The Scoop on Collagen and How We Use It
Scroll through Instagram for a minute, and you’re bound to see one of those pretty blue jars sitting next to an amazing looking smoothie. Vital Proteins collagen supplements are EVERYWHERE - and it seems like everyone loves it. But what really is collagen? Do we really need to supplement it? Does taking it live up to the hype?
Let’s explore.
WHAT IS COLLAGEN?
Collagen is the “glue” that holds the body together - its the most abundant protein in the body, and it helps make up your muscles, bones, skin, joints, tendons, and blood vessels. It's the protein that makes your skin elastic, replaces dead skin cells, and creates functioning joints and tendons.
WHY DO WE NEED TO SUPPLEMENT IT?
Although most of the body is made up of collagen, we actually significantly slow down in collagen production as we age. After age 20 or so, we lose about 1% of our collagen every year. In addition, lifestyle stressors such as diets high in sugar, sun and pollutant exposure, or smoking can deplete collagen stores. Hence - aging. Looser skin, joint pain, weaker bones, etc. All not fun stuff.
BENEFITS
There are tons of benefits to maintaining healthy collagen levels. They include:
- improved skin health and elasticity
- reduced joint pain and bone degeneration
- reduced risk of muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries in athletes
- boosted metabolism, muscle mass, and energy output
- strengthened nails, hair, and teeth
- improved liver and cardiovascular health
So this flavorless, versatile supplement can help with ALL of those things?? Um, yea, we’re listening.
BUT…IT’S NOT VEGAN.
True. Collagen supplements are typically sourced from bovine hide. Vital Proteins, in particular, makes sure to use pasture raised, grass fed animals that are not hormone treated for dairy production. VP also makes a marine collagen supplement sourced from non-GMO wild caught snapper. We’re here to inform, not to tell you what to do (except to eat more plants - we’ll tell you that, regardless of your diet of choice!). Do we see the benefits of supplementing collagen? Absolutely. Are we going to tell you to take it if you are morally opposed to it? Absolutely not. Everyone is different.
HOW CAN WE USE IT?
Collagen is found in a ton of beauty products - but get this: collagen molecules are actually too large to be absorbed by the skin. So if we want to supplement it, we really need to supplement internally.
Vital Proteins collagen peptides are PERFECT for this. They are odorless, tasteless, and dissolve in both hot and cold liquids. This means you can drop a scoop in your tea, water, juice, or smoothie - and it works perfectly in all of them. You can also add it to your favorite recipes, like baked goods, salad dressings, WHATEVER - and they are totally undetectable. My favorite? Adding a scoop to my morning smoothie - its super simple and makes your blend wonderfully creamy and thick, without changing the flavor AT ALL.
In addition to adding a collagen supplement to your diet, you can prevent natural loss of collagen by limiting sun exposure, eating a nutritious diet high in Vitamin C and Omega 3s and low in added sugars, and exfoliating regularly to ensure healthy skin renewal.
HERE'S A TASTY AM BEVERAGE WE RECOMMEND:
BLEND the following...
1/2 banana
1/2 cup cold brew coffee
1/2 cup of almond milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (just a splash)
1 scoop of vital proteins collagen peptides
1 tablespoon almond butter
pinch of sea salt
4-6 ice cubes
It's part smoothie, part cup of coffee, part supplement... total win. It's an amazing new take on your morning coffee routine.
OUR EXPERIENCE??
"Personally, I started taking collagen every day when I noticed my hip was making a sad creaky sound when I was working out (nooo healthy joints - please don’t go!) I swear, 4 months later, my laugh lines are a little lighter, my ponytail feels a little thicker, and I'm hearing a whole lot less popping in my hips." - Jen
"I enjoy using Vital Proteins because they make taking a collagen supplement EASY. It's so simple to throw an individual pack in my bag and add it to a hot tea or smoothie throughout the day". - Jess
"My favorite is the Beauty Greens blend with Marine collagen! I like the slight coconut favor, it works perfectly in a green smoothie." - Kate
Want to learn more? Vital Proteins will be at the GOOD Fest answering all your pressing collagen questions and sampling their goods (including their new line - give us all the lavender lemon beauty water, please!).
Can’t wait to see you all there!
