Vitamins and Supplements, Natural Health Products, Organic Foods

What is the Best Collagen Supplement for Joint Health?

Collagen is a vital protein that has been sparking a lot of conversation in the wellness community. Over the last few years, more and more people are turning to collagen supplements for help with joint health, skin regimens and fitness routines. With so many formats and types to choose from, trying to figure out which one will work best for you can be overwhelming.

If you’re looking for the best collagen for joint health, you’ve come to the right place.

How Can Collagen Help My Joints?

Collagen makes up 1/3 of the protein in the human body making it the most abundant protein we have. Found in muscles, skin, cartilage and more, this macronutrient is essential for many bodily functions and structures. However, our ability to produce collagen slows as we age, which can cause wear and tear on our joints and cartilage over time.

When you add collagen supplements to your daily wellness routine, you can promote comfort and support for your cartilage, joints, bones and more. Supplementing collagen into your wellness routine may promote cartilage production and potentially encourage accumulation of it within cartilage as well.

But are all collagen supplements equal?

The short answer—no. If you’re looking specifically for joint health benefits, you’ll want to consider three important factors.

1. Collagen type

2. Collagen source

3. Collagen format

What is the Best Collagen Type for Joint Care?

There are roughly 16 types of collagen out there, but only three are the most common within the human body. Types 1, 2 and 3 are the ones that you’ll want to look for when it comes to your wellness routines with collagen type 2 being the best for joint health.

• What is Type 2 Collagen? This type of collagen serves as an essential component of cartilage and helps it maintain its structure and elasticity. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber and lubricator so bones can move without causing friction against each other. When you add collagen to your wellness routine, you can support joint health and comfort by helping protect cartilage integrity as you age.

• What About Collagen Types 1 & 3? These two types can also be helpful in wellness routines, especially when they’re paired together. Both are responsible for supporting bone health, but not a top go-to for cartilage and joint support.

• What is Type 1 Collagen? Type 1 is predominantly used to support healthy hair, skin, nails and bones. Type 1 collagen provides structural support for your bones, connective tissue and more since the fibers that make up this type are so strong and densely packed.

• What is Type 3 Collagen? Found in skin and muscles, this type promotes skin elasticity and hydration. Collagen type 3 can also provide structural support for blood vessels and arteries and can be found in bovine-sourced supplements.

What is Collagen Made Of?

Collagen can come from many sources, some of the most common being bovine, marine and chicken collagen. The best collagen source specifically for cartilage or joint health is chicken, but marine and bovine collagen sources can also be helpful.

Benefits of Chicken Collagen

Chicken collagen contains type 2 collagen which is the best for promoting joint health. If your wellness goals are specifically geared towards supporting joint function and comfort, reach for chicken-sourced collagen either in supplements or bone broth.

Benefits of Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen is made up of collagen types 1 and 3 for supporting overall health and exercise recovery. This source can be used for skin health as well as a comprehensive support for total-body wellness, but chicken is a better choice for healthy joint and cartilage goals.

Benefits of Marine Collagen

Marine collagen contains type 1 and sometimes type 2 collagen and provides higher bioavailability. Because of their smaller size, marine peptides are more readily absorbed and utilized by the body. If you’re looking for both skin and joint benefits in your collagen supplement, this source would be a good fit for you.

What is Hydrolyzed Collagen?

Hydrolyzed collagen is basically a cooked form of collagen that is broken down so that it’s more easily absorbed. If you’re wondering how this differs from collagen peptides, they’re the same product so watch for either of these terms when you’re looking for higher bioavailability.

Which Format Fits Your Lifestyle Best?

What makes collagen so popular and fun is how versatile it is when it comes to formats. With so many options available, it’s super simple to include this protein in your daily wellness routine in a way you can enjoy.

If you’re the “set it and forget it” type of person, you’ll love collagen pills or capsules. Just take the recommended dose and carry on with the rest of your day.

But if you’re looking to enjoy collagen in your daily diet, you might prefer adding a collagen powder to your water maybe even trying a collagen coffee creamer instead of sugary sweeteners. For joint health in particular, bone broth is an easy and delicious way to add some comfort to both your joints and your evening.

You can also find topical options like collagen creams or salves that you can use to help soothe joints on the spot. These are fairly common for folks looking for specifically joint support and can usually be used as needed throughout the day.

With so many benefits and options to customize collagen to meet your lifestyle and wellness goals, it’s easy to see why so many people love it.

One of the hottest trending forms of collagen is liquid collagen. The hype with this format is that it is made up of highly absorbable collagen peptides that mix easily in water and go wherever you do. Between the convenience and efficiency, it’s no wonder liquid collagen is making waves in the wellness world.

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Garden of Life - Collagen