Starting a Healthy Routine

By now, you’ve probably heard all about the benefits of collagen and why collagen supplements have become so popular for supporting skin, joints, hair, gut health, and overall wellness. Great! But one question comes up again and again: is collagen powder better than liquid collagen?Which form is absorbed best, and which one delivers the most benefits? Let’s break it down. A Look at the Most Popular Forms of Collagen Supplements Collagen Powder Collagen powder is the most common and widely used form of collagen supplements. In fact, collagen exists in powder form before being dissolved into liquids.  Most collagen powders are made from hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which means the large collagen proteins are broken down into smaller peptides for easier digestion and absorption.  TIP: Always look for hydrolyzed collagen peptides powder when choosing a collagen supplement. If you’re not sure where to start, an unflavoured option that blends easily (like Enhanced Collagen Original) can be a simple, no-fuss pick for everyday use.  The majority of scientific studies on collagen benefits have used collagen powder, which is why it is considered the most researched and well-supported format.  How to use: Mix into water, coffee, smoothies, soups, baked goods, or foods of choice.  Best for: Anyone who enjoys customizing how they take their collagen.  Liquid Collagen Liquid collagen supplements are essentially collagen powder that has already been dissolved into a drink, often with added natural flavours or functional ingredients.  Because of this, liquid collagen typically contains less collagen per serving compared to collagen powder. To reach the same collagen dosage, you may need to consume a larger volume of liquid—though for many people, the tradeoff is that it’s quick, easy, and requires zero prep. If you like the ready-to-take format but still want something that feels purposeful, a liquid option like Liquid Enhanced Collagen or Liquid Marine Collagen can be a convenient way to keep collagen support consistent, especially on busy days.  Traditionally, most liquid options were made from marine collagen, but there are now both marine and bovine-based liquid collagen supplements available.  How to use: Drink as directed, either as a full serving or by tablespoon depending on the product.  Best for: Those who prefer convenience and ready-to-drink collagen. Collagen Capsules Collagen capsules simply contain powdered collagen, meaning they offer the same benefits as collagen powder—just in a convenient pill format. If you like the simplicity of a grab-and-go routine, something like BioCell Collagen Capsules can be an easy option to keep on hand for consistent daily support.  How to use: Take as directed with water.  Best for: People who prefer capsules over mixing powders into drinks or food. Your Collagen Questions Answered Which form is better absorbed, powder or liquid? All high-quality collagen supplements should be hydrolyzed, meaning the proteins are broken down for easy digestion and absorption. Since liquid collagen is just powdered collagen dissolved in liquid, both powder and liquid collagen are equally absorbable. The improved absorption comes from the hydrolyzation process, not from whether the collagen is taken in powder or liquid form. Are there added ingredients in one form versus another? Liquid collagen often includes added ingredients such as natural flavours or complementary nutrients. There are also collagen blends in powder form that combine collagen with other supplements for convenience. These blended formulas simply provide additional functional support alongside collagen. Which collagen format is most effective? Research shows that collagen supplements are effective, and most studies use collagen powder. Some liquid-only collagen brands claim higher bioavailability, but there is currently no scientific evidence showing that liquid collagen is absorbed better than powder. Again, it is the hydrolyzed collagen peptides that improve absorption, regardless of format. How much collagen do I get from powder versus liquid? Collagen powder typically contains significantly more collagen per serving than liquid collagen. For example: • 1 tablespoon of collagen powder may provide around 5 grams of collagen• 1 tablespoon of liquid collagen may provide around 1.5 grams of collagen This means you would need to consume much more liquid collagen to match the collagen intake of powder. With collagen powder, most people use 1 to 2 scoops per day. With liquid collagen, you may need multiple servings throughout the day to reach similar collagen levels. What Do the Experts Say? Many naturopaths and nutrition professionals agree that while liquid supplements in general may be absorbed slightly faster, collagen is not a quick-fix supplement like cold medicine. Because collagen works over time and is more potent in powder form, collagen powder is often preferred for long-term use. Nutritionists also point out that since both powder and liquid collagen come from the same hydrolyzed collagen source, both are bioavailable and absorbed well in the gut. Ultimately, both formats work in the same way. What Really Matters The best form of collagen is the one that fits your lifestyle. Collagen powder offers higher collagen content per serving and versatility, while liquid collagen provides convenience. More important than the format is: • The quality of the collagen• Whether it is hydrolyzed• The source of the collagen (marine or bovine) Choosing a high-quality collagen supplement will have a far greater impact than choosing between powder, liquid, or capsules. Learn more about collagen types here. REFERENCES: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33742704/ de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Dec;60(12):1449-1461. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31411379/ Jhawar N, Wang JV, Saedi N. Oral collagen supplementation for skin aging: A fad or the future? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Apr;19(4):910-912.

I often refer to myself as a ‘needy sleeper’. As in, I don't think I’ve ever in my life just spontaneously fallen asleep while sitting on a chair, I don't sleep in planes, trains or automobiles, and I’ve don’t ever dozed off while watching a movie. I’d rather just turn off the tv, and go to bed. Why? Because I need to be *key word* horizontal, on a nice comfy bed, with the temperature not too warm but not too cold. Are you understanding the ‘needy sleeper’ thing now? This unfortunately doesn’t translate to being a ‘good’ sleeper. I usually wake up in the middle of the night a few times (hello cortisol levels), and each night, I enviously listen to my partner drift off to lalaland while I struggle to come to terms with the fact that I probably sent one too many exclamations marks in an email earlier that day. Ugh! Falling asleep is sometimes a challenge, and so is staying asleep. This is even more the case nowadays, during COVID, because of the lack of mental stimulation and connection throughout the day - our minds tend to run wild at night.     Recently I’ve been on a mission to improve my sleep quality. Sleep is one of the main pillars of health and is monumentally important for us to feel and function optimally. I’ve incorporated a few well researched supplements, and other tips and tricks to help improve my sleep. Here are 10 simple things you can start doing to help improve you sleep: 💤 Melatonin: a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. It is very well researched for initiating and regulating sleep. The primary use of melatonin is to normalize abnormal sleep patterns by helping to decrease the time it takes to fall asleep. The benefits of melatonin are not dose-dependent; meaning, taking more will not help you fall asleep fast.   💤 GABA: a neurotransmitter that regulates many of the depressive and sedative actions in brain tissue and is critical for relaxation. GABA’s primary function as a supplement is to improve sleep. 💤 Magnesium Glycinate: this form of magnesium is binded to the amino acid glycine, which has been successfully researched to improve sleep quality.  💤 Blue light blockers: blue wavelength light from screens tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime, which inhibits the production of melatonin. Some studies suggest that blue light blocking glasses may increase melatonin production in the evening, improving sleep.  💤 Dim the lights and opt for candles instead. Light suppresses our melatonin production. The more we can limit light, the better. 💤 Trade in the scrolling for page flipping. Start setting boundaries with your phone and laptop and try to keep both out of the bedroom as much as possible. Reach for a book instead.  💤 Pour yourself a cuppa herbal tea. Chamomile, lemon balm, valerian root or passion flower are all well researched herbs that help us relax.  💤 Wash your face earlier in the evening. I like to do it right after dinner. I feel much more ready for bed and it also ensures that I’m never too tired to wash my face! 💤 Get some new pillows! Invest in some better quality pillows and linens and get excited about getting into bed. 💤 Speaking of beds - they should only be used for sleeping (or sex). Your bed should be a sacred space, not a place to work or be on your phone. Setting these boundaries will help condition your brain to know that being in bed means that it is ready to fall asleep. Enhance Your Bedtime Routine Enhance your bedtime routine with Enhanced Collagen™ Sleep, formulated with GABA and melatonin to support deeper, more restful sleep with the added benefits of collagen! GABA: Gamma-Aminobutyric acid is a major neurotransmitter that regulates much of our brain function. It inhibits neural activity, reducing mental and physical stress, promoting relaxation and sleep quality and length, proving effective in treating insomnia and other sleep disorders. MELATONIN: Melatonin is a hormone made by the brain, helping to regulate circadian rhythm and promoting the onset of sleep. Melatonin supplementation helps those who struggle with sleep due to jet-lag or shift work, helping to reset the sleep-wake cycle and promote deeper, longer sleep. Shop New Enhanced Collagen Sleep

With so much information out there and different types of Collagen on the market, what is the ideal way and time to take it? How much do you need to take and how long until you notice the health benefits? First, Collagen is so very versatile! That is one of its fantastic traits. You can take collagen any time of the day for its benefits. Organika’s Enhanced Collagen is flavourless and odourless, so it is so effortless to add into your daily routine! Here are a few of our favourite ways to take & use Collagen. Best times of day to take collagen First thing in the AM in your morning coffee! Collagen contains protein, so this is an excellent way for you to start your morning and keep you feeling full. One hour before exercise!  Collagen contains over 17 different amino acids, which are essential for muscle repair, recovery, and growth!  Also, protein is an excellent source of long-lasting energy. Collagen is the fastest absorbing form of protein we can uptake in the body and won't leave you feeling sluggish during those workouts. Night Time Tea:  I love to have a tablespoon Of Organika’s Enhanced Collagen Relax in a cup of tea in the evenings. Due to its high glycine content, collagen can help you feel relaxed and rested. It also promotes a healthy and restful sleep. How many times can I take collagen in a day? Personally, I like to take up to 6 tablespoons a day. This works out to 3 servings of protein a day (17 grams- per 2 ). I find that this helps keep my protein uptake adequate. It also ensures I am getting the maximum benefits for my health needs. Ideally, you don’t want to take much more than that (especially in one serving ) as your body won't absorb it and will utilize it for energy. You can’t "overdo" collagen; however, it won't be beneficial to your body if you exceed more then 2-3 tablespoons a serving as your body can't absorb that much in one serving. Ideally, for the various benefits, I take and recommend up to 6 tablespoons a day.    When is the best time to take collagen for you?