Want to try collagen, but worried about potential mercury

[Clues]

Hi all.

After reading this thread, I'm tempted to try collagen supplementation.

However, since I suspect mercury is part of my problem (due to exposure, and the fact that I've seen big improvements from chlorella supplementation), I'm a little bit worried about potential mercury or other heavy metal content.

The collagen I've seen on the market here in Norway is all from either cattle or wild North Atlantic cod.

Obviously all marine animals have a certain amount of mercury in them. Cod is normally quite safe as I understand it, but I'm concerned that I may have a higher-than-normal sensitivity to mercury. Also, I've no clue how much of the mercury the fish consumes ends up in the collagen.

On the other hand, the bovine collagen puts me off a little bit because there's no mention on any of the products I've seen about where animals are farmed, or how. And some countries have poorly regulated beef industries where stuff can go wrong.

Does anyone know of an organic collagen product, or a product that seems safe for whatever reason? Any insights appreciated.

[Iwillbeatthis]

Hi all.

After reading this thread, I'm tempted to try collagen supplementation.

However, since I suspect mercury is part of my problem (due to exposure, and the fact that I've seen big improvements from chlorella supplementation), I'm a little bit worried about potential mercury or other heavy metal content.

The collagen I've seen on the market here in Norway is all from either cattle or wild North Atlantic cod.

Obviously all marine animals have a certain amount of mercury in them. Cod is normally quite safe as I understand it, but I'm concerned that I may have a higher-than-normal sensitivity to mercury. Also, I've no clue how much of the mercury the fish consumes ends up in the collagen.

On the other hand, the bovine collagen puts me off a little bit because there's no mention on any of the products I've seen about where animals are farmed, or how. And some countries have poorly regulated beef industries where stuff can go wrong.

Does anyone know of an organic collagen product, or a product that seems safe for whatever reason? Any insights appreciated.

Organic isn't going to make a difference in heavy metal content, I saw a study before comparing a non organic bone broth to a organic grass fed one, the organic one actually had more heavy metals than the non organic one but even still both versions had high heavy metal contents. As heavy metals are stored in animals bones.

For hydrolysed collagen I also searched this before and I think most don't heavy metals as they go through a lot of processing. The best thing to do is to find a hydrolysed collagen product on amazon or somewhere that has a lab certificate saying it doesn't contain heavy metals.

[Clues]

Organic isn't going to make a difference in heavy metal content, I saw a study before comparing a non organic bone broth to a organic grass fed one, the organic one actually had more heavy metals than the non organic one but even still both versions had high heavy metal contents. As heavy metals are stored in animals bones.

Good to know, thanks.

For hydrolysed collagen I also searched this before and I think most don't heavy metals as they go through a lot of processing. The best thing to do is to find a hydrolysed collagen product on amazon or somewhere that has a lab certificate saying it doesn't contain heavy metals.

Good point. I emailed this Norwegian company and they provided such a certificate. I'm still a little bit dubious still as they say they use providers in different countries for the raw materials depending on supply. EU and South America. I think I'll take a chance on it, though.

[Iwillbeatthis]

Organic isn't going to make a difference in heavy metal content, I saw a study before comparing a non organic bone broth to a organic grass fed one, the organic one actually had more heavy metals than the non organic one but even still both versions had high heavy metal contents. As heavy metals are stored in animals bones.

Good to know, thanks.

For hydrolysed collagen I also searched this before and I think most don't heavy metals as they go through a lot of processing. The best thing to do is to find a hydrolysed collagen product on amazon or somewhere that has a lab certificate saying it doesn't contain heavy metals.

Good point. I emailed this Norwegian company and they provided such a certificate. I'm still a little bit dubious still as they say they use providers in different countries for the raw materials depending on supply. EU and South America. I think I'll take a chance on it, though.

Keep us posted on how it goes with you. I think I reacted badly to it because it caused excess glutamate in the brain, or possibly because of histamine.

[Clues]

Keep us posted on how it goes with you. I think I reacted badly to it because it caused excess glutamate in the brain, or possibly because of histamine.

Will do!

[Clues]

Quick update guys. I've started taking collagen daily. No adverse reaction so far. I've been feeling groggy today which might be down to the supplement as I've not been exposed to any other triggers the last few days. Too early to say for sure though.

Part of my symptom picture is various skin problems such as lesions, redness, itchiness, flakiness/dryness. After a few days on collagen, I think my skin generally looks and feels a bit better, but it could be placebo and/or natural variation. I'll post again once I've been taking it for a couple of weeks.