Collagen peptides have taken the beauty industry by storm, igniting a fervor due to their remarkable impact on enhancing skin elasticity. Not only are health and wellness enthusiasts captivated by their potential to aid workout recovery and support joint health, but the question remains: Does all this hype hold any truth? As it turns out, the answer is a resounding yes!
Collagen makes up around 30% of all the proteins in our bodies, making it the most abundant protein we have. It acts as a “glue” for our tissues and tendons, and you can find it in almost every part of your body, from your bones to your gut and even your brain.
However, the aging process naturally slows down collagen production. This can leave you with saggy skin, stiff joints, and more unpleasant side effects. But fortunately, there are plenty of food sources rich in collagen peptides you can use to aid your body’s natural production. There are also plenty of ready-made collagen powder supplements on the market, like Great Lakes Gelatin’s amazing collagen hydrolysate powder.
Here’s how collagen peptides can benefit your health, inside and out, along with my favorite natural sources out there!
Slows Signs of Aging
The most famous use of collagen is for skincare and anti-aging purposes, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fibrous supplement that helps add elasticity to the skin. Studies have demonstrated that taking a collagen supplement can show signs of promoting smooth skin within four weeks and aid wrinkles in as little as eight weeks. That’s why collagen is a must-have supplement for anyone looking to maintain their youthful skin.
Healthier Hair and Nails
Collagen is packed full of amino acids that your body uses to produce keratin, the fibrous protein that forms the basis of your hair and nails. That’s a game-changer for anyone struggling with slow hair or nail growth. It can help your body's natural ability to grow longer and shinier locks and strengthen brittle nails. No wonder beauty gurus can’t get enough of it!
Joint Health
As we age, collagen may help support healthy joints and cartilage function. That’s because the production of joint-lubricating collagen decreases over time. We depend on it to keep our joints, ligaments, and tendons agile. Taking a collagen supplement is a great way to support stiff joints and can encourage flexibility by supporting healthy cartilage function.
Better Workout Recovery
Since Collagen helps lubricate your joints, it can help you recover from a hard workout more quickly!
The high amino acids in collagen provide your body with what your muscles use to repair themselves more quickly. Awesome news for anyone who’s always on the move!
Collagen is a Natural Protein Source
If you’re tired of wading through the sea of artificial protein supplements to boost your workouts, collagen might be the solution you’re looking for.
Because it’s a naturally occurring protein, grass-fed collagen is an excellent alternative to artificial protein powders and shakes. Unlike the highly processed ingredients found in many protein supplements, collagen is clean and non-GMO. It’s kosher, gluten-free, and compatible with all kinds of dietary restrictions, including keto and paleo diets.
Sources of Collagen
So now that you know all the amazing benefits of collagen, you’re probably wondering how to get it into your life. While it’s true that collagen production decreases with age, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to up your collagen intake naturally.
My favorite way to get more collagen is with Great Lakes Gelatin’s line of collagen powders. But if you’re looking for a way to obtain more collagen through your diet, there are plenty of foods you can try to boost your body’s manual production. Let’s go over them one by one!
Meat Proteins
High protein foods are naturally rich in collagen. Meat sources like chicken and beef are excellent ways to obtain more gut-strengthening collagen. The proteins will help build your strength and muscle. Plus the healthy saturated fats can promote weight-loss and heart health.
Fish and Seafood
You can also get your animal-based collagen peptides from the sea! Fish and shellfish contain essential proteins and amino acids just like land animals, and marine-based collagen sources are easy to digest.
Dairy and Eggs
Although they don’t contain collagen directly, egg whites are high in amino acids that promote collagen production. The same goes for dairy products like milk and yogurt. They’re high in the amino acids lysine and proline, which can transform your body into a collagen-producing machine.
Vegetables and fruits
Eating foods rich in Vitamin-C and certain amino acids can help encourage the production of collagen, too. Stock up on bell peppers, citrus fruits, broccoli, kale, and kiwis to get a hearty dose of Vitamin-C. You can also stimulate your collagen production through plant-based foods like legumes, cauliflower, mushrooms, cabbage, and wheat germ.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in both freshwater and saltwater. It’s one of the oldest superfoods on the planet. Humans have been using it to boost their health since the days of the Aztec empire and for good reason.
Not only is it one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, but it’s also high in glycine and proline, two of the most important amino acids needed for collagen production.
Bone Broth
It’s not just meat that’s high in collagen. Like human bones, animal bones are naturally high in collagen peptides, which makes them one of the best sources of collagen out there. Plus bone broth is insanely tasty, too!
Bone broth is one of the easiest things in the world to DIY. All you have to do is boil down your leftover chicken or beef bones. Check out my detailed instructions on how to make your own in an instant pot here. You can sip it directly for a midday pick-me-up or use it as a base for soups and stews.
Collagen Supplements
While there are tons of ways to obtain more collagen through food, the most efficient way to get it is by supplementing it directly. There are plenty of supplements out there on the market, but my favorite is Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate powder.
What makes it so special? It’s made directly from grass-fed, pasteurized bovine hides, so it’s a clean and pure source of hydrolyzed collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen is easier to digest than gelatin, and it’s naturally tasteless and flavorless. You can get Great Lakes Collagen powder in a plain version or in all kinds of flavors like vanilla, lemon-lime and chai!
How I Use Great Lake’s Collagen Powder
I use both Great Lake’s Gelatin-flavored and unflavored collagen powders. I mix the flavored powders into the water and sip them throughout the day. Not only is it a great way to supplement your collagen intake, but it’s also an amazing alternative to soda and artificial flavor waters and they are great for post-workout drinks as well!
The unflavored powder is my go-to for adding to food and flavored drinks. Because it’s tasteless, you can add it to just about any recipe you want whenever you need a revitalizing boost! Try adding a scoop or two to your favorite baked goods, stirring it into your soup, or using it to kick your day off with my Superboost Morning Coffee. Collagen and gut health go hand in hand so my new Gut Healing Hot Cocoa is an amazing guilt-free treat you can use to get your daily collagen fix!
I love how it doesn’t clump up or turn gelatinous like other collagen supplements I’ve tried. It’s easy on your gut, and your taste buds won’t even notice it’s there. The rest of your body definitely will, however, once your skin starts glowing and your joints loosen up!
Benefits I've Noticed
I’ve been putting two scoops of Great Lakes Gelatin’s unflavored collagen in my Superboost Morning Coffee every morning for a while now, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my skin. It’s softer and firmer. I can feel the added flexibility when I work out, too. Thanks to the collagen powder benefits, I can go way longer without worrying about getting sore afterward.
I also enjoy using the flavored powders after my workouts to give my muscles a boost. It’s a great way to refuel without sacrificing taste or filling up on empty calories.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s no shortage of natural ways to add collagen to your diet. While collagen has been regaled as a beauty secret for slowing signs of aging, it’s beneficial to almost every part of your body. Whether you’re young or old, just about everyone can benefit from having more collagen in their lives.
What are you waiting for? Head over to Great Lakes Gelatin’s website and pick out your favorite way to use collagen today!
Written by: @thetrailtohealth
Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Nor is it intended to replace the advice or diagnosis of a medical professional. Individual results may vary.
