Can Collagen Powder Help with Joint Pain? A Science-Backed Look

Today, interest in dietary collagen is growing at a rapid rate, and for good reason. I started taking collagen three years ago, and some pretty remarkable things have happened. The benefits of a collagen-rich diet are incredible, ranging from better weight control, improved digestion, clearer skin, reduced inflammation, and improved immune function.1 In my practice, collagen has become a game changer for injury recovery. I recommend it daily to patients dealing with ligament, tendon, cartilage, or joint problems.2 It works that well. Collagen based products provide a unique blend of amino acids that are critical for everyone, regardless of age. If you don’t get enough collagen in your diet you can experience an increase in injuries, digestive issues, and other symptoms associated with aging (decreased bone mineral density, wrinkles, and arthritis).3 Is collagen good for men? Absolutely - Collagen is a protein your body produces naturally and is a major component of skin, bone, and connective tissue.2 Let’s examine why this is not only a safe, but critical supplement to consider. 5 Surprising Benefits of Collagen for men 1. Bulletproof bones and joints The cartilage and space between your joints acts like a cushion to absorb shock and force. But aging, arthritis, sports injuries, and collagen deficiency can compromise this cushioning effect.2 The breakdown of this system can lead to pain and debility. The good news is that collagen has a protective effect on cartilage and provides pain relief.3 It is highly effective for those that live an active life and push their bodies to the limit. For the last three years collagen has been a staple in my post workout shake. As a result, I feel better now at age 35 than I did at 27. 2. Helps you grow strong and thick hair Your hair, skin, and nails are made up primarily of the protein keratin.4 Increasing your collagen intake provides your body with the raw materials needed to build keratin leading to stronger hair and nails. Other nutrients to consider for hair loss are Vitamin A, Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and thyroid hormone levels.5 Along with collagen, these micronutrients are key to growing thick, strong hair. 3. Boosts muscle recovery If you love working out, building muscle, and want to improve your recovery time between sessions - collagen can help.6 Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage are all stressed during workouts. Since collagen makes up 30% of the proteins in our body, we can directly supports our recovery and repair process by making sure we get lots of it in our diet and through supplementation.7 4. Promotes gut health Collagen is essential to heal and seal your gut.8 The lining of our intestines acts like a screen door that filters out large particles and absorbs small molecules like simple sugars, amino acids, and fats. If the intestinal lining is compromised or leaky, you open yourself up to a wide array of health concerns and digestive distress. When undigested food and toxins creep in, it leads to inflammation, immune system dysregulation, sleep problems, and chronic digestive complaints. Collagen provides your intestinal cells with the amino acids glycine and proline which are essential in rebuilding the lining of your digestive tract.8 Glycine also helps reduce inflammation which is common in those that suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 5. Improves heart health Collagen provides structural support to the cardiovascular and circulatory system. Without sufficient collagen, the vessels that carry blood around your body become weak and fragile.9 Collagen supplementation has been shown to lead to a significant reduction in arterial stiffness.10 Collagen powder and peptides for men When choosing the right collagen product there are a few things to keep in mind. Look for free range and antibiotic free animals as the collagen source. Check for third party certifications that indicate proper quality and purity. Avoid products that blend in other ingredients with collagen such as probiotics or fiber because we don’t have enough data to see how they interact. On the label, look for either collagen hydrolysate, hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides - this indicates the collagen has been broken down into small enough particles that are easily absorbed. Collagen supplements for men Restore and rebuild collagen with Organika’s Enhanced Collagen flavourless hydrolyzed collagen powder. Peptides are short chain amino acids naturally derived from collagen protein. These natural peptides are highly bio-available, digestible and soluble. Sourced from grass-fed cows, Enhanced Collagen is rBGH & BSE-free (no antibiotics or hormones), with no artificial sweeteners or GMO ingredients. Amino acids glycine, lysine & proline revitalize, firm and smooth skin. Shop Enhanced Collagen References https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7271718/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18416885/ http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbgg/v19n1/1809-9823-rbgg-19-01-00153.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30547302/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177172/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003457/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28174772/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429168/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21582/ Axe, J. The Collagen Diet. 2019.

Do collagen supplements support weight management or other fitness goals? Collagen has exploded on the health scene for good reason. It helps boost the elasticity and integrity of our skin, supports our joints and muscles, and helps strengthen our gut lining. But what about weight loss? Can a collagen supplement help support weight loss goals, and if so, how? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for about 30% of the body’s total protein. It is present in all of our tissues and organs, and is essential for many physiological processes. Let’s break down how collagen can support weight loss ... Source of Amino Acids As a source of protein and amino acids, collagen may drive weight loss because it helps with ‘satiety’, our feeling of fullness. When we feel full, with steady blood sugar levels, we tend to eat less and crave less sugar. Although not a complete protein, there is associated muscle mass support and building that is supported when coupled with resistance training. The more muscle we have, the more calories we burn at rest. Organika’s Essential Aminos Enhanced Collagen Protein is a great addition to your routine especially if weight loss is part of your goals, because with all 9 essential amino acids; this collagen powder IS a complete protein. Joint Support Collagen’s ability to strengthen and support our joints, is another way it may aid in weight loss. People living with joint pain, especially Osteoarthritis, know how limiting it can be on their ability to exercise. As collagen is essential for healthy connective tissue in joints, tendons and ligaments, supplementing may help reduce pain, allowing for increased physical activity. Try Enhanced Collagen Bone & Joint for added supplements and support to support aching joints, muscles and further build bone density. Gut Health Maintaining a strong gut lining is important for how our body digests, absorbs and utilizes nutrients from our food. Collagen plays a role in building healthy connective tissue throughout the digestive tract. It also helps ensure a good balance of bacteria. By supporting the gut, collagen helps aid in digestion, immune function and weight loss. For added gut health benefits, try Full Spectrum Collagen 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 – a multi-sourced collagen that also includes chicken broth for added protein and gut health benefits. Beyond Weight Loss Collagen may extend beyond weight loss, in its capacity to help deal with the unwanted side effects of weight loss like loose skin. By strengthening the dermis layer of the skin, collagen may help reduce the appearance of cellulite and sagging loose skin. Studies have shown that supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen peptides help to tighten the skin, improving its integrity and texture. Looking for fat burning? Let’s take it one step further if weight loss and fat burning are your goal. While collagen helps in the ways above, you can add other nutrients that assist in weight loss to any collagen. Organika has done the work for you with Metaboost Fat Metabolizing Complex. This collagen powder offers the same Enhanced Collagen protein from hydrolyzed grass-fed bovine collagen peptides... PLUS has other natural ingredients such as L carnitine and Garcinia to help boost your metabolism. This powder helps to keep you feeling fuller long, burn fat, and support weight management. As you can see, the benefits of collagen are wide ranging. Along with all the reasons we love collagen to support our healthy lifestyle, we can now add weight loss to that list.

What’s the difference? Which one do I need? The word collagen and protein do go together, but there is sometimes confusion around if they are the same thing.They are indeed different. They both cannot be consumed for the same reason; they serve different purposes. Let’s dive in... Collagen vs. Protein Powder Although collagen is a protein, it is not a complete protein. That means collagen does not have all the nine essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Protein powders serve the purpose of being consumed as part of your daily protein intake; therefore, it is a complete protein. Collagen serves a specific function, hence it contains specific amino acids, such as glycine and proline. What does that mean? It means, collagen isn’t consumed for the same purpose as protein powder. It is taken specifically as a function/benefit to replenish the lost collagen in the body. Whereas protein powder counts towards your daily macronutrients. Both are important. Why Use Collagen Powder Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body, in fact, there are multiple types of collagen. It is a structural protein that allows your skin to have elasticity, muscles to have buoyancy, joints and connective tissues to have flexibility, hair to have strength. However, as you age the amount of collagen your body produces and has decreases. That is why collagen supplementation is key. You cannot get enough amino acids to make more collagen from the conventional ways of eating protein. This is because collagen resides in ligaments, skin, bones, cartilage, and tendons... which are not consumed regularly. Also, it’s unlikely that you will consume enough glycine, for example, for your body to synthesize new collagen on its own. When to use collagen or protein powder If you are looking to increase your protein intake, build muscle mass, you may want to add protein powders into smoothies or recipes to help you reach your macronutrient goals. However, if you are not in that boat, you may not need to supplement with all the amino acids to rebuild new muscle. If you want to improve your joints, muscle recovery, hair, skin, and nails... then collagen is your best bet. With a protein powder, you get all amino acids to reach protein needs. With collagen, you are supplementing what you've lost so that you can improve and enhance your longevity and feel good from the inside out. And yes... you can use both. Just be sure to manage how much protein you are taking in one day to not exceed your daily maximums. For more questions on your nutritional needs, please contact us at care@organika.com and we would be happy to guide your or put you in touch with an RHN.