Can You Take Collagen With Multivitamins?
Scarlett Gray
BNutrDiet (Hons), APD, SDA
Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia (APD200526). Accredited Sports Dietitian and Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinician. First Class Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle.
Can you take multivitamins and collagen together? This is a question we hear all the time. The short answer is yes — and for most people, taking both together is a sensible approach to comprehensive nutritional support.
Are there multivitamins with collagen — and are they any good?
Many multivitamins now include collagen as an ingredient. The appeal is obvious — one product, one dose, everything covered. But there is a consistent problem with these products: the collagen dose is almost always too low to reflect what's been used in clinical research.
Most published trials on collagen supplementation use doses of 5,000 to 10,000mg of hydrolysed collagen peptides per day. Multivitamins that include collagen typically contain 1,000mg or less per serving. At that dose, the evidence does not support meaningful structural benefits. You are effectively paying for collagen label presence rather than collagen efficacy.
The better approach for most people is to take a dedicated, full-dose collagen supplement alongside a separate multivitamin — getting the best of both rather than a compromised version of each.
What are the most important nutrients in a multivitamin?
- Vitamin D: contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the maintenance of normal bones. Deficiency is common in the UK during winter months, which is why Public Health England advises considering a 10µg daily supplement from October to March
- Magnesium: a recent review notes that "magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 enzymatic reactions related to energy production, muscle contraction, and nerve function." While severe magnesium deficiency is rare in the UK, many adults still do not meet the recommended daily intake, with shortfalls most common in younger adults
- Calcium: essential for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, particularly important for post-menopausal women, where bone density loss accelerates
- Zinc: contributes to normal immune function, normal collagen formation for skin and connective tissue, and the maintenance of normal hair, nails and skin
- Vitamin B12: contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal function of the nervous system, and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Particularly important for vegans and vegetarians, who may not get adequate B12 from food
- Iron: contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body and normal energy-yielding metabolism. Deficiency can be more common in women of reproductive age — but iron should only be supplemented when a deficiency has been confirmed
- Folate: contributes to normal blood formation, normal homocysteine metabolism, and (importantly for women trying to conceive) normal maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
Where does collagen fit in?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up roughly a third of total protein. It provides the structural framework for skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones and connective tissue throughout the body. From the mid-twenties onwards, the body's own collagen production gradually declines, and this contributes to changes in skin elasticity, joint comfort and bone density over time.
Supplementing with hydrolysed collagen peptides at a clinically studied dose provides amino acids the body can use to support its own collagen production. Research in this area continues to develop, and the strongest evidence currently sits around skin and joint outcomes.
You can read the full evidence in our complete guide to liquid marine collagen.
Can you take collagen and multivitamins at the same time?
Yes. There is no evidence of negative interactions between hydrolysed collagen peptides and the standard ingredients found in a multivitamin. In fact, some of the nutrients commonly found in multivitamins may actively support collagen production. Vitamin C is the most well-established — it acts as a co-factor in the body's collagen synthesis pathway and is included in every Kollo sachet. Zinc also contributes to normal collagen formation for skin and connective tissue.
The practical approach is simple. Take your collagen supplement daily at a consistent time. Take your multivitamin separately, ideally with food. The two are entirely compatible.
What about collagen supplements that already contain vitamins?
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen delivers 10,000mg of Naticol® marine collagen peptides in every daily sachet, alongside vitamin C and a B vitamin complex including B1, B5, B6 and B12, plus the amino acid l-lysine. This covers the collagen dose and a focused set of supporting nutrients in one daily sachet.
However, Kollo is not a complete multivitamin. It is a premium collagen supplement with targeted nutritional support. If you want broader vitamin and mineral coverage alongside your collagen, a separate multivitamin remains the best approach.
Finding the right multivitamin to take alongside Kollo
When choosing a multivitamin to complement your collagen supplement, look for one that covers the nutrients most commonly under-consumed — vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, B12 and folate are reasonable starting points. Consider your individual needs too. Active individuals may want higher B vitamins. Women over 40 may want a formula that prioritises vitamin D and calcium for bone health support.
For women navigating perimenopause or menopause, our complete guide to Kollo Balance+ covers a dedicated menopause formula. And for a complete picture of building a daily supplement routine, read our guide to the best supplements for women over 40.
If you still have questions about Kollo or how to build your supplement routine, our team can be reached through the Contact page.
