Today, collagen products have taken over grocery store endcaps, health food store shelves, and even the ads on our social media pages. I’m not surprised— I have been using collagen for years and have noticed the fantastic health benefits personally. With so many collagen products to choose from today, it has never been more important to be selective about which collagen brand you choose.
I am so excited to tell you about my absolute favorite brand of collagen, Further Food—the one I use and recommend to all my clients—but first, let’s talk about what collagen is and what it can do for your body.
Collagen: The basics
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies! Present in skin, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and even our gut—collagen is the “glue” our bodies use to make connective tissue. It is also a complex protein containing many amino acids, with the most abundant being proline, hydroxyproline, and glycine. Two of these—proline and glycine—are essential, meaning they must be consumed through diet, as our bodies cannot make them on their own.
Benefits of collagen
Our bodies are efficient at producing collagen on their own—for a while. However, as we age, this production slows down (starting in our 20s). By age 60, we produce about half as much collagen as we did in our 20s. This reduction plays a significant factor in sagging skin, wrinkles, joint pain and stiffness, thin hair, and weaker bones. The great news is this: supplementing with collagen can help replenish our stores and even reverse the damage caused by a lack of collagen production. I have been taking collagen for years because I truly notice the difference it makes on my skin, hair, nails, and beyond. Here are some additional benefits that can be seen by supplementing with collagen:
Weight maintenance or weight loss
Collagen powder is 40% more filling than soy, casein, or whey protein powders. What’s more, supplementing with collagen has been shown to suppress appetite and decrease sugar cravings. Hallelujah!
Improved GI health
Due to its high levels of glutamine, collagen can aid in healing leaky gut and the management of IBS. Additionally, collagen peptides in the GI tract aid in the breakdown and movement of food throughout our systems. Thus, regular supplementation can help manage unpleasant symptoms that arise due to indigestion, such as heartburn, bloating, gas, and beyond.
Stronger bones and increased joint mobility
Collagen supplementation can help stimulate new bone cell growth and aid in the prevention of fractures by increasing bone mineral density. This is especially important for us women over the age of 60. 😉
Improved athletic performance
Through its ability to strengthen the connective tissue of joints, muscles, and ligaments, collagen can help with both athletic recovery and the prevention of injuries. Since it can also help replenish muscle proteins that are broken down during intense exercise, collagen can speed up recovery time, too.
The Best Collagen Brand and Why I Trust Them
Supplementing collagen can do amazing things for your body—just like it has for mine. The truth is, however—not all collagen products are created equal. Some have an unpleasant taste or gum-like texture, while others contain artificial preservatives and other processed junk. It is essential to find a trustworthy, high-quality brand with these factors in mind. That’s why I opt for Further Food Collagen and have done so for years.
Further Food Collagen contains real food ingredients (no artificial anything) and is sugar-free and sustainable. The best part? They’re a brand I can trust health-wise without compromising taste, texture, or flavor options. They have a large selection to choose from, including vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, matcha, and unflavored. Plus, Further Foods is super unique because some of the collagen products contain nutrient-dense mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, and more for added benefits. Further Foods is the only premium collagen brand that incorporates adaptogenic mushrooms for enhanced mood, memory support, and an energy boost. They even have on-the-go packets that I love when I am in a rush or traveling. I personally recommend their Chocolate Collagen Peptides Plus Reishi Mushroom. Reishi is a powerful medicinal mushroom known to reduce inflammation and chronic fatigue, as well as tumor growth and cancer. I like adding it to my smoothies and even baking with it. And the Hazelnut Collagen is absolutely delicious. Many of my clients love adding it to their coffee in the morning.
You can use my discount code ELISSA for 15% off your first purchase for new customers! (Excludes already discounted value bundles).
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In addition to the incredible collagen line, Further Food is a great resource when it comes to wellness. Right now, they’re offering their 10-Day Sugar Detox Challenge for free! I’m so excited to once again be an expert for this year’s Further Food’s 10-Day Sugar Detox Challenge. The challenge includes a meal plan with recipes, a shopping list and meal prep guide; daily tips and videos from the expert team; and access to hundreds of quick and delicious sugar-free recipes! Best of all? Further Food is offering FREE access to the challenge E-book until January 15th! Get yours HERE.
