In February, I wrote a post about Vital Proteins Collagen and my experience with them. At the time, I was not an ambassador. Vital Proteins sent me samples to try, and I liked them so much I continued to buy them.
As I mentioned on Instagram on Friday, I was invited to become a Vital Proteins Ambassador. I’ve already been using Vital Proteins for months now, and I find I genuinely recover faster and feel better than if I don’t. Usually, I have one serving twice a day. Before becoming an ambassador, I purchased the Vital Proteins dark chocolate and blackberry peptides which is my current favorite!
Keep in mind these statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. Vital Proteins products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
As part of my partnership with Vital Proteins, I’ll write a couple of posts per month about different benefits or recipes I’m using. I’m not being paid to do so, but I do receive products. Thinking out loud, since I use the products already, it’s a good fit for me.
So What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the connective tissue in the body. Since it’s a structure protein, it’s an essential component of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Vital Proteins Collagen also contains essential amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. It’s the building blocks of almost everything in our body.
Collagen was best explained to me as the glue and connective tissue that holds everything together. Our bodies already produce collagen from amino acids, but it is beneficial to supplement.
What Makes Collagen Peptides Different?
Vital Protein Collagen Peptides have the added benefit of providing 18 g of collagen protein. I’ve personally found my body recovers much better when I have protein after a run or workout. Plus by using collagen products, and collagen protein powders, I’ve found many beauty benefits with hair, nails and skin.
How Can Collagen Powders Help Running Performance?
Since this is a “running focused” blog, the first post will focus on running and working out. New research shows collagen can help decrease joint pain that is often associated with high impact exercise.
Long-term strenuous exercise like running leads to collagen degradation in the body. We naturally lose collagen as we age but running and other high impact sports can quicken this. It’s not an overnight occurrence and the degradation of collagen is a slow process. It usually takes years. Like a stress fracture, it takes time and isn’t an issue that just ‘pops up”. That is why anyone running for years may have the same collagen issues.
Collagens Promotes a Healthy Response to Natural Inflammation:
Running stresses your body, which causes inflammation. Taking Collagen or any protein directly after a workout helps to promote inflammation and speed up the repair of connective tissues that are damaged. When recovering, collagen helps to promote the “good” inflammation. I personally do feel and recover better on days I do have collagen within 30 minutes of working out.
Promoting Joint Health:
In the running world, it’s not uncommon to hear runners and athletes talk about “bone on bone.” This means they’ve lost the cartilage in their knees. Losing all of the cartilage in your knees is from years of wear and tear on your body and joints.
How does Collagen Help Joints?
- Increases lubrication around joints to make more mobile
- Helps to increase bone density (A BIG ONE FOR RUNNERS!)
- Reduces inflammation around joints and improves healing of connective tissues
Throughout the upcoming months, I’ll be sharing more about my experience with Vital Proteins collagen I’ve personally had including benefits in my skin, nails, and hair. I’ll also share recipes I have been using and my favorite products. There aren’t any side effects from taking “too much collagen”.
I am so excited to be an ambassador for Vital Proteins because I stand behind each of their products and company.
Questions for you:
Do you take any supplements?
Have you ever tried a collagen supplement?
I do use collagen, although mine is a different brand (just haven’t tried this particular one). Both Clay and I are pretty athletic and we feel like it helps recovery. If nothing else, it gives me some extra protein content in my day, which is good since the only meats I eat are seafood. I’ve heard it is great for your joints and I’d rather be proactive and take it now so that I can hopefully run for years to come; I do think it’s one of the more effective supplements on the market for runners and athletes.
I’ve heard about taking collagen before. I haven’t tried it yet. I might have to down the line. It does sound helpful!
I like Vital Proteins too! I initially started taking it to help my nails and hair but kept with it for the bone benefits as well as all the protein. Right now I use the unflavored collagen to mix into a coffee or smoothie 🙂
Have you noticed a difference in your hair and skin Lauren?
I have never heard of this before, but I would love to try it! Love that it is powder so I can mix it with my drinks!
That is what I’ve been doing the most of!
Such a useful information. Taking collagen is becoming quite popular and I hear a lot about it but never tried. Going to check the Vital Proteins website, thanks!
My joints are wrecked from all the high volume weight training & gymnastics I do. This supplement really does sound great and seems like it would help with quicker recovery.
I can imagine. Gymnastics is such a tough but incredible sport.
This sounds like an interesting supplement, I have to admit I don’t take any myself but I think I need to rethink that idea and perhaps start getting some.
This is a very informative post on collagen protein. Than you for sharing your insight and review!
This sounds like something I need. My knees hurt and I have week nails and I’m obsessed with how my hair looks. I have to try it.
I always find my nails to be much weaker after getting them painted. This has helped with that.
You gave me a lot to think about
I used to take whey protein when I was working out. I haven’t been working out the last year or so, I just take the multivitamins. Recently, I noticed that my joints crack a lot, it’s definitely a good idea for me to further investigate the benefit of collagen protein.
It could definitely help. What kind of multivitamins do you take?
Oh wow thank you for such an extensive look at collagen protein. I keep hearing some really amazing benefits of collagen. Definitely want to check it out for myself.
It looks like I read about collagen somewhere– maybe some company’s reviews. But I didn’t have a clear idea till I read yours. It is so good that you have written it very honestly.
I have heard a little bit about this but not too much, your post was very informative. Thank you!
I’ve heard of this before but haven’t tried it yet. will have a look into this brand. Thanks
Oh my gosh I need to look into this apparently. I had no idea it was so helpful. Thanks so much for sharing!!
as a triathlete myself, I really should include collagen into my workouts but sad to say, I never have.
I don’t really take any supplements neither I have ever tried a collagen supplement. Start taking collagen supplement sounds like a good idea!
Such great info! I love vital proteins. It’s my go-to collagen.
I am literally having a smoothie right now with my 1st scoop of collagen! I’ve heard great things and look forward to seeing if I can notice any difference after taking this supplement for a while. X, Rawnie
That is awesome! What is your favorite type of collagen?
I’ve been taking collagen for a little over 6 months now and honestly, the only difference I’ve seen is that my nails grow like crazy and I’m not as bloated throughout the day. Unfortunately, I have not seen a difference in my skin or hair (which was the main reason I started using it!) or in my joints. I’m kind of hoping that the longer I take it, the more benefits I will feel/see. Or maybe I need to give the Vital Proteins brand a try!
I’ve found my nails and hair grow like crazy too. I haven’t tried another brand, so I don’t have anything to compare it too! let me know if you do try it Megan, because I’m definetely curious.
When I was looking for ingredients for my smoothie in Whole Foods, this girl came to me and told me to try collagen powder. I said, I’d have to check it out! But I forgot and this reminded me of that, now that you’ve helped me check it out–I think I want it now! Thanks for sharing. 🙂