Back in the 1990s, I worked in New York with nutritionist Oz Garcia. Oz was very cutting-edge with nutritional supplement recommendations, and we had an entire dispensary filled with all kinds of high-end brands of designer vitamins, exotic nootropics from Europe, and injectables like glutathione and alphalipoic acid. Top-of-the line stuff.
And right there on the shelf alongside these superstar supplements was a big carton of plain old Knox gelatin.
That’s right, gelatin. Like the stuff they make Jell-O from. And it was on the shelf with all the superstars because—at the time—it was one of the most powerful natural treatments we had for joint health.
The reason we used gelatin for joints was that it’s a precursor to something our joints absolutely need—collagen.
And in those days, we were taught that you couldn’t really take collagen supplements because they weren’t well digested, so an envelope of gelatin seemed like the only option.
That was then, this is now
The notion that you couldn’t digest and absorb oral collagen supplements has long since been buried on the garbage dump of wrong nutritional theories, and collagen supplements have now become, as they say, a thing.
So what’s the deal? What’s the difference between gelatin and collagen? And what’s the difference between collagen supplements for the skin and collagen supplements for the joints? And what’s up with collagen protein powder? Glad you asked.
Collagen & Gelatin
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Better Nutrition.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Better Nutrition.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Strike A Healing Chord
Soothe your mind, body, and spirit with three simple sound therapy techniques for self-care.
Laura's Gourmet Granola
If you’re tired of granola that’s more candy than health food, chef and entrepreneur Laura Briscoe’s offerings are just what you’ve been looking for.
News Bites
Caffeine, Peanuts, CoQ10, and Iron Deficiency.
The Overlooked Keys to a Healthy Gallbladder
Keep your bile thin and free-flowing by focusing on supportive foods, supplements, and physical activity.
Go Nutty This Year
This über-healthy alternative to traditional lattes features homemadewalnut “mylk,” along with antioxidant-rich green tea and berries.
The Three Stages of Infection
What you need before, during and after an illness, and why you need different fixes for each stage.
Taming the Flames
How to beat back chronic inflammation and protect yourself from related disease.
Deconstructing the Flexitarian Diet
How being a part-time vegan can make you healthier.
Brain Regain
How one senior used a leptin-focused diet (high-fat, no carbs) to recover from a cognitive injury, reconnect with his family, and reclaim his health.
Healthy Aging— Head To Toe
Science-backed supplements to protect all your parts.