With the rising popularity of collagen supplementation comes the question: what is collagen made of?
The collagen used to make supplements comes from four main sources–cow (bovine), chicken, pig (porcine), and fish (marine).
Until recently, eating all parts of the animal, including nutrient-rich organ meat and connective tissue was common across many cultures. These days, however, people mostly eat just muscle meat, and unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot of nutrition in muscle meat alone. That’s one of the reasons people are so crazy about collagen supplements; collagen contains important amino acids you won't find in muscle meat.
The health and diet of the animal is extremely important. Animals fed a natural diet and allowed to graze on pastures or swim freely in the ocean are healthier than confined factory farmed animals. In turn, their collagen is stronger and produces a cleaner and more effective supplement.
What is collagen powder made of?
As discussed above, hydrolyzed collagen supplements (a.k.a. collagen peptides) are commonly sold as a powder. And a high quality collagen powder supplement should contain hydrolyzed collagen and that’s it.
How to Choose the Best Collagen Peptides
Regardless of where you purchase your collagen peptides, here are some best practices to consider:
- Check the amino acid profile. Always check the label for the top three amino acids that make up collagen: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
- Choose brands that are transparent about their product’s entire amino acid profile, meaning every amino acid will be listed on the label.
- Opt for the best quality. Always choose collagen produced from certified grass-fed cows or sustainably sourced (non-GMO, wild caught) fish.
- Avoid additives. Don’t accept any added flavours, dyes, or preservatives. Remember, this is going in your body, and you want it as pure and natural as possible!
At Perfotek, our Collagen Peptides are unflavoured and made from 100% grass-fed happy cows. Nothing added, so you get the best results possible.
Are collagen peptides a part of your everyday wellness routine? We’d love to hear how you use them in the comments below!