Your Body

Grass-Fed Collagen: What You Need to Know

What is Collagen?

 

Collagen makes up 30% of the body’s protein. It gives structure to important tissues such as the skin, muscles, bone, hair, tendons, and cartilage.

 

As we age, the body’s ability to make collagen diminishes significantly, beginning around age 30.

 

Shop Collagen Supplements

 

What Are the Benefits of Grass-Fed Collagen?

 

There are many benefits of using collagen supplements in your routine. Grass-fed collagen can help to:

 

  • Support skin elasticity
  • Promote beautiful skin, hair, and nails
  • Support joints and mobility

 

What’s the Difference Between Collagen, Bone Broth & Collagen Peptides?

 

Collagen is a very large protein. It consists of three long chains of amino acids. These chains are made up of 18 different amino acids including three important ones called proline, hydroxyproline, and glutamine. Each molecule has three long chains wrapped around in a triple helix structure.

 

What Do Collagen Peptides Do?

Your Health

What Do Collagen Peptides Do?

Discover the benefits of collagen peptides and learn how to add them into your routine.

2020-05-12 09:31:07By Garden of Life

 

Because it’s such a large molecule, the body needs to break it down in order to digest it. Bone broth is a partially-digested form of collagen (made by boiling bones for hours). When it’s completely digested, it’s in the form of small chains of amino acids called collagen peptides, which are easily-absorbed and are very bioavailable to the body. They travel in the bloodstream to deliver the amino acids to the tissues for building collagen.

 

What are the Main Types of Collagen?

 

Although there are sixteen different types of collagen found throughout the body, there are only three main types (Type I, II, and III) that make up around 90% of all the collagen in our bodies. Type I makes up around 80% of that.

 

Type I Collagen

 

Type I collagen is found mostly in skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, and teeth. It’s the major structural compound of hair, skin, and nails. Type I is typically consumed by those seeking to minimise fine lines and wrinkles, and for skin elasticity and hydration.

 

Type III Collagen

 

Type III, the second most abundant collagen in our bodies, is found in skin, muscles, and blood vessels. Type III is almost always found along with Type I. They form a spiderweb-like structure. This is more commonly found in areas like our gastrointestinal tract, lymphatic systems, and organs. It’s most often used with Type I for gut healing and to improve skin elasticity and hydration.

 

Is Grass-Fed Collagen Better?

 

By choosing grass-fed collagen, you can rest assured that you are providing your body with the cleanest and highest-quality collagen. Our grass-fed collagen may be better for you, as it’s:

 

  • Free from hormones and antibiotics
  • Sourced from grass-fed, healthy cattle
  • Is third-party tested and certified
  • Made from fully traceable, organic ingredients

 



Dawn Thorpe Jarvis, MSc

Dawn Thorpe Jarvis, MSc

Writer and expert

Dawn Thorpe Jarvis, MSc, is a Registered and Accredited Sports Dietitian with over 30 years’ experience as a nutritionist. She is Chief Dietitian to the Lawn Tennis Association, Lecturer for the Sports Nutrition Foundation, and Senior Director of Nutritional Science at Garden of Life.