Women with kidney, liver, metabolic or cancer disorders, or a history of cancer, are advised to be cautious or avoid collagen supplements.
Collagen supplements are generally considered safe for most people, but women with certain medical conditions should be cautious or avoid collagen, especially in supplement form (pills, powders, liquids). Here are some specific cases.
1. Kidney disease (kidney failure, glomerulonephritis, kidney stones)
Collagen is a protein that, when digested, creates metabolic products such as urea and creatinine, which increase the burden on the kidneys. According to Dr. Jessica B. Cording, a nutritionist in New York, USA, consuming protein supplements, including collagen, can further damage the kidneys' filtering function, causing toxins to accumulate in the body. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2021 also showed that excessive protein supplementation from functional foods can increase the risk of progression to chronic kidney disease in people with previous kidney damage. Therefore, women with kidney disease need to be especially careful and consult a doctor before supplementing collagen.
2. Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure)
The liver is the main organ that processes protein. Collagen supplementation can put pressure on the liver, especially if the liver is already in a weakened state. Dr. Rachel Wong, a liver specialist at the University of Queensland Hospital, Australia, warns that supplementing collagen when the liver cannot process protein effectively can increase the risk of ammonia accumulation in the blood, leading to neurological disorders or worse, hepatic coma.
3. Metabolic disorders (gout, phenylketonuria...)
Collagen contains many amino acids such as glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, which can increase uric acid, causing gout flare-ups. People with congenital metabolic diseases are intolerant to some amino acids found in collagen. Dr. Sarah Jackson, an internist at Harvard Medical School, said that people with gout need to be careful with all sources of protein supplements, especially from functional foods with unknown dosages such as collagen. Acute gout attacks can be triggered by just a few days of improper use.
4. Allergy to animal protein (fish, beef, pork)
Many collagen products today contain animal protein, which can cause allergies or hypersensitivity reactions if the user is allergic to animal protein.
5. Blood clotting disorders or taking anticoagulants
Collagen can affect the formation of tissues and blood vessels, interacting with anticoagulants. Women with a history of blood clotting disorders or taking anticoagulants should consult a doctor before use.
6. Cancer or history of cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer patients should avoid using any functional foods without the approval of their treating physician, including collagen. This is to avoid interactions with treatment drugs or affecting the immune system's ability to respond. Although there is no clear evidence that collagen causes cancer, the addition of functional foods during treatment should be considered. Some doctors are concerned that collagen, especially that extracted from fish or animal skin, may contain hormones or heavy metals if not produced according to strict standards.
Recommendations when using collagen supplements:
- Always read the ingredients and origin of the product carefully.
- Consult your doctor if you have an underlying disease or are taking medication.
- Prioritize the use of hydrolyzed collagen (peptides) that are easily absorbed and cause less metabolic burden.
- Prioritize natural foods rich in collagen, such as bone broth, salmon, eggs, and soybeans... instead of abusing functional foods.
(According to India Express)