As the most plentiful protein in the human body, collagen serves multiple essential functions. Key among them are supporting the health of the connective tissue for strong tendons, ligaments, and bones and enhancing joint health and mobility.
In addition, collagen keeps the skin firm, elastic, and hydrated, helping to smooth wrinkles and lines and promote a youthful appearance. It also supports the muscles, promoting repair and speeding up post-workout recovery. As we age, collagen levels naturally decline in the body, which could lead to health issues like sore joints, weak muscles, inflammation, poor mobility, and signs of aging on the complexion.
Hydrolyzed chicken collagen supplements are all the rage in the market, promising to boost type II collagen levels and support the health of the joints, bones, muscles, and skin. They are available as powdered drinks, liquids, capsules, and gummies for easy intake. How effective are they, and is it worth it to add hydrolyzed chicken supplements to your daily routine?
In this article, we define hydrolyzed chicken collagen, discuss potential side effects, and examine the research support for its potential benefits to help you decide if daily supplementation is right for you.
What is Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen?
The body absorbs hydrolyzed collagen more easily than other forms, as it is broken down into tiny peptides through a process called hydrolysis [1]. This may occur through several means, the primary being either chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis.
With the process of chemical hydrolysis, agents such as acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, or hydrochloric acid are added in manufacturing to thermal treatment to break the bonds that hold collagen peptides together, dividing them into smaller components.
In enzymatic hydrolysis, enzymes like papain or pepsin are added in thermal processing to break bonds, which is considered more effective at producing smaller peptide fragments with a low molecular weight.
The antioxidant and anti-microbial benefits of the hydrolyzed collagen after processing are dependent on the method and type of chemical or enzyme used in processing. In addition, the final product varies based on the temperature used during the process, the duration, and the sourcing of the collagen.
Alternatives to chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis include thermal treatment alone or subjecting the collagen to intense pressure to disrupt bonds.
Sources of Chicken Collagen
You can derive collagen from multiple parts of the chicken, including the skin, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments. The bones are also rich in collagen and may be consumed in the form of a broth for rich benefits. In addition, chicken feet have high levels of type II collagen, as do some organs like the heart and liver.
Consuming chicken collagen from food may offer numerous health benefits, but supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen offers greater absorption properties for added support to the joints, bones, skin, and muscles.
Medical Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, Elizabeth Bradley, MD, explains:
“As you age, your body may no longer absorb nutrients as well or synthesize them as efficiently. To make sure your body has enough ingredients to make collagen, you may need to change what you eat or take dietary supplements [2].”
Other types of collagen include bovine from cow parts, porcine from pigs, and marine collagen from fish and seafood. Chicken collagen consists primarily of type II collagen, while bovine and porcine contain types I and III, and marine includes primarily type I. All types offer significant benefits to health and well-being.
Benefits of Chicken Collagen
Chicken collagen benefits several aspects of well-being with its rich type II content, including supporting and enhancing the health of the skin, joints, bones, and muscles. These are the primary advantages you may expect from regular supplementation:
Enhances Skin Health
Levels of collagen in the skin decline naturally with age, which can decrease firmness and lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Taking supplemental chicken collagen helps tighten the complexion, improve elasticity, and reduce the depth of wrinkles and fine lines.
Chicken collagen also boosts hydration, helping to moisturize, ease dryness, and plump the skin to further smooth the surface. It contains antioxidants that repair skin barrier damage, and anti-inflammatory agents that may help heal skin conditions.
An 8-week study of volunteers over the age of 50 published in Molecules by Aneta Prokopová, et al concluded that collagen hydrolysate improved skin hydration, enhanced elasticity, and decreased wrinkles and roughness [3].
A scientific analysis of chicken collagen hydrolysates published in Food Science and Human Wellness by Marina Offengenden, et al found that it decreased inflammation in human dermal fibroblasts, promoted high collagen synthesis, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced cellular proliferation [4].
Joint and Bone Health
Chicken collagen benefits the health of the bones and joints, as they are primarily composed of type II collagen. It is rich in chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate, which have research support for their potential in repairing and rebuilding damaged tissue and helping to relieve joint pain and inflammation.
An 8-week study of adults with joint discomfort published in Nutrients by Anaam Mohammed, et al found a significant reduction in joint pain and stiffness and improved function with regular supplementation of hydrolyzed chicken collagen type II [5].
Chicken collagen contains hyaluronic acid, a humectant that draws liquid to the synovial fluid between the joints to help ease stiffness and improve flexibility and mobility. In addition, it is rich in free-radical-destroying antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system, prevent joint flare-ups, and offer additional anti-arthritis benefits.
Bones are mainly composed of type II collagen, so supplementing with chicken collagen helps strengthen them. Rich in calcium and phosphorus, it helps enhance bone mineral density and support the overall health of the musculoskeletal system.
Support Your Joints: Boost Joint Health With Our Collagen!❯❯Muscle Mass Support
Chicken collagen is rich in amino acids that boost muscle protein synthesis, helping to preserve and build mass and strength. This is particularly significant in older adults, who may lose bulk and strength with age.
High in antioxidants, chicken collagen has agents that kill harmful free radicals to lower oxidative stress, repairing damage to muscle tissue and speeding up recovery. Powerful anti-inflammatory agents help decrease swelling and pain and promote healing.
Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen Supplements
Supplement Forms
If you’re interested in supplementing with chicken hydrolyzed collagen, meaning collagen broken down into small, easily absorbed components, there are several options to choose from for varying tastes and preferences, including:
- Powder - You can purchase hydrolyzed collagen powder if you prefer an easy-to-consume drink, or chicken bone broth powder for rich benefits without having to take capsules.
- Capsules - Hydrolyzed chicken is available in the form of capsules or tablets for daily intake if you want a faster solution than drinking a beverage.
- Gummies - For those who want an easy, tasty way to boost their daily intake of chicken collagen, try soft, chewable gummies.
- Liquid - There are liquid chicken collagen supplements that you can easily add to any beverage, as well as chicken bone broth liquid for such benefits.
- Combination Supplements - There are powder, liquid, gummy, and capsule supplements that combine chicken with other forms like bovine or marine collagen for added health benefits.
How to Choose the Right Chicken Collagen
With so many options on the market, how do you pick the best quality supplement brand? This is our mini-guide to choosing quality hydrolyzed chicken collagen products:
- Purchase from a well-known manufacturer with an excellent reputation for safe, quality products.
- Ensure that products are manufactured safely in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility and undergo rigid third-party testing for quality and purity.
- Choose supplements sourced from cage-free chickens raised naturally without hormones or antibiotics.
- Select products that use enzymatic rather than chemical hydrolysis for higher bioavailability and potentially greater benefits.
- Ensure that the supplement is 100% natural and has no toxic artificial or chemical additives.
- Ideally, select products that are NSF-certified to ensure safety.
- You can choose between pure collagen or supplements with additional nutrients and herbal ingredients, depending on your health goals.
Potential Side Effects of Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen
These supplements are very well-tolerated and do not have serious potential hydrolyzed collagen side effects at recommended dosages. Some users may experience mild symptoms like digestive upset, nausea, rash, dizziness, or headaches, but these are most common at high doses.
People with an allergy to chicken or eggs should not take these supplements, as they could lead to a reaction, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be cautious and check with a doctor.
It’s important to get a physician’s approval before taking chicken collagen to ensure medical suitability. If you experience unpleasant hydrolyzed collagen side effects, stop taking the supplement.
FAQs
What is Hydrolyzed Collagen?
Collagen that is hydrolyzed has gone through a process called hydrolysis using either chemicals or enzymes, breaking the bonds between peptides for smaller, more bioavailable components.
What Are the Health Benefits of Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen?
Hydrolyzed chicken collagen from food or supplements helps strengthen the bones, support joint health, ease pain, stiffness, and inflammation, repair muscle damage, and speed up recovery.
Does Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen Have Side Effects?
Hydrolyzed chicken collagen is safe and well-tolerated, although some users may experience mild issues from supplements like stomach upset or nausea. It is not suitable for people who are allergic to chicken or eggs and may lead to a reaction.
What Could Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen Do For My Skin?
Levels of collagen in the skin decline with age, but supplementing with chicken collagen may help tighten, improve elasticity, boost hydration, and smooth wrinkles and fine lines on the complexion.
What Are Good Sources of Chicken Collagen?
There are high levels of type II collagen in the skin, connective tissue, cartilage, feet, and bones of the chicken, as well as in organs like the heart and liver. In addition, supplements are available that can boost your daily levels for added health benefits.
How Do I Choose a Chicken Collagen Supplement?
It’s best to choose a product from a reputable manufacturer that is known for its excellent safety practices, quality sourcing, and third-party testing. There are multiple forms available, including powder, gummies, capsules, and liquids, based on your preference.
Final Thoughts
Whether it comes from food or supplements, chicken collagen benefits multiple aspects of health, especially in highly bioavailable hydrolyzed form.
Rich in type II collagen, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid, it helps strengthen bones, repair cartilage and muscle tissue damage, ease joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, and speed up muscle recovery.
Hydrolyzed chicken collagen also offers anti-aging and skin health benefits, helping to tighten, improve elasticity, hydrate, and smooth wrinkles and fine lines.
Try to incorporate chicken into your diet to reap the advantages, and consider taking a daily supplement for optimal benefits to health and well-being. Before you take a new product, it’s important to get medical approval from a healthcare provider.