All About Collagen
What Is Collagen and Why Everyone’s Talking About It
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for around 30% of total protein content. It’s often called the “glue” that holds everything together-found in our skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and even blood vessels.
As we age, our body naturally produces less collagen. The result? Wrinkles, joint pain, slower healing, and even digestive challenges. But what really is collagen, and why are more and more health experts calling it essential?
Collagen: A Quick Breakdown
Collagen is made up of amino acids, primarily:
• Glycine
• Proline
• Hydroxyproline
These amino acids help repair and build connective tissue, support skin elasticity, strengthen joints, and reinforce the lining of your gut.
For collagen production, your body also depends on nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and copper-so a nutrient-dense diet is key.
Why Modern Diets Are Collagen-Deficient
In the past, humans practiced nose-to-tail eating-consuming not just muscle meat but also organs, bones, and connective tissues. Today, we mostly eat lean cuts of meat and discard the parts richest in collagen.
As a result, we may be missing the balancing effect of glycine, which naturally offsets methionine (found in muscle meat). Some health experts believe this imbalance may contribute to:
• Accelerated aging
• Weaker joints and tendons
• Gut lining issues
• Reduced metabolic resilience
The Metabolic Angle
From a metabolic point of view, collagen is unique:
• It’s low in leucine, so it doesn’t spike insulin like some other proteins.
• It supports fat-burning and metabolic flexibility.
• It helps repair tissues often neglected by standard protein powders.
Some experts suggest collagen works best in addition to muscle meat-not as a replacement. It’s a “specialised” protein that nourishes your skin, joints, and connective tissue directly.
The Ancestral Nutrition Perspective
Proponents of animal-based diets and ancestral health principles, like us, argue that collagen is one of the most important and most forgotten parts of the human diet.
Our ancestors thrived on nose-to-tail parts of the animal, and modern health issues stem in part from cutting them out.
What About Skincare?
Topical collagen products are everywhere, but can collagen actually be absorbed through the skin? Not effectively.
Internal collagen-via diet or supplements has a more profound impact on:
• Skin hydration and elasticity
• Wrinkle reduction
• Hair and nail strength
Pairing collagen with vitamin C enhances absorption and production, making this combo a go-to for natural beauty from the inside out.
Collagen for Women Over 40: What You Need to Know
As women get older, especially into their 40s and beyond our bodies start changing in ways that are often unexpected. One of the lesser-known shifts is the decline in collagen production, which can quietly impact everything from joint health and skin elasticity to bone density and muscle recovery.
But collagen isn’t just a beauty supplement. For active women, especially those navigating perimenopause and post-menopause, it can be a game-changer if you know how to use it properly.
The Oestrogen-Collagen Connection
As Oestrogen levels drop with age, collagen production takes a hit. Estrogen plays a direct role in maintaining collagen integrity, which is why many women notice:
• Thinner, more fragile skin
• Joint aches
• Slower muscle repair
• More frequent injuries
This isn’t just about aesthetics-it’s about performance, resilience, and feeling good in your body as it evolves.
It’s Not Just Protein-It’s Targeted Support
While collagen is a protein, it’s not a complete one. It’s missing certain essential amino acids, so it shouldn’t replace your main protein sources. Think of collagen as targeted support-specifically for:
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Skin
• Bone matrix
• Gut lining
In the context of aging, hormonal shifts, and increased risk of injury or osteoporosis, collagen serves a very specific and powerful role.
Bone Health and Menopause
One area that’s getting more attention lately is collagen’s impact on bone remodeling. As women lose bone density after menopause, combining collagen with resistance training and nutrients like vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium can enhance bone strength from the inside out.
The takeaway? You don’t need to accept bone loss as inevitable-you can train and nourish your way through it.
Quality Matters
Not all collagen supplements are created equal. For best results, look for:
• Hydrolyzed collagen peptides (easier to absorb)
• Grass-fed or marine-sourced options
• No fillers, sweeteners, or unnecessary additives
Bonus's:
Collagen helps digestion
It contains glycine, an amino acid that supports stomach acid production-which your body needs to break down protein. As we get older, we naturally produce less stomach acid, making it harder to digest certain foods.
Collagen gives your system the support it needs to handle protein more easily and efficiently-no digestive enzymes supplement required.
Collagen promotes sleep quality
Collagen is great before bed because it supports overnight repair, improves sleep quality through glycine, and helps your body rebuild skin, joints, and muscles while you rest.
Our recommendations/collagen options:
- Take Collagen about 30 mins before going to sleep
- Consume home made bone broth
- Grass-fed Nose-to-tail Collagen - Lineage Provisions
- Beef Collagen Peptides
- Hunter & Gather Collagen
- Hunter & Gather Marine Collagen (risk of heavy metal contamination-high quality brands test this)
Final Thoughts
Collagen isn’t just a beauty trend. For women in midlife, it’s a strategic tool to support mobility, strength, skin health, and recovery.
If you’re training hard, navigating hormonal changes, or just want to age with more power and grace-collagen might be one of the simplest, most effective additions you can make.
Collagen isn’t just a buzzword-it’s a fundamental building block of your body. While modern diets have moved away from collagen-rich foods, going back to basics could be one of the most powerful steps you take for your health.
Collagen in Beef-short video:
Disclaimer: The information posted above is not all scientific. It is what we have heard, seen or experienced ourselves.
