A pair of aged and wrinkled hands are seen close up.

Do collagen supplements really work?

Collagen production is vital for the health of hair, nails, bones, joints, and other parts of the body. But those popular supplements may not be worth the money.

With age, our bodies produce less collagen. As collagen levels decline the skin sags and becomes wrinkled. A variety of factors can accelerate that process including smoking, UV light exposure, and alcohol and high sugar consumption; all lower collagen production and make the protein weaker, leading to more wrinkles. Numerous companies are marketing collagen supplements with claims of health benefits such as improvements to skin elasticity and hydration. However, evidence is still lacking.
Photograph by GIANLUCA COLLA, Nat Geo Image Collection
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