Why Collagen Supplementation Matters
Collagen has been accepted and thrown throughout the beauty industry, for it’s affect on skin. The reality, what it is sold as and how it is actually benefiting you are two separate things.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body — it holds together your skin, joints, bones, tendons, and muscles. But as we age, natural collagen production declines, leading to stiffer joints, wrinkles, and slower recovery. That’s where high-quality collagen supplements come in.
What it is:
Collagen supplements (often hydrolyzed collagen peptides) provide your body with the building blocks to support connective tissue health and repair.
💡 Why it matters (science-backed):
Joint Health & Injury Recovery: Collagen peptides help improve joint function, reduce pain, and speed recovery from tendon and ligament injuries (Khatri et al., 2021).
Muscle Recovery & Strength: When combined with resistance training, collagen improves muscle mass and performance more than training alone (Gołda et al., 2024).
Skin Health: Hydrolyzed and marine collagen improve skin elasticity, hydration, and reduce visible aging (Siemiątkowski et al., 2024).
Bone Density & Connective Tissue Support: Supplementation may help maintain bone strength and reduce risk of degenerative joint diseases (Kościołek et al., 2024).
Like Most Supplements- Timing Matters
Because of it’s influential benefit to the recovery process, joint health, tendon strength, injury repair, and long-term mobility with age or increase in training volume, we naturally produce less of it. You can think it as both a protection and new-build assister.
The best timing for supplementing is in the evening. Collagen synthesis primarily happens at night- especially with deep, high-quality sleep triggering the cascade of tissue repair, growth hormone release, and the production of new collagen.
Although, as I always like to remind people, if you’re body is in need of strong collagen sources (i.e. plant-based diets, aging, or high-training volume), taking it when you can is better than not at all.
As much as I believe in a food-first mindset, there are great benefits to supplementing with high quality resources. I like a variety of brands, but appreciate companies that source their collagen from the highest quality animal resources. Here are some key things to think about when shopping for your next bottle of collagen.
Smart Shopper: why sourcing matters
Hydrolyzed Collagen / Collagen Peptides
This form is broken down for easier digestion and higher absorption.
Sometimes labeled as “bioactive collagen peptides.”
Type of Collagen
Type I → best for skin, hair, nails, bones.
Type II → best for joint + cartilage support.
Type III → supports skin elasticity and blood vessels.
Blends can cover multiple needs.
Source Transparency
Marine collagen (from fish) → smaller peptides, rapid absorption.
Bovine collagen (from grass-fed cows) → rich in Type I & III.
Chicken sternum collagen → often high in Type II.
Look for sustainably sourced, grass-fed, wild-caught labeling.
Third-Party Testing & Certifications
“NSF Certified,” “Informed Sport,” or “USP Verified” ensure safety and purity.
Avoid hidden fillers, artificial flavors, or heavy metals.
As I like to say- it ensures everything they say is in it and more importantly-no surprises.
Added Support Nutrients
Vitamin C → crucial for collagen synthesis.
Hyaluronic Acid → boosts skin + joint hydration.
Zinc & Copper → support connective tissue formation.
Shauna’s Favorites:
Momentous Collagen Peptides
**Transparent ingredients with NSF and pair their collagen with Vitamin C to maximize absorption and collagen synthesis.
15% off discount code at checkout: unifyhealth
MULTI-SOURCE COLLAGEN (FIND COMPANY)
