Collagen vs. Protein Powder

What’s the difference? Which one do I need?

The word collagen and protein do go together, but there is sometimes confusion around if they are the same thing.

They are indeed different. They both cannot be consumed for the same reason; they serve different purposes.

Let’s dive in...

Collagen vs. Protein Powder

Although collagen is a protein, it is not a complete protein.

That means collagen does not have all the nine essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Protein powders serve the purpose of being consumed as part of your daily protein intake; therefore, it is a complete protein.

Collagen serves a specific function, hence it contains specific amino acids, such as glycine and proline.

What does that mean?

It means, collagen isn’t consumed for the same purpose as protein powder.

It is taken specifically as a function/benefit to replenish the lost collagen in the body. Whereas protein powder counts towards your daily macronutrients.

Both are important.

Why Use Collagen Powder

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body, in fact, there are multiple types of collagen.

It is a structural protein that allows your skin to have elasticity, muscles to have buoyancy, joints and connective tissues to have flexibility, hair to have strength. However, as you age the amount of collagen your body produces and has decreases.

That is why collagen supplementation is key.

You cannot get enough amino acids to make more collagen from the conventional ways of eating protein. This is because collagen resides in ligaments, skin, bones, cartilage, and tendons... which are not consumed regularly. Also, it’s unlikely that you will consume enough glycine, for example, for your body to synthesize new collagen on its own.

When to use collagen or protein powder

If you are looking to increase your protein intake, build muscle mass, you may want to add protein powders into smoothies or recipes to help you reach your macronutrient goals.

However, if you are not in that boat, you may not need to supplement with all the amino acids to rebuild new muscle. If you want to improve your joints, muscle recovery, hair, skin, and nails... then collagen is your best bet.

With a protein powder, you get all amino acids to reach protein needs.

With collagen, you are supplementing what you've lost so that you can improve and enhance your longevity and feel good from the inside out.

And yes... you can use both. Just be sure to manage how much protein you are taking in one day to not exceed your daily maximums.

For more questions on your nutritional needs, please contact us at care@organika.com and we would be happy to guide your or put you in touch with an RHN.