Collagen is a sort of protein discovered all through your physique’s connective tissue, together with your bones, pores and skin, joints, and ligaments ( 1 ). It’s additionally present in a wide range of protein-rich meals, together with meat, fish, and poultry. Lastly, it’s extensively out there in complement kind and sometimes used to enhance pores and skin elasticity, relieve joint ache, and shield in opposition to bone loss ( 2 , 3 ). Nonetheless, many individuals are not sure whether or not collagen can hurt their kidney well being or improve their danger of kidney stones. This text appears to be like on the proof to find out whether or not collagen dietary supplements could cause kidney stones. Share on Pinterest Eugeniusz Dudzinski/Getty Photos
The underside line – Can Collagen Cause Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a sort of mineral deposit that kinds within the kidneys, inflicting signs like ache, nausea, and vomiting ( 4 ). Though a number of varieties of kidney stones exist, calcium oxalate kidney stones are the most typical ( 4 ). Oxalate is a compound discovered in lots of plant meals, together with some fruits, greens, nuts, and grains ( 5 ). While you eat oxalate-rich meals, the oxalate in them binds to calcium in your digestive tract and is excreted via your stool or urine. Nonetheless, massive quantities of oxalate passing via to your kidneys can result in the formation of kidney stones ( 5 ). Insufficient fluid or calcium consumption may additionally contribute to the event of kidney stones by rising oxalate absorption ( 5 ). abstract Calcium oxalate kidney stones are brought on when excessive quantities of oxalate construct up within the kidneys. Consuming extra fluids or calcium-rich meals might cut back the chance of kidney stones by reducing oxalate absorption.
Collagen accommodates hydroxyproline
Like different varieties of animal protein, collagen accommodates a sort of amino acid referred to as hydroxyproline ( 6 ). Hydroxyproline is transformed into oxalate in your physique, which can improve ranges of oxalate excretion in urine ( 7 ). In a single older research, consuming 30 grams of gelatin derived from collagen elevated urinary oxalate excretion by 43% after 24 hours in contrast with a management group ( 8 ). A number of animal research additionally present that consuming excessive quantities of hydroxyproline might improve oxalate ranges within the urine, and due to this fact, might hurt kidney well being ( 9 , 10 ). Different test-tube and animal research counsel that these results may very well be amplified in these with main hyperoxaluria, a genetic dysfunction that impacts oxalate metabolism and will increase the chance of recurrent kidney stones ( 11 , 12 , 13 ). Nonetheless, take into account that most of those research used concentrated quantities of hydroxyproline. Due to this fact, it’s unclear how the collagen present in meat or dietary supplements might have an effect on urinary oxalate excretion and kidney stone formation when consumed in regular quantities. abstract
Collagen accommodates hydroxyproline
, which can improve urinary oxalate excretion if consumed in excessive quantities.
Do you have to keep away from collagen?
? Basically, collagen dietary supplements aren’t really helpful for these at a excessive danger of creating kidney stones. That mentioned, consuming collagen sparsely as a part of a nutritious diet is unlikely to trigger kidney stones for most individuals. In truth, research present that decreasing your consumption of oxalates isn’t all the time needed to stop kidney stones. Most analysis means that rising your calcium consumption could also be a more practical strategy to cut back oxalate absorption and shield in opposition to the formation of kidney stones ( 14 , 15 ). Ideally, attempt to devour not less than 1,000–1,200 mg of calcium per day to cut back the chance of creating kidney stones ( 16 ). Guaranteeing that you simply’re ingesting sufficient fluid every day may additionally decrease your danger of creating kidney stones ( 17 ). Nonetheless, if you happen to’re vulnerable to creating kidney stones or have a situation like main hyperoxaluria, chances are you’ll wish to keep away from consuming excessive quantities of collagen from meals and dietary supplements. To keep away from adversarial well being results, it’s additionally a good suggestion to speak together with your healthcare supplier earlier than beginning to complement with collagen or making any dietary adjustments. abstract Though collagen dietary supplements are unlikely to trigger kidney stones for most individuals when utilized in moderation, these at a better danger of creating kidney stones might have to restrict their consumption.