I looked down at my nails and they were definitely longer than ever. Stronger too. My hair is silky smooth and longer than it’s ever been. I’d like to thank collagen for this. You might have heard of the brand Vital Proteins. They make a bunch of products but their collagen peptides are probably their top rated item. They are headquartered in Chicago and they are my favorite brand! They give back to the Primo Center for Women and Children.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. Our bodies become less efficient at producing collagen after the age of 25. Our bodies cannot synthesize enough collagen on their own once breakdown begins. Today’s diets contain minimal collagen due to the processing of foods. Your bones, ligaments, skin, hair, nails, organs, and tendons are all made of collagen. Our bodies need collagen to nourish those parts of our body. Each serving has about 20 grams of protein. Some of the benefits include strengthening your joints, ligaments and tendons and improving your gut health, hair, skin and nails. I’d recommend consuming about one serving, once or twice a day, to see the best results.

Kurt Seidensticker, the founder of Vital Proteins, was an avid runner. He was out for a jog one day and realized he couldn’t go as far as he usually galavanted. His knees began to bother him. He started adding collagen into his diet to help in repairing his knees. Collagen is great for increased athletic performance, balancing hormones, and getting a deeper sleep. It improves skin’s moisture and its elasticity and tone.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hides from Brazil and New Zealand (for their collagen peptides in the light blue container) and wild-caught, non-GMO Red Snapper off the coast of Hawaii (for their marine collagen in the turquoise container). They are not vegan. Vital Proteins does make Spirulina and Beauty Boost, which are vegan. These products offer natural ingredients that help boost the body’s production of collagen but they do not contain collagen.

The biggest difference between collagen protein and any other type of protein comes from the building blocks of protein, the amino acids. There are higher levels of arginine, glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline in collagen. Collagen peptides dissolve in hot or cold liquids. They are flavorless. This makes it easy to add them into your diet. Put collagen peptides in your coffee, tea, smoothies, energy balls, lattes, oatmeal, sauces, desserts, gravy, or soup. They’re gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, Whole30 Approved, and paleo friendly.

Keep your collagen in a dark, cool area away from moisture. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.*