Collagen Peptides
Collagen supplies glycine and proline for tendon, ligament and skin tissue. It is a poor muscle-building protein because it lacks meaningful leucine.
Effective dose
10–15 g per day, paired with around 50 mg of vitamin C.
Timing
30–60 minutes before training that loads the target tissue.
What it is
Hydrolysed collagen from bovine or marine sources, broken into short peptides for absorption.
How it works
Taken with vitamin C roughly an hour before loading the tendon, collagen peptides may increase collagen synthesis in connective tissue.
What the research shows
- Promising trials on joint pain, tendon health and skin elasticity.
- Clear evidence that collagen is inferior to whey for stimulating muscle protein synthesis.
Best for
Forms to look for
- Unflavored bovine peptides
- Marine collagen
- Collagen with added vitamin C
What to watch out for
Do not count collagen toward your muscle-building protein target — it is an incomplete protein.
Sourcing partners
Coming soonWe are onboarding a short list of vetted suppliers for collagen peptides, each with published certificates of analysis and third-party identity testing. Direct purchasing will open here once those partners are live.
FAQs
Can collagen replace my protein powder?
No. Use it alongside a complete protein, not instead of one.
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Educational information only, not medical advice. Talk to your physician or a registered dietitian before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, managing a health condition, or taking medication.