Pregnancy and breastfeeding bring many changes to a woman’s body. While you might enjoy glowing skin and stronger nails, challenges like hair loss and stretch marks are very common. Collagen, a popular beauty supplement, may help with these issues. But is it safe to take collagen during this time? Let’s dive in and find out!
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Is it safe to take collagen while pregnant?
The short answer is yes. After all, you’re not introducing a foreign substance when you take collagen supplements. Collagen is a natural protein in the body, providing structure to our skin, hair, nails, bones, and joints.1
There are also no studies directly linking collagen supplements to any pregnancy complications. However, this is mainly because collagen-specific studies on pregnant women are scarce.
That said, there is a 2016 study that supports the use of collagen during pregnancy. Women aged 19-43 took collagen for 14 weeks, spanning from the third trimester until the 10th week post-delivery. Compared to a control group, those taking collagen showed significant increases in protein levels and better overall health outcomes, with the supplement being safe and well-tolerated.2
So, how can collagen help with pregnancy?
A number of studies highlight how important collagen is for the natural changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy and childbirth.
One study examined how collagen changes in the cervix during early pregnancy, right after delivery, and a few days postpartum. They found that collagen production and breakdown both increase, especially right after childbirth. The structure and solubility of collagen also change, which helps the cervix stretch during labor and return to normal afterward.3
Another study found that the fetal membranes that prematurely rupture before labor have less collagen and more damage markers, and these factors might be influenced by vitamin C levels.4 In line with this study, we highly recommend taking Collagen Peptides with vitamin C. Doing so may help strengthen fetal membranes and support a healthy pregnancy.
Other studies have shown that collagen’s health benefits include supporting bone and joint health. Carrying a baby to term, then lifting and carrying them for a few more years postpartum can be hard on the joints. Collagen can help keep them in good shape and reduce discomfort. 5
Is collagen safe for breastfeeding moms?
As mentioned earlier, Baginksi et al.’s 2016 study showed that collagen supplementation is safe for breastfeeding moms. No harmful effects were noted during their research. 6
How does collagen help breastfeeding moms?
One problem that many women face postpartum is hair loss; this typically occurs about four months after giving birth. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), this is due to falling estrogen levels.7 Fortunately, this is temporary, and hair will normally grow back within a year.
So, what does collagen do for hair? Hair is primarily made of keratin, a tough protein that forms hair and nails. The main component of keratin is the amino acid proline, which is abundant in our Collagen Peptides. Supplementing with collagen can provide the necessary amino acids to support hair growth and strength.8
Another common concern for women post-pregnancy is stretch marks. There is evidence that collagen may help improve skin elasticity and hydration, which may reduce the appearance of stretch marks. 9 This is a great help for women recovering from the physical changes of pregnancy and childbirth!
Which type of collagen is better for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
When choosing collagen, you’ll encounter two main types: ordinary (or native) collagen and collagen peptides.
Collagen peptides are far superior to ordinary collagen, which is usually derived from gelatin. Collagen peptides are smaller, hydrolyzed pieces that offer higher bioavailability, making them more effective for supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In terms of convenience and versatility, collagen peptides also win hands down. They dissolve easily in both hot and cold liquids, unlike ordinary collagen, which requires heat to dissolve.
While Collagen Peptides may be more expensive than ordinary collagen, their benefits in terms of absorption, convenience, and effectiveness make them worth the investment.
How to add collagen to your diet?
Taking collagen doesn’t have to be a chore. Our Collagen Peptides is unflavored, so you can easily add a scoop to your morning coffee, smoothie, soups, and stews. Additionally, you can add it to your pancake or muffin batter for an extra dose of protein.
Check out this infographic for more ways to enjoy your collagen:
Want to make your collagen from scratch? You can follow our simple bone broth collagen recipe here!
Final thoughts
Taking our Collagen Peptides daily may help you feel better during these special times. It’s generally safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding, but always check with your doctor first. Collagen may help your body adjust to the growing life inside you and also make the postpartum period a bit easier. Enjoy the journey!
References:
- Shoulders, Matthew D., and Ronald T. Raines. “Collagen Structure and Stability.” Annual Review of Biochemistry, vol. 78, no. 1, June 2009, pp. 929–958, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.biochem.77.032207.120833. ↩︎
- Baginski, Leon, et al. “Response to Hydrolysed Collagen Protein Supplementation in a Cohort of Pregnant and Postpartum Women.” Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health, vol. 3, no. 5, 2016, https://doi.org/10.4172/2376-127x.1000275. ↩︎
- Yamamoto, S., et al. “[Collagen Metabolism in the Human Cervix during Pregnancy, Delivery and Puerperium (Author’s Transl)].” Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi, vol. 32, no. 7, 1 July 1980, pp. 909–918, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6264004/. ↩︎
- Stuart, Emma L., et al. “Reduced Collagen and Ascorbic Acid Concentrations and Increased Proteolytic Susceptibility with Prelabor Fetal Membrane Rupture in Women1.” Biology of Reproduction, vol. 72, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2005, pp. 230–235, https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.104.033381. ↩︎
- Viguet-Carrin, S., et al. “The Role of Collagen in Bone Strength.” Osteoporosis International, vol. 17, no. 3, 9 Dec. 2005, pp. 319–336, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-2035-9. ↩︎
- Baginski, Leon, et al. “Response to Hydrolysed Collagen Protein Supplementation in a Cohort of Pregnant and Postpartum Women.” Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health, vol. 3, no. 5, 2016, https://doi.org/10.4172/2376-127x.1000275. ↩︎
- “Hair Loss in New Moms.” Www.aad.org, www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/new-moms. ↩︎
- Yang, Fei-Chi, et al. “The Structure of People’s Hair.” PeerJ, vol. 2, 14 Oct. 2014, p. e619, https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.619. ↩︎
- Choi, Franchesca D., et al. “Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: JDD, vol. 18, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2019, pp. 9–16, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681787/. ↩︎
