We all know that one of the challenges of aging is maintaining joint health, so it’s clear that adding collagen to our diets is important. So what is the best collagen powder for you?
That said, it can be hard to get enough collagen from natural sources (unless you love your bone broths!). If you haven’t read it already, check out our article collagen and see why it should be included in your daily supplement regimen and what types of foods you can find it in (Hint: it’s not just bone broth).
Let’s face it, choosing which type of any given supplement you should take isn’t daunting enough, but what about all the different brands to choose from, all with slightly different descriptions of what they contain?
One product has x ingredient, while another has y amount — what’s better? Here is what you should know about collagen.
Things to consider when picking a collagen supplement
Not all collagen supplements are created equal
Chicken, beef, or marine are all types of collagen powders you will see on the market. While the original source may be the same from brand to brand, the composition may not be. Collagen powders come from all sorts of different amino acid blends and peptides, as well as different forms of skin, tendons, or cartilage, so be mindful when choosing your powder. Look to find a product that is tailored to your specific needs.
Here are the three main types you’ll see:
- Unhydrolyzed collagen: This is the non-processed form of collagen where the amino acids are still fully bound to one another in full strands. Unhydrolyzed collagen is very strong and durable but also very difficult for the body to digest. You won’t see it very often because it’s relatively ineffective to be taken as an oral supplement.
- Collagen peptides (also known as collagen hydrolysate) are the form you’ll see most often. The hydrolyzation process breaks down the amino acids into smaller chains making them more bioavailable to the body. As a result, they’re absorbed into the bloodstream faster and easier.
- Gelatin: Gelatin is collagen that has undergone only partial hydrolyzation, leaving a powder or gel that will only dissolve in hot liquids. Since it has not undergone complete hydrolysis, the proteins are not entirely broken down, making gelatin more difficult for the body to absorb.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the type of collagen you’re getting. There are more than 16 different types of collagen, but 80-90% of what’s found in the body is type 1, 2, or 3. Here’s where they’re found:
- Type 1: Most prevalent in skin, tendons, bones, ligaments, dentin, and interstitial tissues, type 1 collagen is touted for its beneficial effects on hair, skin, and nails.
- Type 2: Found mainly in cartilage and vitreous humor, type 2 is extremely beneficial for maintaining cartilage health and preventing age-related joint diseases. However, it shouldn’t be combined with types 1 and 3.
- Type 3: Type 3 is found in the skin, muscles, and blood vessels and is often found alongside type 1. It’s also a major extracellular matrix component, making up our organs and skin. You’ll usually find type 3 alongside type 1.
Choose a product that’s backed by science
It should go without saying — if there hasn’t been researching on the product, and it’s not from a reputable brand, leave it on the shelf. Products backed by science ensure that the product was tested for safety and you get what you pay for. When dealing with your health, never compromise quality to save a few dollars. Check for products that are certified by reputable organizations like NSF, UL, and USP.
Opt for grass-fed and organic or sustainably harvested products
Just as the food you put into your body should be hormone- and antibiotic-free and grass-fed when possible, so should the supplements you take.
Ensure the product you choose is pure
Needless to say, pure, high-quality collagen powder is colorless and flavorless (for the most part) — unless it’s mixed with flavoring or extracts. If it’s yellow, brown, or any other visible color and has an “off” taste, it probably isn’t high quality and shouldn’t be something you put into your body. Another way to determine whether it’s good quality is the number of ingredients — the less there is on the label, the better the product.
Skip the flavored versions
Like any other flavored products, flavored collagen supplements often contain artificial colors and flavors that destroy some of the product’s beneficial properties but can upset your GI tract and add unnecessary calories. Go for the flavorless version and add your own sweetener if needed.
Now that we’ve covered what you should look for when buying a collagen supplement, here are a few different brands to consider. We’ll give you the low-down on what’s good about them and where they fall a bit short to help guide you in your decision.
Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate, Unflavoured
Great Lakes offers an outstanding collagen powder sourced from grass-fed cows that is verified non-GMO, glyphosate free, contains no MSG, and is gluten and dairy free.
It has a unique combination of 20 amino acids and delivers 12 grams of collagen protein per 2-tablespoon serving. Offering a whopping 2,785 mg of glycine, it’s also great for supporting joint and digestive health
It dissolves quickly and easily into hot and cold liquids with little flavor, making it an ideal addition to your morning coffee or smoothie.
Although on the higher end of the price scale, Great Lakes collagen offers superior quality, and we highly recommend it as a collagen supplement.
Key features:
- Sourced from grass-fed cows (bovine hide)
- Easy to absorb
- Powdered form
- Bio-active and contains 90% protein
- Readily dissolves in both hot and cold liquids
- 12g of collagen per serving – 12g (2 tbsp.)
- The unique combination of 20 amino acids
- Contains no fillers or additives
- Verified non-GMO, glyphosate free, contains no MSG, gluten, and dairy free
Downsides:
- Minor smell and taste
- Expensive
What customers say:
- Improves sleep
- Reduces joint pain
- Increases energy
- Increases hair growth
- Improves the appearance of skin and nails
- Mixes well in both hot and cold liquids
- Prevents hair loss
Youtheory Mens Collagen
Youtheory offers a great quality product that with all three types of collagen for the health and maintenance of hair, skin, nails, bones, joints, and cartilage.
Sourced from bovine and chicken, it contains no dairy, soy, or gluten. As it is hydrolyzed collagen in tablet form, it’s easy to swallow, well absorbed by the body, and you don’t have to worry about mixing it into liquids.
Supplying 18 amino acids in addition to biotin and L-cysteine, Youtheory men’s collagen is a great choice for maintaining health.
Key features:
- Type 1, 2, and 3 collagen
- Tablet form
- Bovine and chicken sourced
- 5g of collagen per serving (6 tablets)
- Supplies 18 amino acids
- Contains Fo-Ti root extract, biotin, and L-Cysteine
- Hydrolyzed collagen
Downsides:
- High dosage (6 tablets)
- Filler ingredients
- Less collagen per serving than other brands
- Designed specifically for men
- Not certified from grass-fed or pasture-raised sources
- Type 2 collagen should be taken separately from type 1 and 3 for increased absorption
What customers say:
- Less collagen per serving than other brands
- Improved joints and muscles
- Improves the elasticity of the skin
- Reduces pain
- Increases hair and nail growth
NeoCell Super Collagen Powder
NeoCell offers an excellent quality collagen powder sourced from grass-fed and pastured raised cows, contains no soy, wheat, lactose, starch, corn, or yeast, and is also free from GMOs and artificial flavors.
Containing both type 1 and 3 hydrolyzed collagen, it’s great for hair, skin, nail, and bone health and is bioavailable and easily absorbed by the body.
Key features:
- Type 1 and 3 collagen
- Sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised cows
- Powdered form
- 6.6g collagen per serving (1 scoop)
- Bioavailable and bioactive
- Non-GMO
- Contains no fillers or additives
- Readily dissolves in both hot and cold liquids
- Inexpensive
Downsides:
- Less collagen per serving than other brands
What customers say:
- Great for hair and nail growth
- Hydrates skin well
- Increases elasticity of the skin
- Helps to reduce dark spots
- Combine with vitamin C for increased absorption
- Minimizes wrinkles
- Causes some stomach discomfort
There are a lot of collagen supplements on the market, so do your research and watch out for low-quality products. Look for supplements that contain 100% collagen sourced from grass-fed or pastured sources, and avoid products containing artificial ingredients, flavors, colors, or any additional additives or fillers. To increase absorbability, opt for collagen hydrolysate over other forms.
