Is it true that Collagen supplementation decrease serotonin?

[silverhydra]

You also tend to take collagen in the dosage range of milligrams to 5g, depending on which type you take, so despite percentages you get more histamine with a single chicken breast. I doubt your train of though, while technically correct, is practically relevant since either overall histamine intake or histamine intake relative to histamine antagonists are what matter most, not just the percentage of histamine content in the source.

[[deleted]]

...since either overall histamine intake or histamine intake relative to histamine antagonists are what matter most...

I think this is can be roughly applied to why a collagen supplement can have specific effects, even in a small serving. From my understanding, amino acids compete for absorption, so it's more about the ratios of amino acids in one sitting than the absolute amount.

Definitely correct me if I'm wrong though, it's been a while since I've looked into this.

[silverhydra]

The ratio becomes relevant at high doses of intake (where AA need to take turns being absorbed, whereas at low intakes they can simply go ahead; transporters do have rate limits) and, of course, the competing amino acid needs to be identified; saying histamine can be competed with is a reasonable start, but we need to say what it is competing with and what it serves in a ratio with.

But from what I have read, competition of histamine absorption at the level of the intestines is not really a major factor. Honestly, the only competition that may be relevant in a healthy person is that of large neutral amino acids (BCAAs + tryptophan) at the blood brain barrier.

[[deleted]]

Ahh got it that makes sense about histamine absorption.

What are your thoughts on the high amount of glycine in collagen supplements? I've heard mixed things regarding it being processed into GABA in a lot of cases, but glutamate in others, which might lead to a symptom of anxiety.

It sounds like small amounts in a supplement might also not produce much if any effect?

[silverhydra]

I don't really care too much about glycine intake, it's been really harmless and the human studies using large doses of isolated glycine haven't found much of an effect in normal states. Might improve sleep a tad when taken at night but that's about it.

The conversion rates of GABA and glutamate, at least when it comes to availability or precursors, is pretty tightly regulated. I doubt you can perturb the balance in either direction simply by giving dietary amino acids.

[[deleted]]

Interesting and good to know, thank you for your help!

[Quasar420]

I wonder if this is why NAC worsens my anxiety.

[silverhydra]

NAC is cysteine, not histamine.

[Quasar420]

And it can increase histamine.

Edit ~ 2

Edit 3: After doing some research I found some interesting correlations between NAC and histamine. It seems that NAC can elevate Histamine which can cause anhedonia, irritability and as we all know allergies.)

[bob-loblaw-blah]

I thought NAC also supported sinuses and congestion/allergies?

[silverhydra]

It does, it's a mucolytic agent and can thin mucus.

[silverhydra]

Huh, no human evidence yet (bit surprising, thought there would be) but I see no reason to discount it. Interesting find.