Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is often referred to as the 'glue' that holds our skin, bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments together. As we age, our bodies produce less and lower-quality collagen. This is where collagen supplements come in, which are said to provide benefits such as improved skin, hair, and nail health, reduced inflammation, and better gut and bone health.
Collagen is a pure bovine (cow) protein and can come in two forms: gelatin and hydrolyzed (also known as peptides). Collagen peptides are the most easily absorbed by the body and are keto-friendly if they do not contain added sugar and are consumed in the recommended dosage of between 5-15 grams per day.
Collagen supplements can be a great addition to a keto diet, which tends to be moderate in protein. However, it's important to note that excessive protein intake can prevent the body from entering ketosis, as the body can create glucose from protein.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
What is collagen? | A supplement, like fish oil, B12, or omega-3. |
What is collagen made of? | Amino acids such as glycine and proline. |
What is collagen's function? | Holds the body together and gives it strength and integrity. |
What percentage of skin is collagen? | 70%. |
What percentage of muscle mass is collagen? | 1-10%. |
What is the keto diet? | A high-fat, low-carb diet. |
What is ketosis? | The state in which the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy, producing ketones in the process. |
Is collagen keto-friendly? | Yes, but only if it does not contain added sugar and if the recommended dosage is followed. |
What is the recommended collagen dosage? | Between 5-15 grams per day. |
What are the benefits of collagen? | Repairs bones and joints, helps reduce inflammation, keeps gut lining healthy, prevents heartburn and ulcers, fills in fine lines, wrinkles, and cellulite, strengthens hair, skin, and nails, hydrates skin. |
How much collagen should be taken on keto? | 60-75 grams of protein daily, with up to 20 grams coming from collagen supplements. |
How do you use collagen on keto? | Add to coffee, tea, water, keto brownies, sauce for chicken, or chilli. |
What You'll Learn
Collagen is a supplement that can be added to drinks or food
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and has many important functions. It is formed of amino acids (such as glycine and proline) which are the building blocks of protein. Collagen is essential to the functioning of your body, particularly your connective tissue, skin, gut, joints, bones, and muscles.
Collagen is often referred to as the 'glue' that holds all these things together. The word collagen is derived from the Greek word 'kólla', which means glue.
Collagen supplements are a great addition to your keto diet. People on a keto diet can increase their protein intake by consuming collagen peptides. Although protein makes up a good proportion of your diet, fat intake is a greater proportion, so always eat your protein as well as your fat.
Collagen peptides are keto-friendly, but only if they do not contain added sugar and if you take the recommended collagen dosage, which is between 5-15 grams per day.
The most common way to take collagen is by drinking it. You can add it to coffee, tea, water, etc., as long as your beverage is not ice-cold (collagen dissolves best in room-temperature and warmer liquids). You can also add it to anything you eat. For example, you can add it to keto brownies, a sauce for chicken, or a chilli.
Collagen has many benefits, including:
- Repairing bones and joints (making you less susceptible to injury, which is great for athletes)
- Helping to reduce inflammation (especially helpful if you have arthritis)
- Keeping the gut lining healthy (reduces the chances of getting sick)
- Preventing heartburn and ulcers (by regulating digestion)
- Filling in fine lines, wrinkles, and cellulite (you get wrinkles when you lose collagen)
- Strengthening hair, skin, and nails
- Hydrating the skin (more than a cream or serum because it gets to the dermal layer)
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Collagen is a protein, but too much can disrupt ketosis
Collagen is a protein that is essential to the functioning of the body. It is formed of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, and is found in the connective tissue, skin, gut, joints, bones, and muscles. It is also found in other body parts, such as corneas, teeth, and blood vessels.
Collagen is often referred to as the 'glue' that holds all these things together. The word collagen is derived from the Greek word 'kólla', which means glue.
Collagen is a supplement that can be added to your keto diet in powder form. It can be mixed into soups, smoothies, or baked goods without sacrificing texture. It can also be added to coffee, tea, or water, as long as the beverage is not ice-cold.
Collagen has many benefits for the body, including:
- Improving skin health and reversing skin ageing
- Keeping nails strong
- Preventing hair loss
- Promoting muscle growth and recovery
- Ensuring optimal joints, tendons, and ligament health
- Strengthening bones
- Promoting overall tissue repair
- Keeping eyes healthy
- Promoting gut health
- Improving liver health
- Ensuring heart health
- Improving sleep quality
- Helping with type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders
- Supporting brain health
However, collagen is a protein, and consuming too much of it will cause your body to go from a fat-burning state to a glucose-burning state, which can disrupt ketosis. Therefore, it is recommended to limit your collagen supplement dosage to between 5-15 grams per day. Additionally, you can add healthy fats to your collagen drink, such as coconut oil, grass-fed butter, or ghee butter, to ensure you stay in ketosis.
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Collagen is beneficial for skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is a key component in bones, skin, muscles, and other body parts. Collagen is beneficial for skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Skin, Hair and Nails
Collagen is a major component of the skin and plays a role in strengthening it, as well as improving elasticity and hydration. As the body ages, it produces less collagen, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles. Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity in older people. They might also help reduce wrinkles.
Collagen is rich in amino acids that the body needs to build keratin, the protein that makes up hair. It may also help fight damage to hair follicles caused by free radicals. Collagen may also prevent hair thinning associated with ageing. It makes up 70% of the dermis, the middle layer of the skin that contains the root of each individual hair.
Collagen may also help nails grow faster and become stronger.
Joints, Bones, Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments
Collagen is important for healthy joints and skin elasticity or stretchiness. It is also in your bones, muscles and blood, making up three-quarters of your skin and one-third of the protein in your body. It provides the body with strength, structure and support.
Collagen is a key component in bones and helps prevent bone loss. As the body ages, collagen deteriorates and bone mass decreases, which may lead to conditions such as osteoporosis. Collagen supplements may help inhibit the bone breakdown that leads to osteoporosis.
Collagen is also beneficial for joint health. As the body ages, the amount of collagen in the body decreases, increasing the risk of joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. Collagen supplements may help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce overall joint pain.
Collagen is also an important component of skeletal muscle. It may help boost muscle mass.
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Collagen can be sourced from bovine, marine or egg
Collagen is a protein that can be sourced from bovine, marine, or egg. Collagen is found in numerous animals, and it serves as one of the major building blocks in skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and blood vessels.
Bovine collagen is derived from cows, and it is associated with several health benefits, including arthritis relief, improved skin health, and bone loss prevention. To make bovine collagen, cow bones or other cattle byproducts are boiled in water, and then dried and powdered to form a supplement. Bovine collagen has been found to increase types I and III collagen in the body, which are the types of collagen that make up the skin.
Marine collagen is a relatively new source of collagen that has been found to boost types I and II collagen in the body. Marine collagen may improve cartilage and skin health, and some studies suggest that it carries a lower risk of transmitting diseases, has fewer inflammatory effects, and has a higher absorption rate than bovine collagen. Marine collagen can be obtained from several sources, including fish, jellyfish, and marine sponges.
Collagen can also be sourced from eggs, specifically from egg whites, which have a high amount of proline. Proline is one of the amino acids necessary for collagen production in the body.
While collagen is a protein that can be sourced from bovine, marine, or egg, it is important to note that consuming too much protein can cause the body to revert from a fat-burning state to a glucose-burning state, which can be counterproductive for those following a ketogenic diet.
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Collagen can be purchased in powder form
There are many brands that sell collagen powder, including Vital Proteins, Live Conscious, Sports Research, and Ancient Nutrition. When purchasing collagen powder, it is important to look for bovine collagen that is sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised cows. It is also important to ensure that the product does not contain any unnecessary fillers or artificial sweeteners, colours, or flavours.
Collagen powder is a convenient and healthy way to supplement your keto diet with additional protein. It is a pure bovine (cow) protein that is highly absorbed by the body, making it a beneficial addition to your daily routine.
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Frequently asked questions
The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that aims to increase fat burning and promote weight loss. The body is forced to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, which are limited in this diet.
Collagen is a protein, and while it has many benefits for keto dieters, consuming too much can cause the body to switch from a fat-burning to a glucose-burning state. However, collagen supplements with no added sugar and taken in recommended doses (5-15 grams per day) are keto-friendly.
The amount of protein in a typical serving of collagen peptides is unlikely to kick you out of ketosis. Adding healthy fats to your collagen drink, such as coconut oil or grass-fed butter, can further ensure you stay in ketosis.
Collagen has numerous benefits, including improving skin health, reducing wrinkles, hydrating skin, strengthening hair and nails, repairing bones and joints, reducing inflammation, and supporting gut health. It also contributes to increased muscle mass and helps prevent bone loss.
Collagen supplements typically come in powder form and can easily be added to drinks like coffee or smoothies, or incorporated into baked goods and savoury dishes without affecting texture. Collagen peptides are the most absorbable form of collagen.