You’ve been reading all about the health benefits of collagen. But, if you’ve ever had kidney stones, you know it is a good idea to make sure any supplement you take isn’t linked to kidney stones. Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about if it is ok to take collagen with kidney stones.
Let’s set the record straight on collagen and kidney stones!
Table of Contents
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein found in many body tissues. It is actually the most abundant protein in your body. It makes up most of your connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones and cartilage.
There are more than 20 types of collagen. But, type I collagen is the most common type of collagen in your body. This type of collagen gives your skin, bones, tendons and ligaments structure.
Where Can I Get Collagen?
Your body can get collagen from two sources: your diet and what your body makes.
Dietary Collagen
Collagen is only found in foods made from animal flesh. Here are some common foods with collagen:
- Beef, pork, poultry, game meats
- Fish & shellfish
- Bone broth
Collagen supplements have also become very popular the past few years.
It is important to remember that in order to digest any protein, including collagen from food or a supplement, it must be broken down into individual amino acids. So, taking collagen itself doesn’t guarantee that collagen will end up where you want it to be.
It might make more sense to be sure to eat enough of the nutrients your body needs to make collagen. Your body needs lots of nutrients to make collagen. Vitamin C, zinc and copper are especially important.
What Are Collagen Supplements?
There are many different kinds of collagen supplements available. Collagen products range from protein powders, pills and liquid form.
You can also find collagen peptide supplements. Collagen peptides are collagen that is broken down into the individual amino acids. Proline, glycine and hydroxyproline are the main amino acids in collagen.
Potential Health Benefits of Taking Collagen
The internet is full of articles touting the “benefits” of collagen. Some of the more common reported benefits of collagen are:
- Help wrinkles and smooth skin
- Boost skin elasticity
- Make finger and toenails stronger
- Ease joint pain
- Improve gut and heart health
- Keep bones healthy
There is a notable lack of research to support most collagen health claims.
Helping knee pain is one of the few benefits of collagen that is backed by quality (albeit limited) research. One study found reduced knee pain in athletes with knee pain after taking collagen for 12 weeks. (1) Another study found that acetaminophen PLUS collagen supplements helped improve knee pain compared to acetaminophen alone. (2)
It is commonly reported that collagen (and especially collagen peptides) are an “easy to digest” protein. Unless you have chronic diarrhea or other significant medical condition, there is no reason to think your body can’t digest protein normally. Even if you do, there isn’t research to show that protein in collagen supplements is easier to digest compared to protein found in food.
Link Between Protein & Kidney Stones
At the end of the day, collagen supplements are essentially a specialized protein supplement. We know that too much protein, especially from non-dairy animal sources, can cause kidney stones. (3) (4) (5) (6)
Eating too much protein can cause:
- Higher urine acid levels (6)
- Higher urine calcium levels (5)
- Higher urine oxalate levels (due to the liver making oxalate from amino acids) (7)
- Lower urine citrate levels (8)
All of these changes in urine chemistry can increase the risk of kidney stones.
Can Collagen Cause Kidney Stones?
There is no research specifically investigating collagen and kidney stones. However, as a registered dietitian and kidney stone specialist, I do think collagen can cause kidney stones. Especially if the collagen supplement is adding unnecessary, extra protein to your day.
Why exactly do I think collagen can cause kidney stones?
Collagen is Animal Protein
We know that eating too much protein, especially from animal sources, increases the risk of kidney stones. (3) (4) (5) (6) By definition, collagen is animal protein – collagen is only found in animal foods.
So, a collagen supplement is adding (likely unnecessary) animal protein to your daily intake.
One of the reasons too much animal protein can cause kidney stones is that your liver can make oxalate from amino acids. Specifically, the amino acids hydroxyproline and glycine are made into oxalate in your liver. (7) Collagen is made mostly of these two amino acids, along with proline. So, it is very possible collagen supplements could cause your liver to make much more oxalate, which would increase risk of kidney stones.
What About Vegan Collagen?
Collagen is protein found only in animals. Plants do not make collagen, so a natural vegan collagen supplement is not possible.
However, there are many “vegan collagen” products on the market. From my research, most of these products are simply a man-made mixture of compounds found in collagen. These products are often made from genetically engineered bacteria or yeast. (9)
Most People Are Eating Too Much Protein
This may come as a surprise. Despite the hype around protein, most people in the United States are eating about 30% more protein than they need. (10) For most of us, collagen supplements are just adding extra protein our body doesn’t need. In this case, collagen could definitely cause kidney stones.
Everyone has different protein needs. The amount of protein right for you depends on your body size, lifestyle, eating patterns and medical history. A registered dietitian is the best person to help you learn how much protein is right for you.
Can I Take Collagen with Kidney Stones?
Is it safe to take collagen with kidney stones? Answer: it depends.
Kidney stone prevention is NOT the same for everyone. If you have had kidney stones in the past, it is imperative you get a 24-hour urine test to understand why your kidney stone formed. Those results tell us exactly what YOU can do to prevent kidney stones.
If you make kidney stones because of high urine calcium, high urine oxalate or low urine pH, you should avoid collagen and other protein supplements. It is always best to get nutrition (including protein!) from food before supplements.
However, some people with kidney stones may be having a hard time eating enough protein. This is especially true if you are sick, older or have higher protein needs. If you can’t get enough protein from food, collagen or other protein supplement can help you get enough protein.
Happy Eating!
Melanie
Hello,
I currently have a 14mm stone in my left kidney. I’m on a wait list to have it removed, but it could take months as our medical system is terrible in Canada. I drink over three litres of water a day to keep the kidney flushed of oxilate, etc. I have “renal colic” almost daily now and have to take Tyleno/Advil and use a hot compress to help with discomfort. I’m aware Advil us not a good choice as it’s processed by the kidneys, however it works far better than Tylenol. I spoke with my urologist yesterday and she said unless I have an attack where I’m in extreme pain, vomiting or have a fever that I just have to live with this pain until my turn on the waitlist to have it surgically removed. Is there anything else I can be doing to help with this pain? I’m following a low oxalate diet, under 100 mg a day. I just want it gone.
Thank you and look forward to your reply.
Oh my goodness! What a terrible situation. I’m SO very sorry to hear that you have to wait so long with that pain. Unfortunately, there isn’t much nutrition can do to help dissolve or get rid of existing stones. But, we can absolutely do things to stop that stone from getting bigger (and from more forming). We really need a 24-hour urine test to know WHY you formed that stones – and therefore what we can do to prevent more from forming. I highly discourage strict low oxalate diets. I’d check out this article for a more wholistic and healthy way to go about preventing more stones. You can also work with us to figure out a personalized stone prevention plan for you!
I have recently had 2 kidney stones in the last 3 months. These have been my first ever stones. I have been taking collagen for years and it has really helped my knees. It is so frustrating, what can be a big help with one ailment, could possibly be contributing to worsening another ailment. What is your advice in balancing the decision to continue collagen intake?
I’d need to review your 24-hour urine test results to better understand WHY you are making stones to be able to give you a better assessment of the pros/cons of taking this supplement for you.
Would making a drink 2 x a day consisting of: 8 oz hot milk, 2 teaspoons coffee granules, 2 teaspoons cacao Hersury cocoa, 1 teaspoon collagen w/peptides, 1/4 teaspoon of monk fruit to sweeten be a recipe for kidney stones, gall bladder or liver problems?
This wouldn’t do anything to help any of those problems.
Could collagen supplementing possibly cause calcium phosphate stones? I used to make a “super drink” with collagen, cacao powder, and dandy blend as a substitute for coffee, and I have recently discovered that I have small kidney stones in both kidneys and I passed a 5mm calcium phosphate 70%\calcium oxalate 30%. Needless to say, I question everything now.
Possibly! That extra protein could increase urine calcium. We would have to look at your 24 hour urine test to know for sure!
thank you for the information you provide.
I had kidney stones a number of years ago but haven’t had any for a number of years. Is possible not to make stones anymore? I’m still seeing a kidney doctor but that is for stage 4b kidney disease.
Thank you and have a good day
Absolutely! There are ALWAYS things you can do to prevent stones. Ultimately, stone nutrition must be based on your urine test. Here is a link to get my roadmap to personalized nutrition!
Great article!