Here’s what’s new in collagen products
Unless you’re living under a rock, you know that collagen is a hot topic right now. Has been for a while. But recently manufacturers are coming out with multiple variations in collagen products, and choosing what to buy can be downright confusing. We thought we’d offer a little help.
First the basics. Collagen is a protein with many benefits for our bodies. Studies have shown collagen can improve the health of skin, hair, nails, bone, joint pain, and maybe even help heal a leaky gut. Collagen generally comes in 3 types, though some products offer more. Most studies show that Type I and III are best for skin, hair, nails, and bone. Studies show Type II offers the best results for joint pain.
One other point: some products are labeled “hydrolyzed collagen” while others are tagged as “collagen peptides”. The terms mean the same thing: short chains of amino acids derived from collagen. All the products listed below fall into this category.
That said, let’s look at what manufacturers have been up to:
Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate – This is the grand-daddy of collagen products, being the first to come out with a grass-fed and pasture-raised powdered collagen supplement. The product is made of Type I and III collagen.
Garden of Life Grass-Fed Collagen – This company offers a multitude of products to choose from.
- Collagen Peptides – This is the basic model, an unflavored powder featuring Type I and III collagen along with 1.5 billion CFU of probiotics.
- Collagen Tumeric – An apple-cinnamon flavored powder, this features grass-fed Type I and III collagen, along with chicken-sourced Type II collagen, and 1.5 billion CFU of probiotics.
- Collagen with 15 mg CBD – This is the basic model, unflavored grass-fed Type I and III, along with the CBD and 500 million CFU of Bacillus subtilis (a soil organism probiotic).
- Collagen Creamer – Available in chocolate or vanilla, this yummy creamer offers 10 grams of collagen per serving along with 8.5 grams of MCT, and 500 million CFUs of Bacillus subtilis Great in coffee or tea!
- Collagen Coconut MCT – This comes in chocolate or vanilla and contains Type I and III grass-fed collagen, 3 grams per serving of MCT, and 500 million CFU of Bacillus subtilis.
- Collagen Protein – Since collagen is an incomplete protein, this is designed to add in amino acids missing from most collagen supplements (protein from hemp, sunflower pumpkin seed, and watermelon are added). It comes in chocolate and vanilla, and contains 2.3 grams per serving of MCT, and 500 million CFU Bacillus subtilis.
- Collagen Super Beauty – Blueberry-acai flavored, this product adds clinically studied ingredients for skin elasticity and resistance to aging. In addition to grass-fed collagen Type I and III, it contains Acai, French Cantaloupe Melon, astaxanthin, and 500 million CFU Bacillus subtilis.
- Collagen Greens Beauty – Apple-flavored, this collagen powder contains Type I and III and has an added greens blend, along with 500 million CFU of Bacillus subtilus.
Bluebonnet Grass-Fed Collagen – This unflavored powder contains Type I and III collagen.
Nature’s Plus Collagen – This unflavored power contains Types I, II, III, IV, V, and X collagen. It is sourced from grass-fed beef, sustainably caught fish, cage-free chicken, and eggshell membrane.
Zhou Collagen Peptides – Derived from grass-fed and pasture-raised beef, this powder is unflavored.
Bluebonnet Collagen Caplets – Derived from grass-fed beef, this product contains 1,000 mg or 1 gram of collagen peptides Type I and III.
Youth Theory Collagen Tablets – Each tablet contains 1,000 mg or 1 gram of hydrolyzed collagen and 10 mg of vitamin C.
Jarrow Formulas Type II Bioavailable Collagen Capsules – Each capsule contains 500 mg of BioCell Collagen (from chicken). (Remember Type II has the best studies showing relief of joint pain.)
