Can collagen upset your stomach?
Answer
Mild digestive discomfort is occasionally reported and collagen is generally well tolerated. Persistent stomach pain is a medical question rather than a supplement one.
Key takeaways
- Is it a recognised problem?
- Collagen is generally well tolerated. Mild fullness or discomfort is occasionally reported.
- What should be checked first?
- Whether the product is taken on an empty stomach, and whether anything else was started at the same time.
- When should a doctor be seen?
- Persistent stomach pain, or pain with other symptoms, is a GP question rather than a supplement one.
What is actually reported
Collagen is generally well tolerated. Where discomfort is reported it tends to be mild fullness or an upset stomach, and it is more likely on an empty stomach than with food.
Futuro Labs Marine Collagen is 1200mg of type 1 hydrolysed marine collagen with 12mg of vitamin C and 1.5mg of zinc per two capsule serving, at 28p a day. It is fish derived, so anyone with a fish allergy should not take it, and an allergic reaction is a different thing from digestive discomfort.
When it stops being a supplement question
Persistent stomach pain, pain that wakes you, pain with weight loss, vomiting, or blood, all need medical assessment rather than a change of supplement.
Gastritis is a clinical diagnosis with several causes, and self diagnosing it from a supplement page is not the right route. Anyone on prescribed medication should also raise a new supplement with a GP or pharmacist, which applies to everything on this site.
What else was started at the same time
The most useful question when any new symptom appears alongside a new supplement is what else changed. Players commonly start several things at once in January or in pre season, alongside a diet change and a training block, and then attribute a symptom to whichever product they remember buying. Changing one thing at a time is the only way to know, and for a persistent symptom the answer is a GP rather than a different tub.
The full version
- Futuro Labs Marine Collagen: the full labelWhat is actually in it, including the fish source and allergen position.
- How to check what a collagen supplement is actually made fromWhere the allergen information lives on a label.
The product
Futuro Labs Marine Collagen
Futuro Labs Marine Collagen is the 1200mg type 1 marine one with the vitamin C that carries the claim, at 28p a day, fish derived and UK made to GMP standards.
- 1200mg type 1 hydrolysed marine collagen
- 12mg vitamin C and 1.5mg zinc, both 15% NRV
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Fish derived. Collagen carries no claim
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Does collagen upset the stomach?
It is generally well tolerated. Mild discomfort is occasionally reported, more often on an empty stomach.
Should I take it with food?
It is usually more comfortable with a meal, and there is no claim attached to either.
When should I see a GP?
Persistent pain, pain that wakes you, or pain with weight loss, vomiting or blood.