable collagen (Veggie Collagen) the situation is totally different. Being a plant equivalent to natural collagen, this formula allows administration to be conveniently simpler and more comfortable (capsules and liquid).

In addition, it does not contain gluten, soy, lactose, dyes, preservatives, or added flavors. The liquid version of this magnificent supplement has almost double the concentration of the active ingredient compared to the capsule version.

And, as a special recommendation, you can start with the liquid version before the capsule version. After 3 months, you can switch to the capsule version if you prefer, confident in both cases that you will not encounter any unpleasant side effects. On the other hand, the positive (and expected) benefits of using vegetable collagen (Veggie Collagen) can be noticed after just 30 days of consumption.

As we have seen, collagen being a protein made up of amino acids, it will not have a decisive influence on our weight. If you thought or wondered if collagen makes you fat, the answer is NO. The components of this important molecule do not contain fats or carbohydrates, which are what negatively affect standing on the scale.

We have made it very clear that the main function of this protein is to help us take care of the unity, cohesion, and flexibility of our body. Since we know that consuming collagen is so beneficial, we will not worry so much about one more gram or one less gram in our diet.

For those who think that collagen makes you fat, we could respond that this protein is on the same level as fruits and fish: healthy, nutritious, and although it provides calories, it is not the most appropriate starting point if what you want is to lose weight.