WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLLAGEN AND WHEY PROTEIN AND WHICH IS BETTER?
If you've been debating between collagen and whey protein on the supplement shelves, you might be wondering which is the best option for you.
Whey protein has unquestionably been the "gold standard" choice for muscle building. However, as the protein powder market grows, collagen protein is quickly becoming the "cool kid" in town. It's appearing in smoothies, coffee, gummies, and supplements all over the place.
What's the big deal about? And should you take it in addition to your current protein, or should you replace your current protein powder with collagen? This article examines current research comparing whey protein to collagen protein and makes consumption recommendations.
WHY SHOULD I USE A PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT?
To begin, why would you think about taking a protein supplement? There are numerous reasons for this, and while focusing on food first is always a good idea, there are times when a protein supplement can be beneficial.
Protein supplementation after exercise appears to have a synergistic effect on muscle recovery and growth. Protein consumption within the first two hours after exercise can improve recovery, reduce injury risk, and promote muscle hypertrophy.
According to current research, 20-25g of easily digestible, leucine-rich protein should be consumed after resistance training. Because whey protein is high in the amino acid leucine, it is frequently recommended during this recovery period.
Similarly, protein can help promote muscle repair and recovery after endurance training. Following endurance exercise, it is critical to consume primarily carbohydrates with a moderate amount of protein.
Protein powder can be an easy and quick way for athletes to meet post-workout needs. Furthermore, many people experience a loss of appetite after working out, so adding protein to smoothies can help meet recommendations when hunger cues are not an accurate representation of the body's needs.
WHAT EXACTLY IS WHEY PROTEIN?
Whey protein, derived from milk, contains 20 amino acids (the building blocks of protein). This includes all nine essential amino acids (also known as EAAs, which our bodies cannot produce), as well as the three branched amino acids.
Whey is frequently referred to as a 'fast' protein because it is digested and absorbed more quickly than other protein sources.
It's also high in leucine, a key amino acid in the synthesis of muscle protein.
Muscle protein synthesis is the body's ability to repair muscle tissue, allowing it to grow larger and stronger.
Why is whey often regarded as the "gold standard" of protein sources? It is considered a complete protein source, as well as a high quality and rapidly digestible one, because it contains all of the essential amino acids. The Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS), a protein quality measurement, ranks whey protein as "Excellent or High Protein Quality." It has the highest Protein Digestibility Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of 1.
the highest possible PDCAAS score for a protein
Furthermore, the majority of sports nutrition research is based on whey protein, demonstrating its positive effects on muscle growth and recovery.
For example, research supports the use of whey as a supplement for athletes' muscle protein synthesis. Athletes who consumed whey protein post-exercise versus a caloric equivalent amount of carbohydrates showed improved markers of recovery and protein synthesis in a study by West et al.
A study published in the Journal of American Nutrition discovered that whey protein had the greatest increase in muscle protein synthesis in the three hours following resistance training when compared to both soy protein and the same caloric amount of carbohydrate.
Whey is a very practical option for athletes, in addition to its proven effectiveness. It is reasonably priced, has a neutral flavor, and dissolves well in most fluids. However, because it is derived from milk products, it is not suitable for vegan athletes.
WHAT EXACTLY IS COLLAGEN PROTEIN?
Collagen is a fibrous protein that our bodies synthesize to build structure everywhere in the body, including our tendons, ligaments, hair, skin, and nails.
Collagen is made up of 19 amino acids (protein building blocks), 8 of which are required. It is not considered a complete protein because it lacks tryptophan, the 9th essential amino acid. Proline, hydroxyproline, and glycine are the three primary amino acids that comprise collagen.
Your body does produce its own collagen, but it begins to decline sharply in your twenties.
In addition to natural production, collagen can be found in certain foods and supplements. Bone broth, animal meats, egg yolk, and foods containing gelatin are all good sources of collagen.
Collagen supplements are also widely available nowadays. They are typically derived from land animals, but there is also a marine collagen source available (since this is derived from fish, though, note that it is not appropriate for vegan athletes). According to Healthline, some vegan collagen products are available that are made with genetically modified yeast and bacteria.
Because most collagen supplements are hydrolyzed (that is, partially broken down), they are usually easier for the body to absorb than natural food sources. Collagen peptides are a degraded form of collagen that is highly bioavailable, dissolves well in cold water, and is easily digestible.
Collagen supplementation in athletes has shown potentially promising results in terms of joint health and injury prevention (though this data is still in its early stages and is not widely accepted).
Collagen supplementation, for example, may help relieve joint pain in athletes. Clark et alstudy .'s on collagen supplementation in athletes found that after 24 weeks of daily supplementation, their subjects had significantly less knee joint pain.
Athletes may benefit from collagen supplementation as well. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism concluded that "consuming gelatin or hydrolyzed collagen may increase collagen synthesis and potentially decrease injury rate in athletes."
There is also some limited research on the ability of collagen to maintain and improve fat free muscle mass in elderly men suffering from sarcopenia. More research is needed to draw conclusions about collagen's ability (or inability) to increase muscle mass in healthy people.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WHEY AND COLLAGEN PROTEINS
Here's a quick rundown of the key differences and similarities between whey protein and collagen protein:
Whey protein is derived from milk, whereas collagen is derived from animal bone (there is a marine collagen source available which is usually derived from fish scales).
Whey protein is high in the branched chain amino acids required for muscle protein synthesis (valine, leucine, and isoleucine), whereas collagen is high in the amino acids required for structure (proline, hydroxyproline, and proline).
Whey protein contains all nine essential amino acids, whereas collagen protein lacks tryptophan and is thus incomplete. (It's worth noting that because tryptophan is fairly abundant in the average American diet, this isn't a huge detriment to daily collagen consumption.)
Both protein sources have a neutral flavor and dissolve easily in fluids.
Whey protein is slightly more expensive than collagen protein, but as collagen becomes more popular, more affordable options are likely to appear on the market.
Whey protein research best supports its use in muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth for athletes, while collagen protein research best supports its use in injury prevention and joint pain relief. More research is needed to investigate any synergistic effect of combining the two protein sources.
WHERE SHOULD YOU USE IT?
When it comes to collagen vs. whey, it's important to remember that these two types of proteins don't actually compete, but rather serve different functions in the body.
Whey protein can be used in the post-exercise period (ideally within two hours of exercise) to help with muscle repair and recovery. As a promising (though not yet proven) way to promote healthy joints, cartilage, and ligaments, collagen can be supplemented daily, ideally with a vitamin C source such as orange juice.
As you can see, both can potentially be used to supplement each other's diets in athletes.
Of course, before beginning any new supplements, consult with a licensed medical provider, who can provide individualized recommendations for the appropriate amounts of each.
Post a Comment