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Collagen is an extremely versatile supplement because it's an extremely versatile protein! Our bodies naturally produce collagen protein to serve as a strong yet flexible "scaffold" for our connective tissues. In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and can be found in the hair, skin, muscles, eyes, joints, ligaments, blood vessels, and more. Collagen is extremely important, if only we could hold onto it longer. As we age, our collagen production slows down and contributes to many signs of aging such as hair loss, cellulite, wrinkles and fine lines, joint pain, and even digestive issues, such as leaky gut syndrome. This is where collagen supplementation comes into play.
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Hydrolyzed collagen powder is a highly digestible and effective form of collagen that's derived from the hides of animals and fish. High-quality, collagen supplements can:
The last point here is important! Many people, women especially, have the misconception that taking collagen or another protein supplement is strictly for "bulking up".
It's true, collagen is NOT a weight loss product; it's not a magic supplement that will melt fat away just by adding it to your morning coffee. But it's not a weight gain product either. Women are often told the lie that adding a protein powder to their post-workout smoothie will make them gain weight, but it's simply not true. Here's why.
Protein powders like whey and collagen are made of amino acids that are needed to produce new lean muscle mass and repair muscle tissue after an injury or workout. They can be taken to help grow lean muscle during a workout or to protect muscles from degrading as you age. Whereas many women want to avoid "bulking up", they do want to "tone" muscles as part of their lean workout. The silly thing is that these are virtually the same processes, they are just marketed differently. Collagen supplements can be taken to help you power through your workout, speed up necessary recovery, and develop leanmuscles, which burn fat and calories faster than weak muscles. Since muscle weighs more than fat, it is possible that you will first see the number on the scale going up, but ultimately collagen products can help you achieve your weight loss goals by improving your performance and helping you to recover.
With that said, you need to know what's in your collagen supplement. Many collagen powders contain sugar and artificial sweeteners. Not only does this limit the creative use of it in the kitchen, it adds unnecessary calories to your diet as well. As we all know, consuming more calories than we burn eventually contributes to weight gain. The best collagen supplements should be clear of GMOs, flavors, artificial sweeteners, and basically everything except 100% collagen peptides. As a result, you can add this powerful protein to your coffee, tea, or even water without any extra calories or funky flavors.
When added to your morning coffee or mid-afternoon tea, collagen supplements can help improve satiety, allowing you to go longer between meals. In fact, one study found that consuming gelatin(the cooked form of collagen) increases the levels of satiety by reducing the hormone ghrelin, AKA the hunger hormone. Amandean's Premium Marine Collagen has only ~35 calories per scoop and is highly soluble in both hot and cold liquids. So, when you sip from your tea, not only are you supporting your hair, nails, and joints, you're working toward your weight loss goals too.
Taking a collagen supplement comes with very few, to virtually no side effects. If you consume too much, you could potentially experience digestive issues or an upset stomach. Just like we want to set the record straight on the "more protein = more weight" myth, we put together some FAQs to help optimize collagen use and who can benefit from it.
How long does it take to see benefits?The benefits of collagen are typically noticed after about 4 weeks of daily consumption.
What inhibits collagen production?Unfortunately, our collagen production naturally slows in our mid-twenties and plummets during/after menopause. Part of it is inevitable, but certain habits could be hindering your natural collagen production and stores. Excess alcohol consumption, smoking, consuming highly processed and sugary foods, regular sun exposure, lack of sleep, and a non-protective skincare routine can cause collagen production to slow and can damage the already existing collagen in our bodies. To protect your body's collagen, we highly recommend adding a marine collagen powder and a good sunscreen to your daily routine, while reducing or even eliminating the negative factors listed above.
What should I eat with my collagen supplement?If you're taking a collagen supplement as part of a weight loss program, you don't need to change much about your diet. Collagen powder can be dissolved in smoothies, coffee, tea, water, oatmeal, yogurt and more! You can use collagen as a surefire way to "hit your macros", while keeping meals lean to support your weight loss goals. Adding vitamin C to your diet can also make it more bioavailable (AKA effective), so try to consume them together.
What form of collagen supplement is the best?Improving your skin, hair, joint health, and body composition starts from the inside out. Topical collagen products like creams and gels can't permeate the skin, so there's no use there. Ingestible, collagen capsules can be taken instead of loose powder, but it takes longer to absorb and eliminates kitchen uses.
Can I take collagen if I don't work out often?Yes! Collagen supplements are not just designed for athletes or superhumans, they can benefit anyone, regardless of gym membership status. Read below for recommended dosages!
How much collagen should I consume in a day?Consuming anywhere from 2.5-15 grams of collagen daily is considered safe and effective. If you are a woman with a fairly active lifestyle and are looking to improve your performance in the gym, aim for around 10g per day. If you are extremely active or are placing more emphasis on building muscle, you can take more per day.
What time of day should I take my supplement?It's flexible! If you have digestive issues, it's better to take collagen in the morning alongside a drink or light breakfast. If you have sleeping issues, it's best to take it at night to help with satiety and potentially improve sleep quality.
Should I cycle my supplement?Supplement cycling, taking it for a couple of weeks then stopping for a week to a month, is common for fat burners or other tolerance-building supplements. For collagen, however, cycling could slow or dull your results.
At Amandean, we know a thing or two about collagen. Transparency and hard facts are at the core of our philosophy and our products. For even more information about the benefits of collagen for your fitness goals, head over to our blog or ask the experts directly!
Protein powders like whey and collagen are made of amino acids that are needed to produce new lean muscle mass and repair muscle tissue after an injury or workout.
Since muscle weighs more than fat, it is possible that you will first see the number on the scale going up, but ultimately collagen products can help you achieve your weight loss goals by improving your performance and helping you to recover.
The benefits of collagen are typically noticed after about 4 weeks of daily consumption.
To protect your body's collagen, we highly recommend adding marine collagen powder and good sunscreen to your daily routine.
