How to take collagen shots? The complete dosage and intake guide

You can easily take a collagen shot: 1 shot of 25 ml per day, drink undiluted, at room temperature. No mixing, no mixer, no recipe. ACTIVATE contains 10g of hydrolyzed Peptan bovine collagen plus all cofactors in one shot. For the first 12 weeks, you take 1 shot daily, regardless of your age. After that, you switch to a maintenance schedule: every 2 days if under 50, daily from 50 years old.

The recommended dosage: how much collagen per day?

The effective dosage range from clinical research is between 2.5 g and 10 g per day:

• 2.5 to 5 g/day: minimum effective dose. Works for some people for skin, but the effect is marginal.
• 5 to 10 g/day: the golden mean. This is where most positive evidence lies.
• 10 g/day: the highest clinically substantiated dose for skin and joints. Going higher has no proven additional effect.

ACTIVATE delivers exactly 10g per shot, the highest proven effective dose in clinical studies. A lower dose gives less good results, higher is pointless.

Why 10g is the scientific standard

Most positive RCTs (Proksch 2014, Clark 2008, König 2018) used dosages between 5 and 10 grams. Below 5g per day, the effect often becomes not significantly distinguishable from placebo, especially for joints. 10g is the validated upper limit of the effective range.

When to take it during the day?

Three options, each defensible:

• Morning: practical (you won't forget), fits into your morning ritual. Many users take their shot immediately after waking up.
• Before sleep: during sleep, your body does a lot of recovery work. Theoretical logic to have collagen available then.
• Before or after exercise: for tendon and connective tissue recovery.

Research (Shaw et al., 2017) suggests that taking it 30 to 60 minutes before exercise is most effective for tendon and joint-specific effects. For skin and general goals, the timing hardly matters: consistency is more important than timing. More on this in when to take collagen shots.

How do you drink a collagen shot?

The ACTIVATE shot is made as simple as possible:

1. Grab a shot from the box.
2. Shake lightly.
3. Open and drink undiluted.
4. Done.

No water needed, no mixing. The shot tastes like pomegranate, contains no added sugars, and is delicious at room temperature. You can take it on the go, at work, or at home.

On an empty stomach or with a meal?

Both options are fine. Theoretically, collagen is absorbed slightly faster on an empty stomach, but in studies, the difference is minimal. If you have a sensitive stomach, take it with a meal to avoid any mild irritation.

How long to use?

The ACTIVATE protocol consists of two phases:

Phase 1: the first 12 weeks

1 shot daily, regardless of your age. The first results are visible after 8 to 12 weeks, as collagen needs time to act on fibroblasts and chondrocytes.

Phase 2: the maintenance schedule (from week 13)

• Under 50 years: 1 shot every 2 days.
• From 50 years: 1 shot daily. The accelerated collagen breakdown after menopause makes continuous supplementation more important.

What to combine a collagen shot with?

ACTIVATE already contains the cofactors in the same shot: silicon (Bloosil), vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin D3, and SOD. So you don't need to combine anything extra for optimal effect.

Possibly synergistic:

• Sufficient water intake (1.5 to 2 liters per day).
• Sufficient protein in the diet.
• For extra joint support: glucosamine or omega-3 (no interaction).

Step-by-step plan: how to take your shot

1. Step 1. Store your shots at room temperature, protected from heat and light.
2. Step 2. Grab one shot.
3. Step 3. Shake lightly to avoid any settling.
4. Step 4. Open and drink undiluted.
5. Step 5. Repeat daily for the first 12 weeks.

Written by the Labo Mariva team. Our formula is developed by a physician and nutritionist, and is produced in a certified European laboratory.

Disclaimer: this article is for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Do not use as a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of young children. Protect from heat and light.