STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Many nonorganic collagen supplements have been found to contain contaminants associated with factory farmed animals, but even organic products have their quality concerns, specifically those made from bovine (cow) hides
- Bovine hide-based collagen supplements are made from castoffs from the tannery (leather) industry that have undergone harsh chemical processing. Due to this, even organic collagen from hides may be of questionable quality in terms of their “organic” status
- An ideal way to supply your body with much-needed collagen is to make homemade broth by boiling down chicken feet or beef bones. The gelatin that forms on top as it cools is your richest source of collagen
- Collagen can help counteract dull, wrinkled, sagging skin and dry, brittle hair and nails, all of which are signs of aging that result from a loss of collagen
- Other benefits of collagen include improved sleep, stronger bones, reduced joint pain and stiffness, and improved muscle building, wound healing, connective tissue repair, gut health, digestion, blood pressure and glucose tolerance