Is Collagen Worth It and What Kind Should I Take?

I've been wanting to do a deep dive on collagen for years! When it first gained popularity in the health and wellness space, lots of doctors were saying it's just hype and doesn't really help anything. So finally on to what I've been wondering for years, is collagen worth it? Fortunately, there has been much more research coming out and now most experts agree that collagen may indeed have a place in your supplement arsenal.

The Research on Collagen for Skin

To give you an example of conclusions from some of the latest research, the authors of this 2023 study said, “Collagen and its derived peptides are indispensable in photoaging skin, holding promising prospects for applications in skin aging.” And this one also from 2023 is an example of the benefits to joint health, “Many animal and clinical trials showed that oral administration of undenatured type II collagen could significantly reduce the incidence of OA or alleviate the symptoms of articular cartilage.” A simple search for collagen supplementation brings up 208 studies in just the last year. While I did not do a full literature review, (hello grad school day memories) I did briefly skim several of the recent studies and all showed positive results in the areas of skin, joints and tendon health.

I got a lot of great insight into the healing power of collagen back when I interviewed Sheri and Gina, founders of Yonder. Both of them had incredible journeys of healing, in which they discovered the power of collagen.

Since learning more about their story and becoming a fan of their ultra-clean brand, I look to them as an additional source of reliable information. That's why when I recently heard an incredulous claim on social media, I had to reach out to them for clarification. After all, it's now their job to be knowledgeable on all things collagen and to help debunk false information.

Is Collagen Worth It?

The specific claim made by the influencer was that the bovine collagen peptides (BCP) found in most supplements consists of large amino acids, which is false. This statement was made in an effort to promote BioCell collagen as being superior.

While BioCell does have six patents, they are all related to the preparation of the type II collagen and at least one of the patents even states the dosage should be between 2-3,000 milligrams per day. Interestingly, the products in question feature a proprietary blend, so there is no way to know if you’re getting a therapeutic dose. In addition, only two clinical trials are listed on the BioCell website and I could only find a handful of studies on PubMed.

In contrast, bovine collagen peptides are the most widely studied form of collagen supplement, with over 1,000 studies on PubMed. Bovine collagen supports hair, skin, nail, joint health, and general non-muscle, soft tissue repair and is the type of collagen featured in most commercial supplements.

“Hydrolyzed collagen is pre-digested, reduced to shorter peptide chains to enhance digestion, absorption, and assimilation. The body then uses these peptides to reform collagen as needed. The body determines where the collagen is most needed and converts it into the necessary ‘type.' Therefore, obsessing over the specific types of collagen in any source misses the point. The natural design of the body ensures it makes the right decision. Hence, there are numerous positive studies on Bovine Collagen Peptides (BCP) being effective for joint health as well.”

Quoted by Sheri Geoffreys, Founder of Yonder, and her team of industry-leading product development experts

How to Choose a Collagen Supplement

If you've heard my other content, you'll know that when evaluating any supplement, one of the most important things you can do is ensure that what you're taking has the highest quality, most pure ingredients you can find. That's why I always recommend looking for the Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) seal as well as third-party testing. I had a close friend who got arsenic poisoning from using shady supplements, so these are certifications you need to always check before purchasing with a new company.  

Yonder manufactures their collagen in a FDA & cGMP certified facility that undergoes rigorous third-party audits for compliance with U.S. standards. Each stage of production is meticulously tested for purity, potency, and cleanliness in a controlled environment. Their collagen products, proudly made in the USA, are USDA Organic [QAI-verified] and produced under FDA cGMP [NSF and UL verified] standards to ensure they meet specifications and are safe for consumption.

So is collagen worth it? Personally I've seen enough to be convinced and it has a permanent place in my cabinet.