Like many of you, I’ve been seeing collagen peptides all over my Instagram and blog feeds. At first, I thought this might be a quick fad but the more people used these products, the more they seemed to love them.
The journalist at heart that I think I am, I decided that I too wanted to take my own challenge for 6 weeks and see if I noticed any differences ingesting collagen.
So here I am, about to start this journey and I wanted to share with you why I am doing this:
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body that naturally occurs. It is vital for our body and an essential building block in our hair, skin, nails, bones and joints. Over time however it’s production in the body decreases which is why people are starting to take it in supplement form.
Collagen helps give our skin strength, suppleness, firmness, elasticity, as well as the constant renewal of skin cells. It’s also responsible for holding our hair, nails and joints together. When your collagen production decreases that’s when your hair and nails become brittle, more and more winkles begin to appear and joints start to get achey.
I am partnering with Vital Proteins for this experiment who make a variety of supplements containing collagen peptides from beef and fish sources. Ingesting collagen allows for better absorption than a topical treatment to reap all the benefits from the inside out.
Over the next 6 weeks, I’ll be using the Vital Proteins collagen peptides, collagen beauty greens, and collagen beauty water for my experiment.
What are the benefits?
I’m doing this because feeling and looking young is a priority of mine. Fans of collagen swear that it’s amazing for your hair, skin, nails, bones, tendons and cartilage.
I eat well and exercise but naturally our bodies decrease the production of collagen especially after the age of 30.
I have been obsessed with taking care of my skin since I was an adolescent starting to get acne. I recently noticed how many fine lines I have around my eyes (mainly after one Instagram user kept asking me why I had so many wrinkles.)
Oh the freedoms of being anonymous behind a computer.
I obviously haven’t noticed a difference yet because I literally just started this self imposed experiment. I’ve been showing the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in my morning Instagram stories and already people keep asking me for my opinion. I know you’re excited and so am I, but I want to take some time to see the results! I’ve heard that it takes anywhere from 2-3 weeks to really start noticing a difference.
Things I’m looking to notice include enhanced skin hydration, less wrinkles, improved skin elasticity and firmness. Most people however see initial changes in their nails and digestion.
The latest findings are promising and I like what I hear…
In one recent study, women who took a collagen supplement daily experienced a 20% reduction in wrinkle depth around their eyes after 8 weeks.
People with osteoarthritis say it has helped reduce achey joints, it’s even helped people with gut issues as well as aiding in digestion.
And lastly, I’m always on the lookout for easy ways to add high quality protein to my diet. Collagen is a great source of protein for any snack or meal, especially post workout since it is easily digested. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hides to ensure a natural, high quality, and sustainable source of collagen. One serving has 18 grams of protein.
What does it taste like and how do you use it?
Surprisingly, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are tasteless although they do have a vanilla flavor option. I love adding them to my coffee in the morning because they dissolve quick. They have no sugar added and are also gluten free.
You can also add it to your post workout breakfast smoothie or oatmeal easily. Vital Proteins makes single serving packets for those of us on the go.
BONUS: Studies show that eating a breakfast high in protein helps aid weight loss and maintain a healthy weight by controlling your appetite throughout the day which helps keep portions in check, cravings at bay and reduce mindless snacking. It’s nice to have options.
The Vital Proteins Beauty Water utilizes sustainably sourced Marine Collagen from fish and adds a subtle flavor to a glass of water while delivering a wallop of protein. It’s convenient and I love using it in the afternoon around 3pm when I usually want a cookie or something I don’t want to be craving. This one also contains probiotics and hyaluronic acid for glowing skin and beauty inside and out.
The products are gluten free, dairy free (besides their whey inclusive products), kosher, Whole30 approved, and Paleo. They also are natural with no preservatives or fillers.
Ok, so let’s get this started. I’ll be vlogging along the way as well as taking pictures. I am pretty excited to see the changes and am curious what other changes I should be looking for? Let me know your thoughts below 🙂
This post is sponsored by Vital Proteins. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This sounds really interesting! Have you come across anything in your research about using this when pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breast feeding?
I haven’t but of course on the package it says to consult your doctor as any supplement does as well. I believe it is fine to consume prior to getting pregnant even planning. I am not positive after… I am still nursing and using it but I also am going on my own judgement here and did not “consult with my doctor” insert nervous emoji here … but i’m not concerned.
Definitely going to be following along. I’m interested to see how effective they are!
I’ve been taking the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides daily in my breakfast smoothies for about 5 months now. I wanted to be really careful to not change too many variables in my diet/skincare routine except adding the collagen to my smoothies so that I could tell if they were working. I think I first noticed improvements on my skin, maybe my hair but still not sure about that, and only in the last month or so have I noticed that my nails are getting a little stronger and grow back quickly when I cut them for rock climbing. My nails have always been horribly brittle and it would take forever to grow them out, but they now grow back so nicely in a week to two weeks.
I’d be curious if you really start noticing improvements in 2-3 weeks, especially since it took me so long. One thing I’d love to know is how much you’re using everyday. I currently put one scoop in my smoothie (it claims to be tasteless but when I first started using this I put it in oatmeal and yogurt and it made me gag), and I think they recommend 1-2 scoops, so that could be why my results were a little delayed. Anyways I’m excited to read about your opinions!
I am excited to see what you think! I’ve been using Vital Proteins Collagen for about a month or two and of course it’s hard to know what’s really happening versus what you THINK is happening, but I really think it works! For one, my nails are WAY stronger than they’ve ever been before. I need to be more diligent about having it daily, I often forget, but I do think it works.
Hello -- Is it safe to take the Vital Proteins Collagen while nursing? I am guessing so, but just curious if you looked into this. I am currently nursing but wanted to give them a try also. Thanks
Hi Sarah! Would you share an update? I’d like to add one of these to my regimen, not sure which 🙂