What's Better? Collagen or Whey Protein

We’re told to ‘eat enough protein’ and we’re told about ALL the different protein supplements out there, so it should be super easy…right?

Well, in our opinion, the diet culture and big supplement companies make it pretty darn confusing with all of the conflicting information, so we want to help you understand more clearly!

In this article, we will cover how much protein we actually need, what populations may need a bit more protein than others, and a few of our favorite ways to easily add in beneficial protein sources!  

So how much protein do we actually need? 

Protein is amacronutrient, meaning we need a large amount of it.  It is extremely important to our body, which we can dive deeper into another day, butmost individuals should be consuming about 20-30% of their daily calories from protein.  

I know many worry about high-protein diets being bad for our kidneys, or cancer-causing, but these are urban myths.  Studies have shown that protein intakes up to 35% of calories (or even higher) are safe for people without pre-existing kidney issues (source) - especially if you get enough glycine into your diet (more on this later).  

There are also a few groups of individuals who benefit from a higher protein diet (~30% of calories):

What Protein Should I Be Eating?

Don’t get us wrong, we are all about real food first, but we also know that life can be crazy and sometimes supplements are just easier.  

You may want to utilize a protein powder (or a couple) if you are struggling to get in enough protein with real food, especially if you are always on-the-go or training intensely. But which protein powder is right for you?  

Well, there are a lot of different options out there... A LOT.  But, the good news is we produce two of the best options - whey protein and collagen protein; however, they are definitely not the same!  Both provide different nutrients that our bodyneeds, so let’s break down the differences.  

WHEY PROTEIN 

• Complete Amino Acid Profile -Whey protein has a total amino acid profile and makes it easy for our bodies to use, unlike plant based protein sources which cannot provide a full amino profile. 

• Less Dairy in Isolate -It is an isolate of milk, which means it doesn’t contain the components of dairy that bother most people (casein or lactose).  

• Improves Sleep -It also contains bioactive milk peptides (BMPs) that can improve sleep and reduce stress (source). 

• Post-Workout Help -It is a great post-workout protein source that is easy on-the-go and is easily digestible. Workouts are a stressor on the body so you want to ensure your post workout protein does not add more stress after a tough workout! 

Regardless of the minimal dairy, many whey protein can cause bloating and upset stomach for some individuals, which is why we have specially formulated our 100% Whey Isolate CLEAN Protein that includes:

• Astragin - Reduces intestinal inflammation by up to 73% and increases levels of protein absorption. 
• Aminogen - Patented blend of digestive enzymes designed to improve protein digestion and soothe the gut.  
• Lactase Enzymes - Added to help with any lactose intolerance issues.  
• Naturally Sweetened and Flavored, unlike the majority of proteins that are filled with preservatives and artificial sweeteners. 

COLLAGEN PROTEIN

• Not ideal for Post-Workout -Collagen contains some amino acids, but is not ideal for post-workout like whey protein is, which contains a full profile of amino acids.  
• Different from Whey -Collagen does provide something that whey does not, which is higher levels of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline all of which you need to make your own collagen (i.e. enjoying better, tighter, younger-looking skin and happy joints). 
• It’s tough to get from diet -Unless you’re consuming a ton of bone broth or organ means, you’re likely not getting enough glycine or proline, which collagen can provide!  
• Gut Health -Thanks to the amino acids collagen supplies, your gut integrity and digestive strength improves by enhancing gastric acid secretion and restoring the lining of the gut (source).  It also absorbs water and helps keep fluid in the digestive tract, promoting good intestinal transit and healthy bowel movements (source).  
• Improves Sleep/Stress - Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it can decrease anxiety and promote mental calmness to help you sleep better and improve stress levels (source).
• Very versatile! Collagen dissolves very easily, unlike whey, which makes it great for all kinds of recipes, drinks, smoothies, and more!
   

As you can see, both whey and collagen have extreme benefits, and they are by no means interchangeable!  So if you’re looking for luxurious locks, strong skin and nails, and healthy joints - then collagen may be your best bet.  Although if you’re working out, want to recover properly and maintain muscle mass, or need an easy meal replacement on-the-go, then whey protein is your answer! 

Or who knows...maybe you want both :)