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Collagen comes from the cartilage of animals including fish,
bovine (cow), chicken, etc. Cartilage, is type of connective tissue
that is composed of mucopolysaccharides, proteins, calcium, sulfur
and collagen. Collagen is found in most connective tissue in the
body including our bones, skin and the cartilage in our joints. The
most common form of collagen is gelatin. Study do indicate that
consuming gelatine can help to improve the health of your hair and
finger nails. Additionally, some forms of collagen (type II) may
offer some mild benefit for individuals suffering with rheumatoid
arthritis.
Dosage and
Administration
The most common form of collagen
supplment, bovine cartilage, is usually recommended at three grams 3
times a day. Shark cartilage is also a popular form of collagen
supplementation. Some professionals recommend shark cartilage
supplementation in much higher doses (e.g., 60 to 100 grams per day
orally or by enema). These amounts are not substantiated by
scientific study and their safety has not been confirmed either.
Please know that the amount of calcium in 60 to 100 grams of shark
cartilage exceeds the 2 to 2.5 grams per day that is commonly
considered to be the upper limit of safe intake.
Type II
collagen, when used for its effects on rheumatoid arthritis, is used
in very small amounts, from 0.02 mg to 10 mg per day. Gelatin and
collagen hydrolysate is usually recommended at 7 to 10 grams per
day.
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