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Collagen for Men: Benefits, Best Types and How to Use

Evidence Based

iHerb has strict sourcing guidelines and draws from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, medical journals, and reputable media sites. This badge indicates that a list of studies, resources, and statistics can be found in the references section at the bottom of the page.

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Key Takeaways

  • Collagen is a structural protein in the body: It’s found in connective tissues like joints, skin, bones, and tendons.
  • Production declines with age: Natural collagen levels tend to decrease over time, which may contribute to visible and functional changes.
  • Some individuals may consider supplementation; collagen products are often used by those focused on aging, activity levels, or overall wellness.
  • Different forms are available, including hydrolyzed collagen powders, capsules, and bone broth–based products.
  • Consistency and diet both matter: Intake is often paired with nutrient-rich foods that support overall protein and nutrient needs.

Collagen has become one of the most popular supplements among women, especially those looking to improve the appearance of their skin and hair — but because collagen helps to repair and form connective tissues throughout the body, of course, it offers many benefits for men, too.

What are some ways in which collagen is good for men’s health? Whether you’re an active young man who’s looking to support exercise recovery and digestion, or an aging man who’s interested in supplements for joint health and mobility, collagen has something to offer you.

Let’s take a look below at how collagen protein supplements offer support for a man’s joints, skin, gut, heart, and more.

The Benefits of Collagen for Men

Collagen is a type of structural protein that’s found naturally throughout the body, since it helps to build connective tissues, including our joints, ligaments, tendons, skin, bones, and the lining of the gastrointestinal tracts and other organs.

By the time men and women reach their 40’s, they start producing less collagen as a natural byproduct of aging. Unfortunately, as collagen production slows down, an increase in common “signs of aging” can occur, such as changes in joint comfort and skin elasticity.

Taking a collagen powder supplement on a daily basis is a convenient and effective way to provide your body with the building blocks it needs to make its own collagen.

These “building blocks” are called amino acids, which form larger proteins. Collagen is especially rich in amino acids, including glycine, proline, and arginine, which offer widespread benefits for muscle recovery, heart health, joint health, skin and hair repair, sleep, and more.

Some Ways That Collagen Supplements Can Be Helpful for Men:

Supports joint health

Collagen is an essential component of joints and cartilage, as well as tendons and ligaments. It contributes to joint mobility and comfort and plays a pivotal role in how you recover from exercise, function, and move about. For example, with regular use, collagen can reduce temporary knee stiffness in as little as one week and decrease post-exercise discomfort.

Supports gut health

It helps form the lining of the gut, where it plays a part in helping to maintain gut integrity and support healthy nutrient absorption.

Supports heart and arterial health — Collagen naturally resides in your arteries and blood vessels, reinforcing arterial walls and helping to maintain their integrity and functioning.

Helps maintain healthy skin

This protein is a major building block of your skin, helping to maintain elasticity and its appearance. Supplementing with collagen can improve the appearance of crow’s feet after 28 days and skin tone after 8 weeks. Don’t forget that your skin also holds things in place, both inside and outside of your body.

Forms the lining of organs

 It helps form the fascia that encases your organs, including your gut lining, which contributes to overall health.

Promotes healthy hair

It encourages thickness and growth while reducing hair breakage.

Supports healthy sleep and cognitive sleep — Certain amino acids found in collagen, such as glycine, are linked with healthy sleep patterns and healthy mental function.

Best Types of Collagen to Use

It’s important to supplement with an absorbable form of collagen protein, since this is what allows the amino acids to actually go to work repairing connective tissues. The most bioavailable type of collagen powder is hydrolyzed collagen, which means it’s been broken down into smaller peptides that are generally easier for the body to digest and utilize.

Ancient Nutrition makes several forms of Multi Collagen Protein supplements, each with unique flavors and ingredients. Multi Collagen Protein is made with five types of collagen (types I, II, III, V, and X from 4 food-sources: chicken, bovine, fish, and eggshell membrane), plus it’s non-GMO and sourced from only grass-fed and pasture-raised, cage-free and cruelty-free sources.

To support absorption, Ancient Nutrition has taken things a step further using the power of fermentation, leading to the creation of a first-of-its-kind, hydrolyzed collagen formula featuring smaller peptides that are faster and easier for the body to digest.

Collagen powder is tasteless (unless intentionally flavored) and can be added to many different recipes and beverages — including water, coffee, smoothies, soups, and baked goods. Multi Collagen Protein comes in several flavors, including pure/unflavored, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry lemonade, and cucumber lime. One scoop contains just over 10 grams of collagen.

Bone Broth Protein supplements are another way to get collagen into your diet. Bone broth contains collagen and the same amino acids that help to support healthy joints. Ancient Nutrition makes a variety of flavors, including Bone Broth Protein Pure, vanilla, chocolate, and pumpkin spice.

How Much Collagen Should Men Take?

Collagen powder serving sizes will range from 1.5 grams to 10 grams per serving, depending on the form and type of product (for example, powder versus capsules). A general recommendation for adult men is to start by taking 1 or 2 servings per day, or about 10 to 20 grams of collagen, and then possibly work up to 3 daily servings.

You can take collagen any time during the day, but consistency is key for experiencing the best results, so try sticking with a regular regimen. It’s also important to support your body’s ability to make and retain collagen by eating a “collagen-boosting diet,” meaning one that includes nutrient-dense foods that are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential minerals like leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, wild-caught fish, pumpkin seeds, grass-fed meats, and fermented foods.

References:

  1. Varani J, Dame MK, Rittie L, Fligiel SE, Kang S, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ. Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. Am J Pathol. 2006 Jun;168(6):1861-8. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2006.051302. PMID: 16723701; PMCID: PMC1606623.
  2. Clark KL, Sebastianelli W, Flechsenhar KR, Aukermann DF, Meza F, Millard RL, Deitch JR, Sherbondy PS, Albert A. 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 May;24(5):1485-96. doi: 10.1185/030079908x291967. Epub 2008 Apr 15. PMID: 18416885.
  3. Chen, Q., et al. (2017). "Collagen peptides ameliorate intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in immunostimulatory Caco-2 cell monolayers via enhancing tight junctions." Food & Function.
  4. Tomosugi, N., et al. (2017). "Effect of Collagen Tripeptide on Atherosclerosis in Healthy Humans." Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis.
  5. Proksch, E., et al. (2014). "Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis." Skin Pharmacology and Physiology.
  6. Oesser, S. (2020). "The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides has a positive effect on hair thickness." Nutrafol / Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
  7. Yamadera, W., et al. (2007). "Glycine ingestion improves subjective sleep quality in human volunteers, correlating with polysomnographic changes." Sleep and Biological Rhythms.
  8. León-López, A., et al. (2019). "Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications." Molecules.
  9. Pullar, J. M., et al. (2017). "The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health." Nutrients.

DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.