Vital Proteins gives you the boost you need to support healthy hair, skin, nails, bone and joint health.

Vital Proteins® is here to help make the most of every moment, every day. Because we know that feeling our best, looking our best and performing our best starts from within. Wellness is a journey and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

WHAT IS COLLAGEN?

BY GRACE GAVILANES - AUGUST 11, 2021

WHAT IS COLLAGEN?: AN OVERVIEW

Collagen is the body's most abundant protein and helps give structure to our hair, skin, nails, bones, ligaments and tendons. Thanks to collagen, we're better able to move, bend and stretch. Collagen is also behind helping hair shine, skin glow and nails stay strong.** 

So, what is collagen made of? Collagen is a protein made up of amino acids glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and arginine — all of which help our body's connective tissue, skin, hair and nails stay as healthy as possible.**

As we age, and the more stress we put on our body, the greater the impact on collagen production. Adding ingestible collagen to a balanced diet can help our bodies regenerate what's been lost or broken down.** 

Collagen protein is different than whey and casein protein because of these high levels of amino acids. Muscular growth, joint health and an overall glowing appearance can be partially attributed to the amino acid blend in collagen.**

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COLLAGEN?

So, what are the benefits of collagen? Collagen is an important building block for the skin as it makes up 70% of it. The dermis, which provides the foundation for the skin, is closely involved in the skin's elasticity and flexibility and is the main source of collagen in the skin.

Collagen is important for the skin in a number of ways. When it comes to aging skin, collagen keeps it firm, plump, hydrated and supple.** As we age, our body's natural collagen production begins to decline, which may lead to the appearance of fine lines and sagging skin. In the skin tissue, collagen adds firmness and elasticity. 

COLLAGEN IN OUR BODY

Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and including collagen rich foods — like bone broth, berries, citrus fruits, cashews and gelatin — in your diet are a few ways to help keep these important parts of our bodies well-oiled and strong.

Take this registered dietitian's word for it. Red bell peppers, specifically, "are rich in vitamin C which is an antioxidant that can help with skin regeneration [and] is also great for the immune system," Ilyse Schapiro, RD, tells Lively. 

That being said, nutrient-rich foods don't provide enough of the amino acids needed for the body to naturally produce collagen. (But adding them to your recipes can't hurt!) Supplementing your diet with ingestible collagen, however, can increase your collagen intake and help to support your wellness goals.

COLLAGEN FOR JOINT HEALTH

Ligaments, joints and tendons are all part of the intricate matrix in our body largely consisting of collagen.

Ligaments and tendons are a type of connective tissue that attaches two bones and muscles, holding them together. These tissues — bones, ligaments, tendons and the skeletal muscles — are made up of proteins, including collagen. 

As important as exercise is to our lives, strenuous and continuous exertion can put a strain on our bodies, especially on muscles, joints and ligaments. Incorporating ingestible collagen (aka hydrolyzed collagen) into your diet can help support joint health.** Generally speaking, the more hydrolyzed collagen is, the more soluble, digestible and absorbable it is.

Our wide variety of products replace what modern food processing has removed from our diets by restoring and promoting collagen production, which is the key to muscle and ligament health. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST SOURCES OF COLLAGEN?

There are 3 main types of collagen: types I, II and III.

TYPE I COLLAGEN

Type I is the most prevalent type of collagen in the body. This is the type of collagen you're probably thinking about if you’re interested in preserving the levels of collagen in your skin, hair or nails. Because it is so prevalent in the connective tissues, we often see the decrease of type I collagen resulting in characteristics such as sagging skin, fine lines, brittle nails and thinning hair. But type I collagen isn’t just a beauty-related substance. It’s also a major component of the tendons, organs and bones. 

TYPE II COLLAGEN

Though somewhat less prevalent in the body than type I, type II collagen is extremely important. It is the main component of cartilage and is extremely healthy for the skeletal system. Active people who need to rely on their joints may also benefit from adding type II collagen into their diet. 

TYPE III COLLAGEN

The third commonly found type of collagen, Type III, is generally found in reticular fibers, such as in the bone marrow. It's usually found alongside Type I collagen in the body.

WHY SHOULD I PURCHASE VITAL PROTEINS COLLAGEN PEPTIDES?

Not all collagen is created equal. Here at Vital, we're committed to setting the bar high when it comes to quality, transparency and clean labels.

FAMILY-RUN FARMS AND ANIMAL WELFARE

We source our collagen from the hides of cows, which freely roam and graze pastures tended to by our select network of family-run farms.

INDEPENDENTLY-TESTED

An independent, third-party lab monitors and evaluates all of our collagen products, including Collagen Peptides, for pesticides, ractopamine, glyphosate, hormones and antibiotics.

TRANSPARENT & TRACEABLE

We proudly source our Collagen Peptides from one animal [cows], which allows us to have a fully transparent and traceable supply chain.

CHEMICAL-FREE PROCESSING

Rather than using chemicals to process the collagen, we use simple techniques involving purified water, proteolytic enzymes (nutrients that break down protein) and hot, pressurized air. 

NO CLUMPING/HIGH QUALITY

We use a unique, premium blend of collagen peptides, that's odorless, unflavored and mixes incredibly easily in hot or cold liquids.

BPA/BPS-FREE CANISTERS

Collagen Peptides is packaged in recyclable, BPA/BPS-free canisters.

EASY TO USE

Collagen Peptides is odorless, flavorless and will not thicken the consistency of your favorite beverage. Whether it's coffee, a smoothie or simply citrus water, you can easily add collagen to your daily wellness routine.

HOW MUCH COLLAGEN SHOULD YOU TAKE EVERY DAY?

It's one of our most frequently asked questions! While we normally recommend taking 10-20g of collagen per day, we also recognize that everyone's lifestyle is different in terms of diet, activity level and overall wellness goals. Vital Proteins collagen contains 18 amino acids, including 8 out of 9 essential amino acids. It is characterized by the predominance of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, which represent about 50% of the total amino acid content. Glycine and proline concentration is 10 to 20 times higher than in other proteins. This very specific composition of amino acids, provides Vital Proteins’ collagen with nutritional functional properties that can not be found with other protein sources.

When it comes to adding our ingestible collagen to your diet, VP fans love adding a scoop of our collagen powder to their morning coffee or smoothie. Our Collagen Peptides, in particular, is super versatile because it's unflavored and odorless. It's also easily digested and soluble in cold or hot liquids — and two scoops a day (the serving size listed on our Collagen Peptides label) is all you need.