You are what you eat, as the saying goes.
Some foods are ‘overtly healthy’ —you don’t question whether spinach, brown rice and eggs are good for you.
But what about the stuff that’s not so obvious, like sweet-looking strawberries that may be laden with pesticides?
Go one step further—have you thought about the food that your food eats, like genetically modified corn used liberally in cattle feedlots?
For most people, eating a strictly organic diet isn’t feasible most of the time due to price and availability.
Thankfully, there are options for limiting your exposure to unhealthy substances that can sneak their way into your healthy lifestyle… including your favorite collagen powder.
Just as the dirty dozen of produce is known to have the highest amount of pesticide residue, there are a few ugly truths related to collagen supplements that you should know about.
If you’re a fan of collagen (oh, it’s only the most abundant protein in your body!) and quality matters to you, then you’ll appreciate how these little known details can help you make a confident buying decision.
Cows eat grass, not grain
If you don’t already know, the collagen protein found in powders and capsules comes from animals, where it’s highly concentrated, supplying a rich source of amino acids, the building blocks of connective tissue and cartilage.
Bovine-sourced collagen is one of the most common ingredients used in collagen powders… just don’t assume they’re all the same.
Like you, cattle have quality standards, too, for what to eat and where to graze. They’re foragers that, if allowed to roam naturally, will choose natural grasses and plants to overly processed feed from a cold, metal trough.
A grass fed, pasture raised cow is one happy and healthy animal that yields higher nutritional value than their conventionally raised counterparts. Plus, they’re less likely to harbor dangerous superbugs.
In fact, animal science researchers at Clemson University reported that a steer’s health, growth, weight and fatty acid profile is highly sensitive to its diet.
However, an alarming number of collagen products are made from feedlot cattle raised on unnatural diets consisting of grains, such as corn—a substance cows are not equipped to metabolize.
Grass-fed cattle offers meat with a higher ratio of healthy fatty acids including omega-3s and CLAs, plus antioxidants like vitamins A and E. Try finding those benefits in conventional protein!
Chemicals and other undesirables
Lying between the cattle farm and your kitchen, there are dozens of steps you don’t much see, hear or read about. Equally as important as the raw ingredient itself is the manner in which it’s processed.
That’s because taste, color and dissolvability may be at stake if hidden additives lurk inside. The sad reality is that many collagen powders contain unnecessary binders, colors and sweeteners that can mar the quality and purity of what should be a good-for-your-health experience.
But that’s not all. The very process of hydrolyzing—or breaking up protein molecules into peptide building blocks used to help form new collagen—can be questionable.
Collagen peptides are highly digestible and easy for the body to absorb and use, because they’re “predigested”.
But some collagen manufacturers use chemicals to extract protein peptides, which begs the question: Are the benefits worth it?
Why enzymes are better
Making strides in food science and technology doesn’t have to mean increasing your exposure to chemicals. Such is the belief at Zammex Nutrition, where natural enzymes are preferred to chemicals for extracting amino acid molecules small enough for usability.
Your body uses enzymes to digest food and break it down into nutrients it can use to support vital functions. In a similar fashion, enzymes may be used to break down protein into usable parts.
Our most popular collagen powder is made using ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS… meaning that we use enzymes to deconstruct collagen protein into basic building blocks that support your skin, joints, bones and gut health.
Plus, these amino acids aid in synthesizing new protein to help keep your collagen factory humming.
But there’s more to our Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides than enzymes… the collagen comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised sources that provide amino acids you can only get from dietary sources.
We take this step because it offers us more control over quality, but most importantly, because it’s right.
Trust and quality don’t stop there. To fit how you live, our collagen powder is keto and paleo-friendly, free of dairy and gluten, and is Kosher and Halal certified.
You don’t have to take our word for it, though…
Amazon shows 738 verified customer reviews, 79% 5-star rating, and loyal enthusiasts who don’t hold back on their sharing their opinions about Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides:
“I did research on peptides and this product seemed to be the best value. I have started my third month and I am seeing and feeling the results come into play.”
“Great value for this product. Dissolves completely, without any texture/taste change in beverages.”
“…I’m just getting ready to order another container…”
If you want to age gracefully and beautifully—but don’t want to spend a fortune on the leading brand collagen protein, then try what many people are calling the best value in premium collagen out there.
Grass-fed, pasture-raised, non-GMO collagen protein that costs less than leading brands? To a health-conscious, smart shopper like you, this sounds like a wise choice.
References:
1. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/how-safe-is-your-ground-beef.htm
2. http://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/different-forage-affects-beef-cattle-weight-taste/
