One of the questions that keeps coming up in my Talk to Me Tuesday within our G-Fit Connect is “Does collagen powder replace protein powders such as whey or casein?”
While they are both sources of protein and collagen is amazing and has many benefits, it does not replace protein powder.
Let me explain…collagen vs. protein powder – which is better for you? What’s the difference?
🪄How does collagen powder compare to protein powder?
Think of it like this, collagen acts just like the wood framing holds your house together – it keeps our skin together, giving it firmness and elasticity. In the same way, protein is the powerhouse behind our muscles, building and maintaining their strength.
Both collagen and protein are essential to our longevity, especially for woman over 40- when we gradually start to lose muscle mass and strength.
🪄Collagen is a source of dietary protein but…
Dietary protein is the kind of protein that you consume to balance your blood sugar and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
💪While collagen is a dietary protein, it is NOT a complete protein source, which contains all 9 essential amino acids. Essential meaning we must get them from our diet. They help us build muscle and fuel metabolic functions. A complete-protein supplement is essential for those of us who are aiming to be sure to get in enough to support our health and goals.
💆🏻♀️Collagen does NOT contain all 9 essential amino acids. It lacks tryptophan, an essential amino acid that we cannot make. Collagen is higher in some amino acids (glycine, proline and hydroxyproline) that are required to properly build collagen, providing strength and structure to our body.
It’s true, collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. Collagen gives our bones, connective tissue, ligaments, tendons and skin structure its strength. As we age, it is imperative that we prioritize these nutrients to ensure that both our skin and body stay resilient.
So, collagen powder vs. protein powder, does one replace the other? Let’s take a look at the comparisons to see a quick visual of the difference.
How To Choose Collagen Powder
- Buy hydrolyzed collagen. Buy hydrolyzed collagen. Hydrolysis is the production used to break down the amino acids into smaller units. This makes them more digestible. Look for Collagen that has “collagen peptides” in the ingredient list to ensure it is the “highest hydrolyzed”.
- At least 8 grams of protein per serving. Simply add a scoop of collagen (typically around 10 grams) to your tea, coffee, protein shakes, yogurt and enjoy all the amazing benefits collagen has to offer your body, hair, skin, nails and so much more!
- Limited added ingredients. Collagen powder comes in many flavors. Like protein powders, there can be many additives to make the flavors fun. Read the label to ensure you are choosing a brand made only of collagen peptides which ensures the highest quality of collagen possible.
- Third-party certification. Collagen supplements are not regulated by the FDA. To ensure you are selecting the highest quality, look for the NSF Certified for Sport logo.
Simply put, collagen keeps our skin vibrant and youthful, while protein fuels our muscles, helping you stay strong and active.
╰⪼ My recommended and favorite Collagen Supplement
Try our G-Fit Gelatin Coffee Pumpkin Pie to get in more than your daily collagen dose!
❗Stay on top of rep replenishing your collagen, as it naturally decreases by ~ 1.0%-1.5% per year 🥹
Fun Facts
Eating too much sugar and refined carbs will reduce your collagen levels within your body!
How? Sugar attaches to proteins to form advanced glycation end products. These molecules damage nearby proteins and cause collagen to become weak, dry and brittle.
By age 40, you can lose up to 1% of your body’s collagen each year!
