The 3 Best Collagen Supplements: Reviews

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Collagen loss causes unwelcome changes in our skin and bones as we age. Luckily, research shows that collagen peptides can help improve joint pain and promote more youthful-looking skin.

Our Picks For The Top 3 Best Collagen Peptide Supplements

    • Great Lakes Gelatin

      Great Lakes Gelatin has those valuable collagen peptides. Only pasture-raised, grass-fed cattle are used in making this product. Because it contains no grain, dairy, legumes or artificial additives, it’s Certified Paleo Friendly.

      The product comes in a 16-ounce two-pack (or a total of 908 grams). The manufacturer recommends using two teaspoons a day for best results.

      What We Like About Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen:

      • Because the gelatin mixes easily with warm water, it can be used in lots of foods. The company’s website has recipes for smoothies, snacks and baked goods.
      • The intact collagen in regular gelatin can be hard to digest. Great Lakes Gelatin contains hydrolyzed collagen, which is partially broken down and much easier to absorb.
      • This is a non-GMO, MSG-free, and Certified Kosher product.
      • Each lot is independently tested by a certified lab.
      • The product has an average Amazon rating of 4.7 stars.

      What We Don’t Like About Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen:

      • Some customers commented on finding the flavor unpleasant. The website does acknowledge that the pork formula has a more mild taste. However, only the beef version is Kosher-Pareve.
      • The packaging leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to durability in shipping.

    • Sports Research

best collagen peptides

There’s a reason that Sports Research Collagen Collagen Peptides Powder is the number 1 best seller on Amazon right now. This non-GMO, gluten free peptide powder is sourced from grass-fed, non-GMO cattle. With over 6,000 reviews and a solid rating, this is a time tested peptide supplement with a long enough history to not make us question their quality.

The price and quality of the Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder also make it a good option for those looking for the best bang for their buck. However, this is another area which Great Lakes Gelatin comes up on top. However, if you’re looking to just try collagen supplementation for the first time, there is something to be said about the convenience of a single 16 oz (454 gram) package as opposed to a 2 pack of 16 oz containers.

What We Like About Sports Research Unflavored Collagen Peptide Powder:

      • 3rd party certifications from the Paleo & Keto Foundation and IGEN program make it an attractive option with outside organizations vouching for its purity.
      • Our research indicates that it is the same quality as Great Lakes Gelatin.
      • Sports Research boasts a very responsive customer service team who works to resolve any issues with their products.

What We Don’t Like About Sports Research Unflavored Collagen Peptide Powder:

      • Unfortunately, this this option is not certified Kosher, so individuals who have dietary restrictions must look elsewhere.
      • While the packaging, labeling, and product seem high-quality, it isn’t enough for us to justify the price difference between this and the Great Lakes option.

    • Natural Force

Natural Force Collagen Peptides features 10 grams of protein per serving and is fat and sugar-free. This particular supplement aims to be as “bare-bones” as possible, keeping any additions (such as vitamin-C) out of their formula.

What We Like About Natural Force Collagen Peptides:

      • Like several of the other options, it is sourced from grass-fed, free-roaming cattle.
      • Being free of vitamin-C allows individual users to customize if, how much, and what source of vitamin-C to use to aid absorption.
      • Reviewers on Amazon collectively comment that it is indeed tasteless and dissolves well.
      • They openly provide a heavy metal analysis of their collagen:
        • Mercury 0.0020 ppm
        • Lead <0.001 ppm
        • Arsenic 0.0022 ppm
        • Cadmium <0.001 ppm

What We Don’t Like About Natural Force Collagen Peptides:

      • For those who find kosher certification important, it is certified by Ko Kosher Service. However, we couldn’t find reliable information regarding the legitimacy of that certification service. Therefore, additional due diligence is needed. However, for those who do not need to worry about such a certification, this should not be a concern.

Natural Force Collagen Peptides are available in three separate sizes:

    • 5.87 oz (15 Servings, 167 grams)
    • 11.75 oz (30 Servings, 333 grams)
    • 32 oz (81 Servings, 907.19 grams)

For those unfamiliar with collagen supplements, or why someone would take them, we’ve compiled some background information to help. Please note: the advice on this site does not constitute medical advice and we recommend checking with your doctor before changing your dietary habits.

What are Collagen Supplements?

Collagen, which constitutes a good portion of our bodies, is a protein that makes our connective tissue strong and supple. The word comes from a Greek word – kolla – meaning ‘glue.’ We manufacture collagen from the foods we eat as well as getting collagen in an already-synthesized form from dairy products, eggs, and meat. It is the most abundant protein in the human body as it structurally supports the shape and integrity of skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons.

The amino acids that make up collagen are chemically bonded together in elongated fashion, and they are present in especially large amounts in tissue with lots of tough fibers – like tendons and ligaments. It also is found extensively in blood vessels, the gut, the cornea, and the discs of the spinal column. It is collagen that gives our skin that young-looking characteristic of being ‘stretchy’ and the way it quickly returns to the original shape when released.

Our body continually replaces collagen, but as we get older, we are not able to replace it as soon as we wear it out. That is why our skin noticeably changes in appearance over time. The same process is taking place inside our tendons, muscles, and other connective tissue but it isn’t readily visible from the outside.

Collagen is essential in the integrity of our body, and its role dramatically influences the way we look in keeping us free from wrinkles, lines, and saggy skin.

What are Collagen Supplements used for?

Because the aging process slows the process of collagen generation, many resort to collagen supplements to compensate for this decline in skin elasticity.

Can’t I Just Eat Food With Collagen In Them?

A perfectly valid question! Collagen does occur naturally in foods. In fact, many of the best collagen supplements use fish, beef, or chicken as the starting point for creating a refined collagen pill or powder.

There are two types of food that someone can eat that can help with collagen in the body: foods containing collagen, foods which help prevent the breakdown of collagen, and foods that help the body naturally produce collagen.

  • Bone Broth
  • Leafy Greens
  • Eggs

Collagen Supplements Risks

However, this is the source of one of the risks of relying upon a collagen supplement. Because collagen functionally acts like a sponge, it has a tendency to retain heavy metals and other toxic ingredients if not thoroughly tested for.

In response to increased consumer awareness, many companies have begun to publish test results of their supplements, a step that we encourage all brands to pursue.

Further, the potential risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease from collagen supplements from factory farms is present, using a collagen supplement sourced from free range sources may be helpful to mitigate the risk.

Sources Of Collagen In Supplements

  • Fish

    Overall, considered a great source of collagen. However, due to the cost of fish collagen, most collagen supplement users turn to free-range bovine collagen supplements.

  • Bovine

    Striking a great balance between cost and effectiveness, free-range bovine collagen supplements are typically the type that are most popular among users.

  • Porcine

    There are great similarities between porcine collagen sources and bovine sources. The low cost and availability make them a great choice. Again, it’s likely best to stick with free-range options.

  • Fowl

    Fowl collagen sources are not typically used in skincare products, however, they have been shown to improve joint health in certain studies.

Do Collagen Supplements Work?

Scientific literature on collagen supplementation with collagen peptides do indeed have an impact on the body. Collagen has been tested to reduce wrinkles, improve joint and bone health, and improve skin hydration. The most conclusive and well researched application deal with joint health.

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