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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1051.html

Gelatin

What is it?

Gelatin is a protein made from animal collagen, usually from cows and pigs. It's commonly used to make capsules, cosmetics, ointments, and foods.

Collagen is one of the materials that make up cartilage, bone, and skin. Taking gelatin might increase the production of collagen in the body.

People use gelatin for aging skin, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, brittle nails, obesity, diarrhea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse gelatin with collagen type I (native), collagen type II (native), or collagen peptides. These are not the same.

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for GELATIN are as follows:

Possibly ineffective for...

  • Diarrhea. Taking gelatin tannate by mouth doesn't benefit infants and young children with diarrhea.
There is interest in using gelatin for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Is it safe?

When taken by mouth: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But taking high doses of 15 grams daily might increase the risk for side effects, including sore throat, swollen gums, and mouth sores.

Gelatin comes from animals. This has led to some concern about contamination from sick animals. But there haven't been any reports of people getting sick after using gelatin products made from animals.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe to use colla corii asini, a specific type of gelatin made from donkey hide, in larger amounts as medicine. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other kinds of gelatin are safe to use as medicine when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Breast-feeding: Gelatin is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if gelatin is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: A specific type of gelatin, called gelatin tannate, is possibly safe when taken by mouth as medicine for up to 5 days. In children under 3 years old or that weigh less than 15 kg (33 lbs), taking 250 mg of gelatin tannate four times daily for up to 5 days seems to be safe. In children over 3 years old or that weigh more than 15 kg, taking 500 mg of gelatin tannate four times daily for up to 5 days seems to be safe.

Are there interactions with medications?

It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.

Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Are there interactions with foods?

There are no known interactions with foods.

How is it typically used?

Gelatin is commonly used to make foods, cosmetics, and other products. As medicine, different forms of gelatin, including gelatin made from donkey hide and gelatin tannate, have been used. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

Other names

Colla Corii Asini, Denatured Collagen, Ejiao, Gelatina, Gelatine, Gélatine, Partially Hydrolyzed Collagen.

Methodology

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

References

  1. Coury JR, Skaggs KF, Marciano GF, et al. Intraoperative Anaphylaxis to the Bovine Flowable Gelatin Matrix: A Report of 2 Cases. JBJS Case Connect 2022;12. View abstract.
  2. Zeng L, Li X, Bai G, Liu Y, Lu Q. Rectal administration of Panax notoginseng and Colla Corii Asini suppositories in ulcerative colitis: clinical effect and influence on immune function. Am J Transl Res 2022;14:603-611. View abstract.
  3. Zhang L, Xu Z, Jiang T, et al. Efficacy and safety of ejiao (Asini Corii Colla) in women with blood deficient symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Pharmacol 2021;12:718154. View abstract.
  4. Li Q, Zhang L, Qian X, et al. Efficacy of Chinese herbal prescriptions containing Ejiao or Velvet antler for management of uterine fibroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Palliat Med 2021;10:8772-86. View abstract.
  5. Florez ID, Sierra JM, Niño-Serna LF. Gelatin tannate for acute diarrhoea and gastroenteritis in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Dis Child. 2020;105:141-6. View abstract.
  6. Lis DM, Baar K. Effects of Different Vitamin C-Enriched Collagen Derivatives on Collagen Synthesis. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019;29:526-531. View abstract.
  7. Li Y, He H, Yang L, Li X, Li D, Luo S. Therapeutic effect of Colla corii asini on improving anemia and hemoglobin compositions in pregnant women with thalassemia. Int J Hematol. 2016;104:559-565. View abstract.
  8. Ventura Spagnolo E, Calapai G, Minciullo PL, Mannucci C, Asmundo A, Gangemi S. Lethal anaphylactic reaction to intravenous gelatin in the course of surgery. Am J Ther. 2016;23:e1344-e1346. View abstract.
  9. de la Fuente Tornero E, Vega Castro A, de Sierra Hernández PÁ, et al. Kounis syndrome during anesthesia: Presentation of indolent systemic mastocytosis: A case report. A Case Rep. 2017;8:226-228. View abstract.
  10. Gelatin Manufacturers Institute of America. Gelatin Handbook. 2019. http://www.gelatin-gmia.com/uploads/1/1/8/4/118450438/gmia_gelatin_manual_2019.pdf. Accessed March 22, 2022.
  11. Su K, Wang C. Recent advances in the use of gelatin in biomedical research. Biotechnol Lett 2015;37:2139-45. View abstract.
  12. Djagny VB, Wang Z, Xu S. Gelatin: a valuable protein for food and pharmaceutical industries: review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2001;41:481-92. View abstract.
  13. Morganti, P and Fanrizi, G. Effects of gelatin-glycine on oxidative stress. Cosmetics and Toiletries (USA) 2000;115:47-56.
  14. Unknown author. Clinical trial finds Knox NutraJoint has benefits in mild osteoarthritis. 10-1-2000.
  15. Morganti P, Randazzo S Bruno C. Effect of gelatin/cystine diet on human hair growth. J Soc Cosmetic Chem (England) 1982;33:95-96.
  16. No authors listed. A randomized trial comparing the effect of prophylactic intravenous fresh frozen plasma, gelatin or glucose on early mortality and morbidity in preterm babies. The Northern Neonatal Nursing Initiative [NNNI] Trial Group. Eur J Pediatr. 1996;155:580-588. View abstract.
  17. Oesser S, Seifert J. Stimulation of type II collagen biosynthesis and secretion in bovine chondrocytes cultured with degraded collagen. Cell Tissue Res 2003;311:393-9.. View abstract.
  18. PDR Electronic Library. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2001.
  19. Sakaguchi M, Inouye S. Anaphylaxis to gelatin-containing rectal suppositories. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:1033-4. View abstract.
  20. Nakayama T, Aizawa C, Kuno-Sakai H. A clinical analysis of gelatin allergy and determination of its causal relationship to the previous administration of gelatin-containing acellular pertussis vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:321-5.
  21. Kelso JM. The gelatin story. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:200-2. View abstract.
  22. Kakimoto K, Kojima Y, Ishii K, et al. The suppressive effect of gelatin-conjugated superoxide dismutase on disease development and severity of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Clin Exp Immunol 1993;94:241-6. View abstract.
  23. Brown KE, Leong K, Huang CH, et al. Gelatin/chondroitin 6-sulfate microspheres for the delivery of therapeutic proteins to the joint. Arthritis Rheum 1998;41:2185-95. View abstract.
  24. Moskowitz RW. Role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease.Semin Arthritis Rheum 2000;30:87-99. View abstract.
  25. Schwick HG, Heide K. Immunochemistry and immunology of collagen and gelatin. Bibl Haematol 1969;33:111-25. View abstract.
  26. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  27. Lewis CJ. Letter to reiterate certain public health and safety concerns to firms manufacturing or importing dietary supplements that contain specific bovine tissues. FDA. Available at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dspltr05.html.
Last reviewed - 08/23/2023