I don't get what's the supposed mechanism of action here. Collagen is a hard to digest protein and it has to get digested to be processed and then it's no longer collagen. Why not just eat any other protein source instead?

▲

chrisfosterelli 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Yes, that seems to sort of be the criticism and mixed results. Although not everyone has a complete protein diet so theoretically although it breaks down the idea is you then have all the things you need, should your body choose to use it to build collagen.

But I agree, I'd rather start solving deficiencies at the diet level than the supplement level and haven't integrated collagen personally so far.

TBH I suspect marketing plays a big role. "Collagen = good, therefore just buy it and eat it" makes logical sense if you don't actually do any research first.

▲

kelipso 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Different protein sources have different amino acid compositions and they have different effects on the body.

▲

IsTom 3 days ago | parent [-]

Still, if you eat enough complete protein sources you'll have all the amino acids you need.

▲

lII1lIlI11ll 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Likely yes, but I've had enough chicken breast for life during my fit 20s. I just don't feel like stuffing myself with tasteless sources of protein anymore and testy ones (burgers, steaks, grilled salmon, etc.) will cause unwanted side effects and risks when consumed in high amounts.

▲

strken 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Even bodybuilders and powerlifters admit that 2g protein per kg of body weight is about all you need. You can get that with a normal diet and a couple of protein shakes, which taste fine if you use milk and half a banana. You don't need to eat a whole chicken breast for every meal.

I made spaghetti bolognese last night and it had 60 grams of protein per 800 kcal serve. Admittedly I used lean kangaroo mince, because I'm Australian and it was on sale. Still: three meals like that and you wouldn't even need a protein shake.

▲

gilbetron 2 days ago | parent [-]

> lean kangaroo mince

I first read "mice" which was startling, then realized it was "mince" and then realized it was kangaroo! How would you describe the flavor?

	▲	TsiCClawOfLight a day ago \| parent [-]
		Gamy, a bit like deer.

▲

fcpk 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

I have yet to see anything against regular eating of fish and fatty fish other than the "scare" of heavy metals, which only applies for wild fish.

▲

kelipso 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Maybe, maybe not. It would depend on a variety of factors including the activities you do, your age, etc. Maybe athletes need more collagen compared to people who don’t exercise, etc, etc.

Also complete protein sources are definitely not easy to get. Good luck if you have dietary constraints.

▲

loeg 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Notably, whey is a complete protein source and very easy to get, while collagen is a crappy source.

	▲	BobaFloutist 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		I just wish whey was as easy to get unflavored. Let me handle the flavoring, you provide the protein. Yes, I'm aware you can buy unflavored whey protein, but it's more expensive and you have to order it online. I can get a huge tub of "Delicious quadruple chocolate delight" BS from Costco for comparative pennies.

▲

btylke 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Quinoa is a complete protein, containing all amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own, and is gluten free.

▲

kelipso 2 days ago | parent [-]

You need to eat a ton of quinoa. Only the most dedicated vegan bodybuilder will eat that much quinoa. No thanks.

Also, only animal sources contain hydroxyproline amino acid in significant amounts, which you pretty much only get from collagen sources.

So while quinoa and other like even whey might advertise themselves as complete protein sources, no, they do not contain all the amino acids humans can use in significant amounts.

▲

aziaziazi 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

Hydroxyproline isn't essential though, humans can produce their need from collagen, which they also produce as well as most other animals.

> You need to eat a ton of quinoa

Most don't: at 4.4% protein, a 65kg man like me needs 1.5kg of cooked quinoa per day and it's not a big deal:

- You'll digest it like a king: quinoa is full of soluble and insoluble fibers and you won't feel puffy for eating too much. Easy in, easy out.

- Like milk or wheat, there's many transformations possible like flour, flakes, marinades, beverages, soups... alway a joy to cook and eat, no boredom with that grain.

Can't speak for the bodybuilders though but I'm sure most manage they nutrition. I think soy/pea is more popular.

By the way, very few eats only quinoa or any other single aliment. They also get amino acids from grains, pulses and seeds... even fruits like tomatoes but it's obviously negligible.

Quinoa is also fulled with minerals, vitamins and it's proteins have the same biological value (BV) as beef - or more depending on the source.

> its high-quality protein, complete set of amino-acids, and high content of minerals and vitamins. [0]

> exceptional balance between oil, protein and fat [1]

> Quinoa has a high biological value (73%), similar to that of beef (74%) [2]

0 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15528014.2022.2...

1 https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa...

2 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303845280_Quinoa_Ch...

	▲	kelipso 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		There are plenty of studies showing that collagen supplementation helps athletes. Which means there are cases where the body doesn’t produce enough collagen for itself. And as you age, your body produces less collagen. Reasons enough to supplement with collagen.

▲

loeg 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Vegan bodybuilders would just use pea/rice protein extracts, which are about as commercially available as whey (very).

▲

fc417fc802 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

> Also complete protein sources are definitely not easy to get.

... all of the essential amino acids? What is difficult about that?

▲

mcswell 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

I was going to say that too, thanks for beating me to it!