There are a lot of myths about collagen out there. I have to say I fell into that as well but then I realized I have to change my point of view on collagen. It’s a very good but not full protein product. Let me start from the beginning.
Types of collagen
There are many types of collagen. Bovine collagen, marine one, chicken, porcine, etc. We need hydrolyzed collagen peptides for good absorption. If collagen is not hydrolyzed we can’t absorb it or, at least, not a lot. Peptides are a chain of amino acids in this case make a collagen cartridge in our joints, nicely looking skin, hair, etc. We can target our needs by choosing what type of those collagen peptides we ingest. For example type I. and II. (for skin and hair) are mostly from chicken. Type III. and X. (for joints and bones) are mostly from bovine, etc. I was targeting my joints and bones so I used those types of collagen peptides but when I changed them because there were not available that time or I wanted a change (it’s good for the body to change the type of nutrition from time to time), I didn’t feel the difference. How is that possible? I was digging deeper and I found an answer that really changed my mind about that product.
Quality
There is nothing about what kind of type of collagen I take but what kind of QUALITY I get. I know, peptides are supposed to be specific for one or another and nothing more or less. Obviously, they are specific for each targeted area. Our body distributes them where they are required the most, or, it distributes them everywhere if we have enough of them. Peptides can’t be used in some different areas except areas they are addressed for. But, are they really there? Are there really those peptides that are mentioned on the package? That is about the quality that I mentioned. Also because of bad quality collagen contains a lot of heavy metals, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and other chemicals that you can imagine.
Organic
Do we then need to buy just an organic one? I tell you that is not possible, even when there is written organic, to be sure it is really organic. Nobody can assure me that this or that collagen is made just from organic bones, skins, ligaments, joints, etc. There are tons of bones boiling in the huge cooker and nobody can be certain every single bone is organic. The same with fish skins. How can be one sure every single fish in a huge net is free from heavy metals? I tell you what. I do a kind of collagen, a more special one, Peptan II, hydrolyzed matrix of type II for joints and I also boil the heck out of bovine bones whenever I can get my hands on the good quality bones. It’s bone broth.
Peptan
The better choice than peptides is PEPTAN. It is bioactive collagen peptides that have been specifically developed to deliver multiple health benefits and functional properties.
Collagen for vegetarians
I don’t think a meatless lifestyle is healthy, but note, it’s just my opinion and I don’t wanna offend anybody by this. Many vegetarians (not all of them) do also fish. That’s very helpful and makes a little bit easier advice for them. Marine collagen is one of the best quality collagen. It’s made from skin and bones mostly wild-caught fish. Just out of record wild-caught fish have the best omeg3-omega6 ratio, not like farm-raised. Of course, we can’t be sure all of those fish are wild-caught. If they will do a little higher amount of collagen daily they’re fine.
Collagen for vegans
And here we are with vegans with a lot more difficult answers. I heard about plant-based collagen but they can’t be serious with that, right? First I feel I have to explain what Collagen is.
Collagen
is a triple helix, usually, of Glycine-Proline-X or Glycine-X-Hydroxyproline (can be also with Hydroxylyxine or Lysine). That means collagen is made from 3 essential amino acids. Essential means our body can’t make it and they need to be ingested. X means any other amino acid to combination other than Glycine, Proline (Lysine). Depends on the combination of those amino acids define what type of collagen is made. There are 21 types of collagen (I’m not a doctor so correct me if I’m wrong).
Advice for vegans
Here is my advice for vegans. Take those amino acids, combine them depending on your desired type in water, and drink them with other substances that help absorption and the overall effect that I mentioned before. Collagen is an incomplete protein and that’s why can’t be a substitute for full-protein intake but don’t expect if u eat full protein u gonna get collagen or, at least, full needs satisfaction. When u take full amino acids to profile protein body is gonna use it to build another protein that is needed and just when something is left will be used for collagen. Pretty discouraging, right? Another piece of advice from my side is, to take just that blend of amino acids that can be combined with collagen by the body and no other amino at that time. The best absorption is first thing in the morning and then wait for, at least, one hour with your first meal to force your body to make nothing else but your desired type of Collagen.
I really hope I helped you to improve Collagen intake for the best effect and if u think I didn’t mention anything or you have some questions, just make a comment and I will definitely answer as soon as possible. See you next time.
