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Differences Between Protein Powder and Collagen

The Differences Between Protein Powder And Collagen

by drinks, Supplements, ,

As more people prioritize their health and wellness, there has been a growing interest in supplementing with either protein powder and/or collagen. While they may sound similar, these products are actually quite different and serve different purposes. 

What are the differences between protein powder and collagen?

Protein powder is a dietary supplement that provides a concentrated source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues in the body. Protein powder can be made from a variety of sources such as whey, casein, and pea. It is often used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts in order to enhance performance, build muscle mass, and to aid in post-workout recovery. It is important to note that protein powder can be used by anyone looking to increase their protein intake, including vegetarians, based on the source of the protein and their preference for animal protein or not.

Collagen, on the other hand,  is the most abundant protein in the body. It is responsible for maintaining the health and elasticity of our skin, bones, joints, and other connective tissues. Our body tends to produce less collagen as we age, which can result in wrinkles, joint pain, or other signs of aging. Collagen supplements are derived from animal sources, such as cow or fish. In addition to supporting skin and joint health it can also promote healthy hair and nail. 

Protein powder benefits

protein powder

  • Building muscle mass: It’s an excellent source of amino acids which are essential for building and repairing muscle tissue.  Getting enough Protein is very important for people over 40, as it prevents muscle wasting that can happen as we age. Protein also helps promote a faster metabolic rate. And let’s not forget that good quality muscle mass is necessary for a strong and capable body, a stronger core, and better posture.
  • Weight loss: Many people trying to lose weight may be eating too little protein. The use of protein powder may help boost the system a little
  • Post workout recovery: Adding a protein boost after workouts can often help reduce muscle soreness and support recovery
  • Convenience: Protein powder is an easy way to up your protein intake, especially if you are on the go

Collagen powder benefitscollagen powder

  1. Healthy skin, hair, and nails: Collagen promotes elasticity and hydration. This can help to improve the appearance of your skin, hair, and nails
  2. Joint health: Studies have shown collagen is very helpful for repairing cartilage as well as reducing joint pain and stiffness 
  3. Gut health: Collagen helps support your gut by helping to balance the beneficial bacteria as well as helping to create a strong gut lining both of which can help with digestion
  4. Bone health: In addition to improving hair, skin, and nails, collagen can also improve how strong your bones are and your bone density 

Which one should I use?

Whether you choose protein powder or collagen powder really depends on your wellness goals and your dietary needs. 

Looking to build muscle mass or recover after a workout?

Protein powder may be a better choice. 

Want to improve the health and appearance of your skin, hair, and nails, or support joint and gut health?

Collagen may be a better choice here.

In conclusion

Both protein powder and collagen have their own unique benefits and can be used to supplement a healthy diet. 

By understanding the differences between the two, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

My preferred powder, whether it’s protein or collagen, is Rootz.  I’ve written about them before and I like their clean label profile and how they create their products. 

Here’s a quick and easy smoothie that uses either protein powder or collagen.protein powder vs collagen

  • 1 serving protein powder or collagen powder
  • 1 ½  cup almond milk
  • 1-2 T.  seeds (flax, chia, hemp, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame)
  • 1 handful greens 
  • 1/2 C. berries, fresh or frozen
  • 2 T. melted coconut oil
  1. Place all ingredients into a blender except the coconut oil
  2. Pour in the coconut oil while the blender is going in order to avoid clumping
collagen benefits

The Many Health Benefits Of Collagen

by health, Uncategorized

The health benefits of collagen are immense, which makes sense because it's the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen is found in:

  • Bones
  • Muscles
  • Skin, hair, and nails
  • Tendons and ligaments
  • Cartilage
  • Digestive tract
  • Veins and arteries
  • Teeth (dentin)
  • Eyes (cornea and lens)

Thus, it's essential to maintaining optimal health.

The term collagen stems from the Greek word "kolla," which means glue. This makes sense because its key responsibility is to provide structural integrity for a variety of tissues throughout the body.

Collagen Synthesis and Natural Decline

Symptoms such as wrinkles, loose skin, joint pain, and poor wound healing occur as we age due to a natural decrease in collagen production. This natural decline also increases the risk of heart disease and digestive dysfunction if damage to the arterial walls or intestinal tract occurs.

Your diet and lifestyle can also affect collagen synthesis. For example, the body needs an adequate supply of vitamin C and silica (trace mineral) among others to produce collagen. In addition, vitamin C is quickly depleted when your body is under stress.

High sugar diets, smoking, and prolonged sun exposure have also been shown to negatively impact or damage collagen in the body.

However, there are specific foods and supplements we can add to our diet to boost our synthesis of collagen. These include vitamin C and silica rich foods as well as bone broth, and collagen peptides, which I'll discuss in more detail shortly.

Health Benefits of Collagen

Supporting your body's natural production of collagen has many health benefits. Some key advantages include:

Skin: Collagen promotes firm skin. Thus, it's nature's perfect anti-wrinkle compound. And collagen will also help to reduce sagging skin, cellulite, and stretch marks. In addition, it helps to keep skin moist and smooth.

Hair and Nails: Collagen is the key structural component of your hair and nails. Thus, it keeps them from breaking. And this study suggests collagen may even help to prevent hair loss.

Joints: Collagen is a smooth substance that covers your bones and holds them together. Thus, it allows your joints to move with ease and without pain. Athletes may also benefit from collagen stimulating supplements to protect their joints from degeneration and improve their performance. Further, this study provides support for using collagen to effectively treat osteoarthritis and other joint disorders.

Digestive Tract: The key amino acids in collagen (i.e., glycine and proline) both nourish and heal the lining of the digestive tract. Thus, those suffering from gut-related disorders (i.e., leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disorders, and reflux) may benefit significantly from consuming collagen. In fact, this study found that serum concentrations of collagen are reduced in those with inflammatory bowel disorders. It's also worth noting that since a large portion of the immune system resides in the gut, maintaining a healthy digestive tract is essential for immune health.

Muscles: One of the key roles of glycine is to help create energy to build muscle cells. And strong muscles are necessary to effectively support your bones, especially as we age. In addition, muscle cells are effective at burning body fat.

Heart Health: Proline helps to repair arterial wall damage as well as keep your arteries free from plaque. Thus, collagen reduces your risk of developing heart disease.

Boosting Your Synthesis of CollagenDifferences Between Protein Powder and Collagen

Increasing your intake of vitamin C and silica is recommended to increase collagen production. This can be accomplished by eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables each day. Silica is also found in oats.

Bone broth is a great source of glycine and proline needed to synthesize collagen. To learn more about bone broth as well as how to make it, please refer to this article.

When it comes to supplementation, I highly recommend Rootz Collagen. It is made with 100% organic bovine hide collagen peptides, ensuring purity and potency.

Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle, their collagen is free from hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides, providing the cleanest and most bioavailable collagen available.

They are highly digestible and soluble in both hot and cold liquids. Thus, you can simply add a scoop or two a day to the following:

  • Tea or coffee
  • Fresh juice
  • Smoothies
  • Soups and stews
  • Sauces and gravies

In Conclusion

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and is essential for vibrant health inside and out. Its synthesis naturally declines as we age, which is why I often recommend supplementing with Rootz Collagen.

Adding collagen peptides to your diet promotes youthful skin and strong hair, bones, muscles, joints, and teeth. It also protects your heart, boosts immunity, and improves digestive health.