Is oral gelatin-protein skin care effective? The latest research from Harvard University says

I have a subscription to Harvard Health Publishing at Harvard University. Today I received an article with a publication date of 2023-4-12. Its title is Considering collagen drinks and supplements?, and the subtitle is Are collagen products worthwhile for skin, nails, and hair?,

The two authors of this article are Dr. Payal Patel and Maryanne Makredes Senna. Dr. Patel is a researcher in the Department of Dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Senna is a dermatologist at the Beth Israel Lahey Health Medical System and an assistant professor in the dermatology department at Harvard Medical School.

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Since the first article (the thoughts of gelatin) was published when the website was just established in 2016, I have published dozens of articles about gelatin, repeatedly saying that oral gelatin is decomposed into amino acids in the kidneys, so it is impossible to have any skin-protecting effects. However, until recently (about one or two months ago), readers would come to me and tell me that a certain nutritionist or expert had a certificate of "certainty" oral gelatin was effective.

Okay, then I will translate the key points of today's Harvard article as follows:

Collectogen drinks and supplements have caused a huge impact, and celebrities and influencers have praised its magical effects on skin, hair and nails. Since the gelatin in our bodies provides a critical support for these organizations, it seems reasonable to consume gelatin that may lead to dense hair and a young glow. But what does science say?

A paper published in the International Journal of Dermatology, reviewed and analyzed 19 studies on gelatin (a total of 1,125 participants). People who used gelatin supplements found improvements in skin tightness, softness and moisture content, and the pattern was not very obvious. This sounds promising, but it is not clear whether these skin improvements are really due to gelatin. Most of the trials use commercial supplements not only contain gelatin, but also contain other ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid and roitin sulfate.

Some random control trials (see here and here) showed that drinking gelatin supplements containing a large amount of prolylhydroxyproline and hydroxyprolylglycine can improve skin moisture, elasticity, anaconda and roughness. However, large-scale, high-quality research is needed to understand whether commercially available products are helpful and safe for long-term use.

There is almost no evidence to support the use of gelatin to improve hair and nails. A small study of 25 people with weak nails in 2017 found that taking 2.5 grams of gelatin daily for 24 weeks can improve fragility and nail growth. However, this small study did not compare the pacifier control group with the gelatin supplement control group.

No human studies have examined the benefits of supplementation protein for hair. Currently, there is no medical certificate that supports marketing that can improve hair growth, gloss, body size and thickness.

Should you try gelatin supplements or drinks?

Currently, there are no sufficient evidence to suggest that taking gelatin supplements or drinking gelatin drinks can have an impact on skin, hair or nails. Our bodies cannot absorb the complete form of gelatin. To enter the blood, it must be broken down into peptides so that it can be absorbed through the kidney tract.

These peptides may further break down into structures that form proteins, such as keratin that helps to form skin, hair, and nails. Or peptides may form gelatin proteins that accumulate in other parts of the body, such as soft bones, bones, muscles, or tendons. So far, no human studies have proven that the gelatin you take orally will eventually enter your skin, hair or nails.

Origin: Is gelatin worth it? Articles just published by Harvard

Responsible editor: Gu Zihuan