I’ve been a big fan of gelatin since our family went on the GAPS diet and it helped my son be able to tolerate dairy again. I’ve also seen huge benefits with my skin, hair, and nails since I started incorporating more gelatin and collagen into my diet.
What Is Collagen?
In short, collagen is an insoluble protein that accounts for 1/3 of the protein in our bodies and 70% of the protein in our skin. Many people are familiar with its role in the skin, which is why it is in so many beauty products. What many people don’t realize is collagen is so much more than just a beauty remedy. (More on that later.)
The collagen molecule is a complex protein made up of over 1,000 amino acids, the main ones being proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline (in a unique triple helix configuration of three polypeptide subunits. (Sorry, science nerd moment!)
But what does this mean on a practical level?
Why We Need Collagen
It means collagen is incredibly strong. In fact, type I collagen (a type found in the human body) is stronger than steel gram for gram. It is fundamental to healthy cell reproduction, joints, connective tissue, and more.
The particular amino acids in collagen and gelatin are said to be especially beneficial in the body for:
- supporting hair, skin and nails
- for joint health
- to encourage skin elasticity and reduce the signs of aging
- improving digestion
- as a protein source
The important thing to know is that these amino acids come from bones and cartilege (usually from cows) and are not present in muscle meats. As we trade traditional cooking methods like making homemade bone broth for modern convenience, we are getting less and less collagen and gelatin in our diets.
More in a bit on how to make up the gap, but first:
How to Boost Collagen Protein (From the Inside Out)
Here’s the thing. All of those beauty products that contain collagen won’t do much for your skin. This is because collagen molecules are too big to be absorbed through the skin. That doesn’t mean collagen isn’t really beneficial though… just that we have to get it from the inside out.
So how to get it? There are a few ways:
Natural Sources of Gelatin
Collagen (and gelatin, its cooked counterpart) is naturally found in high quality broth and in cuts of meat that contain skin or bone. If you’ve ever made bone broth and had it “gel” when it cooled, this is due to the collagen naturally present in the bones and connective tissue, which becomes gelatin when cooked.
There are also gelatin powders like this that contain 6 grams of protein per tablespoon and are relatively odorless and tasteless. This makes them easy to mix into warm drinks or recipes for an extra boost of quality protein,
Natural Sources of Collagen
Collagen has many of the same properties as gelatin and is the form actually found in the body. When we lack collagen due to diet or aging, we need a way to get it from the inside out.
Collagen and gelatin aren’t interchangeable, but they both do have their advantages. Some people, especially those with severe digestive issues, won’t handle pure gelatin protein well until they address their digestive problems. Bone broth is a great option in this case, but another good option is collagen peptides (another name for hydrolyzed collagen/collagen hydrolysate), which is essentially a cold-water soluble and more easily digestible form of gelatin.
Because of the unique way hydrolyzed collagen is prepared, it has higher amounts of the amino acids that support healthy cell growth and reproduction especially in connective tissues, hair, skin tissue, cartilage, ligaments and so on. It also absorbs more quickly due to a lower molecular rate.
How to Use Collagen Hydrolysate and Gelatin Powders
My absolute favorite source of gelatin and collagen is homemade bone broth (or a high quality grass-fed bone broth like this one), but it isn’t always possible to have access to homemade broth.
As much as I love broth, there are also times (like a scorching August) when a cup of hot broth is not very appealing, so I prefer a different option instead.
Gelatin powder and collagen powder are great options that we use often instead of broth.
Gelatin Powder Uses
Gelatin is great not only due to its benefits but because of its ability to “gel” in recipes. It works really well in jellos, marshmallows, and other recipes for this reason.We use gelatin for making a lot of different gut-healthy recipes like:
This is the grass-fed gelatin that we use.
The one downside to gelatin powder… it only mixes into warm/hot liquids and clumps up in cold drinks because of its ability to gel. Enter collagen!
Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder Uses
Collagen powder won’t gel like regular gelatin, but it dissolves easily both in cold drinks (like smoothies) and hot drinks. I use it almost daily for protein and healthy fats added to:
Bonus: It’s not only good for you but adds a delicious creaminess and froth! We use collagen from both Bulletproof as well as Vital Proteins. While the majority of collagen comes from bovine, there is marine collagen for anyone that needs the sourcing to come from fish or other marine life.
What We Do
We still drink bone broth regularly (either homemade or this brand). I also still use regular grass-fed gelatin in anything we need to “gel.” I’ve found that everyone in our family seems to digest the collagen hydrolysate/peptides form more easily, so now we use that most of the time for a quick boost of protein.
I’m curious- have you ever tried gelatin or collagen hydrolysate? How did it work for you? Share below!
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
6 Favorite Practical Homeschool Resources (My Kids Love)
»
I was always a fan of “gelatin” products – even when in high school (over 40-some years ago) but then somebody told me gelatin was made from horse tail or something like that! I didn’t read anywhere above what it actually “is” – did I miss it?
Thanks, Rhonda
It’s connective tissue, basically. Hope that does not gross anyone out!
This link now got me wondering…I just started a can of Great Lakes collagen hydrolysate. I was definitely under the impression that it was just a different way of ingesting the gelatin obtained from bones – not from hides! I’m now wondering based on other things I’ve heard if this is really as effective as bone broth.
I know it is connective tissue essentially, but if the benefits come more from joints and knuckles (like when making our own bone broth), is the benefit of collagen hydrolysate the same? Great Lakes says their product is derived from skin/hides? I wasn’t expecting that so now I’m researching – or is it a different benefit taking collagen hydrolysate vs bone broth? My husband needs joint repair – I don’t – I just like seeing the effects.
I would like to try the collagen but afraid since it is an animal product. I stopped ALL animal protein and sugar 6 months ago and my fibromylgia is all but gone, if I “cheat” then the pain and fatigue return. I hate to try the collagen due to the expense. Any other collagen available? Fibro sufferers try this amazing elimination and see if it works. I know it does as all symptoms return when I try the least amount of animal product.
Some natural food stores sell the individual serving sizes of the collagen or gelatin, so you could try those, if available in your area. Or perhaps a friend with access to one of those stores can mail a few individual serving packets to you.
My 11 year old daughter has very brittle finger nails. They have always been brittle. They split, peel and tear all the time. Would this gelatin product help her? How much per day should I stir into her drinks?
I really enjoy your site and have learned a great deal. I first heard about you and your site on the Thyroid Summit. Thank you!
how do I make bone broth? Thanks, Susan
Here’s my recipe: https://wellnessmama.com/5888/bone-broth/
I was wondering which of the two Great Lakes products would be best for skin, hair and nails if you do not have digestive issues. and how much should be consumed to see results?
Thank you for recommending this product! I love your site. I am almost finished with the first bottle I bought after reading about it on your site. I think it really does help my skin and nails. I just ordered 2 more green bottles – I drink it in my coffee.
any side effects if taking coumadin and colllagen hydrolsate
I experienced a side effect, but have to mention first thatI need very little of any type of exogenous substance to affect m,e as my body seems to react more than others. After taking Great Lakes collagen joint care 10 days in juice every morning, my neck became more stable which was great because my ligaments were lax due to degeneration. But then my entire body started to become stiff. I have never had pain anywhere and tell people since I am 62 that my diet consisting of vegetables and fruits gives me plenty of minerals so I don’t have pain. This collagen caused me to start to become very unusually stiff and have pain everywhere I ever had an injury. I only took one teaspoon every day in juice for 10 days and then stopped when I started to get stiff. I would say that a person should start out very slowly with this since we all react differently. I am sorry I did not because the stiffness and pain is a drag. It is slowly abetting and I am hoping it eventually leaves so I can get back to my limber self again!
Be nice if there was some feedback here
I started a Specific Carb Diet to relieve intestinal problems that were ongoing for 30 days. The intent was to stop the diarrhea and then add one new food item ea day to see is I am wheat sensitive or what? I ate boiled chicken, drank the broth, ate jello made with purple grape juice and gelatin (green cannister) and ate some grass fed beef. I believe the jello or gelatin collagen gave me migraines. I had been without migraines for 2 weeks and now having them 2 x per day. What is the MSG connection that was mentioned above. That would be the likely culprit.
Interesting. I have tried collagen twice. The bottle said take it on an empty stomach, which I did. Within an hour I was nauseous and got a visual migraine headache, which I never get. This was so disappointing as I was looking forward to the great results people speak of.
It’s the enzymes used to break down the collagen. Gave my sister migraines. She can’t have any enzymes. Papain, bromelain, etc.
Thanks, Katie for summarizing so well what I tell my clients about the benefit of gelatin in bone broth. Also, thanks for exploring the difference between the two major types of gelatin supplements. I’d like to excerpt your material in one of my blog posts and then point them to this blog entry. Is that OK with you?
Quotes are always fine with attribution 🙂
Hi!
Thanks so much for this post! Do you know that taking this and also doing the OCM is a good enough anti-aging regiment or is there more that should be done? (other than diet changes – unfortunately that never lasts long!)
Also is there a pill version?
Thanks!
This and oil cleansing are the only “anti-aging” thing I do and they have worked great!
Can you provide link to your COM or oil cleansing recipe/regimen and routine as referenced here and what it has done for you? Also in trying to find some info on how to give college peptides (we take same brand in bulletproof coffee every morning) to our 10 month old baby as thought read that can give to them or in natural baby formula. He is breastfed currently.Thanks gor such fantastic content.
Here is a link to my post about oil cleansing: https://wellnessmama.com/7569/oil-cleansing-method/
I have been oil cleansing for more than a year since I was introduced to your website. I LOVE it! My skin is normal to oily and our winter climate is very dry. I have actually seen a reduction in wrinkles around my eyes. Wouldn’t wash my face any other way!
What’s is OCM? And oil cleansing?
This => https://wellnessmama.com/7569/oil-cleansing-method/
Do you know of any vegetarian substances/foods that would give the same health benefits? I know that you mentioned in another post that you tried vegetarianism for a little while and I’d be really interested to hear why it wasn’t for you and what you feel the drawbacks are.
Also, can’t wait for your essential oil diffuser review! Thanks! 🙂
Would also like to know this! I have Crohn’s, an auto immune condition as well as leaky gut. I need to repair the linings of the intestinal walls and heard collagen really helps this process. I have been vegetarian for 28 years. Any substitute from egg shell or something like it?
I am also vegetarian and would really like to try something similar. I have always worked outdoors, travelled a lot and I have pale dry skin, and now at 26 I’ve already got a lot of fine lines. I’d really like to find something to help
Unfortunately, I don’t know of any vegetarian products that work in the same way or that are a source of the same amino acids…
Vital protein brand is coming out with or will be with a vegetarian option.
I am vegetarian as well. Unfortunately, there is no vegetarian source of collagen. However, your body does make its own collagen, and there are supplements that are veg. and can help aid your body in producing it on its own.
Do you consume fish? Vital proteins has a marine collagen.
I tried gelatin after reading about the benefits on your site. I feel as if it makes me feel very tired and “funny” after taking it. Is there a condition in which it is hard to digest gelatin or certain proteins or amino acids? Any help would be great!
Some people with digestive problems do have trouble with regular gelatin but can do ok with bone broth or collagen.
So the green can would be better for me to try? It may be better tolerated with the same benefits? thanks
There was a review by an MSG-sensitive person who was unable to tolerate the collagen stuff. Her mom loves it, though.
Would you please explain the MSG connection?
I have tried the green can several times and always end up doubled over with painful stomach cramps for 24 hours! I don’t have any known digestive problems and consume a wide variety of fermented / probiotic foods all made at home, organic. I can’t find any info about these extreme side effects online…
I am also having trouble with the hydro collagen, Great Lakes brand, which is the ‘best’ brand according to everything I could find. I tend to have diarrhea, and this gives me severe diarrhea and a mild headache.
At the same time, I can tell some parts of my body like it, too. My energy is good, my mind is pretty clear and calm.
I’m wondering if
1. I’m using too much
2. If this is a healing reaction and then my body will adjust to it
3. I don’t think I’m allergic to grass-fed beef…
Does anyone have thoughts or suggestions?
And does anyone have a blood test recommendation of a place that thoroughly tests for food allergies? I am already wheat, cow dairy, egg, msg and sugar free. I’m suspecting pork, legumes.
It always draws a red flag for me when someone says they avoid dairy, pork and they may have issues with beef too. I had lors of food issues for years that myself or doctors could not figure out. Went to a special allergist who skin testd me in the arm and I was allergic to 11/20 things. Beef pork and milk being 3 turns out I have the Alpha Gal mammalian meat allergy. An immune reaction from a tic bite. It usually produces a 3-6 hour delayed allergic reaction. Although sometimes my reactions come on faster. Anywhere’s from GI symptoms to Anaphylactic reactions. Not realizing I had this allergy I ate these things for years completely messing my system up. I am spreading information since not many people have heard of it.
one clove of crushed garlic in warm water on an empty stomach and wait half hour before eating. you might have stomach cramps for first few days but persist with it and your digestion should improve as it eliminates the bad bacteria
I”m experiencing this as well….I’m going to take a break from it. I have been using it for about 6 weeks. They days I don’t, I have been drinking bone broth. I’m hoping that the collagen is the cause of this. I play golf on the weekends. and can’t hit the bathroom like this!
My mother gets this if she consumes anything even cooked or mixed with any pork product. Make sure you are not allergic to any animal and the source of the gelatin (i.e. All beef Kosher powder) I can’t eat turkey.
I just started using the all beef Kosher power in water and after the first dose in water I was able to get up and walk on a bad knee and hip that kept me non weight-bearing the past 3 weeks and all my pain and inflammation from Fibromyalgia stopped within 2 hours. I am trying to take it in water at least 3 times a day. It also calmed down my tummy which has always bothered me. I also don’t seem super thirsty all the time. Before the more I drank water the more I peed but was still thirsty.
You know now that I read this I was thinking about that too I feel tired and driving and I thought this would bring me up and give me more go go go go but I am feeling too tired so what is it is there something that’s not agreeing with my body or what the question question question to this too please give me an answer thanks
I cut back to just a little scoop in my morning coffee and I’ve felt great ever since. ?
Did you have tummy troubles? Is that why you cut back Dee? If so how much do you use? Teaspoon?
I just started with collagen peptide powder two days ago an I’ve been tired TWO days. Did you find anything about this?
Hi, I was wondering if you’ve done any research on Great Lakes gelatin products that you recommend. It does not look like it is organic. Grass-fed does not equal organic, nor does it mean that the animals were not treated with antibiotics or hormones. If Great Lakes has a good product, why don’t they seek certification or state something like “Non-GMO, “from animals not treated with antibiotics”, etc. on their products? I share your view on gelatin’s importance in our diet, just want to find the best possible product out there.. Thanks!
Hi!
Their product is non-GMO, antibiotic and pesticide free, as well as free range. The beef gelatin is made from beef grazed in Argentina. Their pork version is from pigs raised in Iowa and Canada and they try their best to keep them GMO free. In the next several months they will be changing their labeling to reflect the above labels. I know this as I interviewed them personally.
Thank you, Christine! I just bought my first two canisters of gelatin and collagen hydrolysate and was a little nervous about the quality. This stuff isn’t cheap, but Great Lakes seems to offer the most reasonable prices (or, at least, what I can afford). Anyway, I’m just now starting more thorough research and was hoping someone could absolutely clarify this without my having to contact the company directly.
Cheers!
Mary
Hi Mary,
I decided to call the company again since the label has not changed. I was now told that at this point, new labels are not coming out. Here is a link for FAQ: https://greatlakesgelatin.com/pages/faqs. It does not specifically address the certified organic labeling. Hope this helps.
This link now got me wondering…I just started a can of Great Lakes collagen hydrolysate. I was definitely under the impression that it was just a different way of ingesting the gelatin obtained from bones – not from hides! I’m now wondering based on other things I’ve heard if this is really as effective as bone broth.
Is anyone concerned about the mad cow thing? Typically my meat is American. Seeing as these cows are Argentinian… I just worry.
FYI: Argentina has a HUGE agriculture of GMO crops!!!!! I would NOT use beef from there!!!
Argentina gets the GMO products ( seeds from Monsanto) from USA, that means that the meat and grains are not different from USA. I am Argentinean, I know what Iam talking about. The few organic farms there are exports their products to Europa.
In USA , you can’t have a 100 % organic farm, because all the land is already contaminated with glifosato ( herbicide for GMO seeds) that other farmers used in their lands… Same problem in Argentina. Personally I trust more in products coming from Europa.
It seems both Great Lakes and the Vital brand collegen, is extracted from the hides.