Gelatin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Uses

What is gelatin?

Gelatin is a protein made from the skin and bones of animals, such as cattle or pork. The protein is a derivative of collagen.

Collagen itself is a type of protein that is found in skin, bones and muscles. Therefore, gelatin can be processed by boiling these parts. This gelatin extraction process is generally carried out to add flavor and nutrition to food.

These protein compounds are also available in supplement and drug form. In gelatin, there is about 98 to 99 percent protein.

What are the benefits of gelatin?

Due to its high protein content, this compound has various health benefits. Some of the benefits of gelatin include:

Improve joint and bone health

One of the benefits of this protein is that it helps maintain the health of your joints and bones.

One of the studies from Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry tested the effect of gelatin in 80 people with osteoarthritis.

As a result, people who took gelatin within 70 days had conditions that gradually improved, especially in the pain and stiffness of the joints they suffered.

Beneficial for skin and hair health

Several studies have shown that gelatin can increase moisture and collagen levels in the skin.

This is evidenced in a study at Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology . From the results of these studies, consumption of collagen from animal products moisturizes the skin as much as 28%.

Not only skin, gelatin is also believed to increase the thickness of your hair.

Improve brain function and mental health

This protein is rich in glycine, a type of amino acid. Glycine itself is often associated with brain health.

Adequate consumption of gelatin can improve brain function and memory.

In fact, a study from the journal Neural Plasticity has shown that taking gelatin in a certain dose helps reduce symptoms obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a mental health condition.

Helps you lose weight

Depending on the manufacturing process, gelatin can be a low-calorie food ingredient. In fact, this protein can be used for weight loss.

Apart from being low in calories, this one food ingredient also helps reduce appetite and provides a faster full effect. So that, you will not eat excessively and your weight can be controlled.

How to use gelatin?

Gelatin is an ingredient that can be used in various forms, both as an additive in food and as a supplement.

If you are taking gelatin in medicinal or supplement form, make sure you follow the medication rules that your doctor has given you. Gelatin dosage depends on several factors, such as age, health conditions, and other conditions.

It is not recommended to take drugs or supplements in excess of the recommended dosage, for less, or for longer than the recommended dosage. If you have further questions regarding the consumption of gelatin, you can consult a doctor.

How is this material stored?

Store the gelatin at room temperature, which is below 25 degrees Celsius. Keep away from sunshine and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom or refrigerator and freezer .

Carefully check the instructions on your product packaging because each product has a different storage method, or ask your doctor more about the correct storage method. Lastly, always keep medicines and supplements out of reach of small children and pets.

It is not recommended to throw medicines and supplements down the toilet or down the waterways, unless instructed in advance. Immediately discard this product if the drug has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or nearest waste disposal site for more information on how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment with gelatin.

What is the gelatin dosage for adults?

Intravenous Fluids

Increase plasma / body fluid volume during Hypovolemic Shock

For adults: By injection of 4% succinylated gelatin: The volume and level of the infusion depends on the patient's condition. The dose can be given in a very short time (500 ml every 5-10 minutes) if the patient loses a lot of blood, until the symptoms of hypovolemia gradually improve.

Topical

To heal wounds

For adults: Using a sterile compress sponge: Cut the sponge as needed, either dry or soaked in sterile NaCl solution, and apply pressure to the bleeding wound. A sponge can be attached to the wound area, if needed. Sponges can also be used with or without thrombin to speed up blood clotting.

What is the gelatin dosage for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage, form and size is this material available?

GELFOAM® PLUS is available as a ready-to-use medical device containing a sterile GELFOAM® sponge, Thrombin powder, Saline Solution (0.9% Sodium Chloride), and a sterile 10mL syringe equipped with a needle.

GELFILM Sterile Film and GELFILM Sterile Ophthalmic Film are 0.075 mm thick gelatin sheets, specially designed as absorbent implants for nerve, chest cavity and eye surgery.

Side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to gelatin?

Gelatin is a compound that is relatively safe for consumption as a food ingredient. In addition, the risk of side effects from consuming this compound is low, both in the form of food and supplements.

However, it is possible that these compounds can cause side effects in some people. Of course, the severity and symptoms of side effects that appear will vary from person to person.

These compounds can cause the following side effects:

• bad taste in mouth
• gas or flatulence
• heartburn
• excessive burping

Gelatin can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people. If you experience a severe (anaphylactic) allergic reaction to this compound, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:

• itchy rash
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

In addition, several issues arise regarding the safety of this compound due to its animal-based ingredients.

Some people worry that if the production process is not guaranteed, the product will be susceptible to contamination from infected animal tissue, including mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy).

Although this risk is relatively low, many medical professionals recommend against using animal-based supplements, such as gelatin.

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and Precautions

What should be known before using gelatin?

Even though the risk of using gelatin supplements is low, you still have to pay attention to several things before taking them.

The following are conditions you should consider when using this protein:

Certain drugs and diseases

Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently using, whether prescription, non-prescription, supplements, or herbal medicines. This is because several types of drugs may interact with gelatin.

In addition, it is also important to inform your doctor about any diseases or other health conditions that you are currently suffering from. It is possible that this drug can trigger interactions with certain diseases or health conditions.

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to gelatin or other animal products.

Is this material safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There have not been adequate studies regarding the risk in women who use these medicines during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Always consult your doctor to explore the medical benefits and risks before taking this drug.

Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with gelatin?

Drug interactions can affect your healing process or increase your risk of serious side effects. This article does not list all possible drug interactions.

Make a list of all the products you use (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and herbal medicines) and tell your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of your medicines without your doctor's approval.

Gelatin can cause blood pressure to be too low if used in combination with ACE inhibitors, a type of hypertension medication.

Can food or alcohol interact with gelatin?

There are several drugs that should not be consumed at meal times or near meal times, or should not be taken with certain types of food. This is because drug-food interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor, medical team, or pharmacist.

What health conditions can interact with this ingredient?

Some of the diseases you have can interfere with the use of these ingredients or supplements.

Before taking gelatin, tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Kidney failure
• Bleeding
• Chronic liver disease

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

Based on a study from Journal of Critical Care , gelatin has the potential to increase the risk of kidney failure, anaphylactic shock, and bleeding disorders.

However, the safety as well as the maximum daily dose of this compound still requires further research.

If there is an emergency or signs of an overdose, immediately contact the medical team, ambulance (118 or 119), or to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip it and continue as usual. Make sure you don't double your dose in one shot.