I hear this question all the time: “What’s the difference between Collagen Bone Broth, Collagen Protein, and Paleo Protein?” That question is almost always followed by, “Is one better than the others?” and “Which is the best bone broth for me?”

These are excellent questions, and I’ve got the answers for you!

My Collagen Bone Broth, Collagen Protein, and Paleo Proteins are — yes, you guessed it! —all types of pure protein. Despite this similarity, they are very different products, each with its own health benefits and purpose. First, let’s discuss what is alike about them, and then I will explain how they differ.

Protein: It’s Practically Everywhere!

Proteins are long chains of amino acids, folded into three-dimensional molecules. Their shape determines their activity in nature, as well as their roles in your body. There are millions of types of protein in the world.

Within our bodies, the many different types of protein are responsible for synthesizing your DNA, hormones, and enzymes. Protien makes up your muscles, heart, eyes, stomach, and lungs. Your veins and arteries, your skin, fingernails, hair, and bones, and your intestines and stomach lining are also all formed from protein! In fact, it’s the building block of every single one of your cells.

The Difference Between Complete Protein and Collagen Protein

There are at least nine essential amino acids in a complete protein that you can only obtain from your diet. Your body cannot synthesize them on its own. 

The way we get them is by eating them. We most often think of foods derived from animals, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy when we think of dietary protein. These, like my Paleo Protein powders, are complete proteins. Most plant proteins such as legumes, nuts, and seeds, are incomplete.

Collagen protein is a completely different type of protein. It is not complete, because it does not have all nine essential amino acids. Instead, collagen protein is made of nonessential amino acids that many of us lack including glycine, proline, alanine, and hydroxyproline. 

Why is it Important to Supplement with a Complete Protein?

Protein is critical to sustaining human life. Your body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding all manner of structures and systems. You need the amino acids in complete proteins to help build and repair every single structure in your body. This requires a great deal of dietary protein every day to be done correctly and efficiently.

Furthermore, lean muscle is made entirely of complete protein. Lean muscle improves metabolism, helps burn body fat, and regulates body temperature. Your protein intake can determine how well your body gains muscle mass to keep you strong and healthy.

Eating protein is essential for creating lean muscle. Grass-fed, pasture-raised meats or wild-caught fish are excellent choices for complete proteins. However, since not everyone has access to these sources, a high-quality complete protein supplement can fill in the gaps and help deliver the essential amino acids your body needs.

Why is Collagen Protein so Important?

Collagen protein is the most important and abundant structural protein in your body. Your body can make collagen protein, but it is an intense process, and you need a lot of it! Think of collagen protein as the “glue” that holds your body together. 

Starting at about age 35, collagen protein production naturally begins to slow, which can have all sorts of negative effects on your body. By age 40, your collagen protein begins to deplete faster than your body can reproduce it.

By the time you’re 60, more than half of your body’s collagen has been depleted. In addition to aging, many other factors impact collagen protein levels. These include genetics, smoking, pollution, excessive sun exposure, and nutritional deficiencies, among others.

There are different types of collagen proteins (16 in fact!) that do different things in your body. That’s why I offer different collagen products. While your skin, hair, nails, gut barrier, bones, connective tissue, cartilage, and joints all depend on ample amounts of collagen protein, they rely on different types to stay healthy, strong, and flexible. 4

Surprising Top 7 Health Benefits of Collagen – Infographic – Amy Myers MD®Surprising Top 7 Health Benefits of Collagen - Infographic - Amy Myers MD® https://content.amymyersmd.com/article/difference-collagen-paleo-protein/Surprising Top 7 Health Benefits of Collagen – Infographic – Amy Myers MD®

What’s the Difference Between Type 1 and Type II Collagen Protein?

The majority of collagen in your body — as much as 90% — is Type I. This is the most common and strongest type of collagen. Like a superhero, it’s even stronger than steel (gram for gram!) You find this type in your skin, bones, organs, eyes, and inside your digestive tract. Although my Collagen Protein features more than one type of collagen, it is extremely rich in Type I.

Type II collagen protein is a key component of your joints. Hyaline, or articular, cartilage is primarily composed of Type II collagen protein. Hyaline cartilage is the most abundant type of cartilage in your body. This smooth, transparent material coats the ends of your bones. It reduces friction in the joints and helps them move fluidly. Type II is the primary collagen in my Bone Broth Collagen.

How to Choose a High-Quality Complete Protein

There are many different types of protein supplements on the market. Some of them are low quality, processed with solvents and harmful chemicals. Others include ingredients that can trigger an inflammatory response in your body.

Often the source of the protein in these powders is whey processed from milk using acidic solvents, such as hexane. Even in many Paleo proteins derived from animals, the protein often comes from conventionally raised animals that were given antibiotics, hormones, and GMO corn.

There are proteins geared toward those who follow plant-based diets. These are often made using genetically modified soybeans or inflammatory legumes that don’t offer the full range of benefits that you’re looking for in a pure protein supplement.

When you look for a high-quality complete Paleo protein supplement to fuel your body and promote well being, check the label to ensure the product is:

  • Sourced from grass-fed, GMO-, hormone-, and antibiotic-free animals
  • Without inflammatory ingredients including gluten, dairy, whey, corn, soy, grains, legumes, or hemp
  • Free of sugar or artificial sweeteners
  • A high level of purity without colors, additives, preservatives, dyes, processed foods, heavy metals or other toxic ingredients

When I was first looked for a protein powder that met all of my criteria, I couldn’t find anything I felt comfortable using. In fact, I actually gave up protein smoothies altogether for a number of years! My husband, Xavier, and I would come home from the gym and he would enjoy his whey protein shake. I would make a green smoothie without any beneficial, muscle-repairing protein.

Ingredients to Avoid In Your Protein Powder – Infographic – Amy Myers MD®Ingredients to Avoid In Your Protein Powder - Infographic - Amy Myers MD® https://content.amymyersmd.com/article/difference-collagen-paleo-protein/Ingredients to Avoid In Your Protein Powder – Infographic – Amy Myers MD®

What’s Special About My Paleo Proteins?

After years of keeping protein powder out of my meal plans, I decided to formulate my own pure Paleo protein. It would be free of inflammatory ingredients, free of any GMOs, sourced from clean protein, and approved for myself — and all of you.

The Myers Way® Paleo Protein is gluten-, dairy-, and sugar-free, and sourced from non-GMO, hormone- and antibiotic-free, grass-fed beef. And my Paleo protein tastes delicious! You also won’t find any other ‘no-no’s’ such as grains, soy, eggs, milk, corn, or legumes. It’s perfect for those following the autoimmune protocol, a high-protein Paleo diet, or avoiding inflammatory foods.  

My Unflavored Paleo Protein contains a full 26 grams of complete protein per serving. It’s so easy to add to your daily routine as shake or smoothie. In addition to the unflavored version. I also offer six delicious flavors of Paleo protein with 21 grams of protein per serving: Vanilla Bean, Double Chocolate, and Mocha Latte. No matter which flavor you purchase, you receive a FREE recipe eBook loaded with fantastic smoothie recipes.

How to Choose A High-Quality Collagen Protein 

With the rise in popularity of Paleo diets, collagen protein has also seen a spike in popularity. Collagen protein pills, collagen protein powders, and even collagen-fortified snacks and drinks now flood the market.

It’s fantastic to see that people are taking advantage of the gut-repairing benefits and the hair, skin, and nail support from collagen. The downside is that many of these products are actually very low in the amino acids which give collagen protein all of its health benefits.

Plus, many of these collagen protein products are anything but “natural.” They are highly processed, and may be denatured by high heat and other processing methods that destroy the delicate collagen peptides.

When looking for a collagen protein supplement, be sure to look for a product that is:

  • Sourced from grass-fed animals, free of GMOs, antibiotics, and hormones
  • Processed at low heat
  • Free of inflammatory ingredients including gluten, dairy, corn, soy, grains, legumes
  • Free of binders, fillers, and other unnecessary ingredients

Why Choose My Collagen Protein?

I enjoy collagen protein at least once a day, either in a morning smoothie or an evening cup of herbal tea. So I want to be absolutely certain it is clean, high-quality, and rich in the peptides that provide collagen’s amazing health benefits.

That’s why, as with my protein powder, I sourced and formulated my own collagen protein!

The Myers Way® Collagen Protein comes from grass-fed cows that are never given hormones or GMO feed. It is pure Type I and III collagen. These types of collagen proteins are the most abundant in the body and support your gut, intestinal barrier, skin, bones, hair, nails, and connective tissue.

It is a fantastic option for those concerned with leaky gut. That’s because it’s full of the amino acids and collagen peptides your gut uses to promote optimal tissue repair and a healthy gut lining. Supporting your gut is absolutely paramount in reversing autoimmunity, assisting in healthy thyroid function, and supporting your immune system.

How to Choose A High-Quality Bone Broth

There are a lot of different bone broth choices out there, yet it can be really difficult to find a clean, high-quality source. That’s why I made my own. I chose organic chickens as the source for my Bone Broth Collagen for one primary reason: Type II collagen. 

Type II collagen protein is far too rare in our modern diets. You find protein ONLY in connective tissue such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. We just don’t eat those.

Our ancestors knew well enough to make broth from the connective tissue. They took advantage of the rare and powerful amino acids that are essential for supporting healthy and flexible joints, especially as we age. I’ve found the simplest way to ensure I’m getting enough of this particular collagen protein is by sipping bone broth.

Of course, you can make your own bone broth at home, as I sometimes do. When you have the bones on hand, it’s a wonderful way to get more value for your money by increasing the amount of collagen protein you get from the meat or poultry you’ve purchased. However, it’s a very lengthy process. 

Why Choose My Bone Broth Collagen?

If you’re busy like I am, you just can’t do this all the time! Plus, unlike collagen protein powders that are intended to be flavorless, the savory goodness of a good bone broth is just as important as its collagen protein content. Yet sometimes, after all that work, the homemade version just doesn’t taste very good!

My chicken-soup-flavored Bone Broth Collagen is a nutritional powerhouse and fortunately, it’s also delicious. I formulated my certified organic Bone Broth Collagen to be a savory treat, just like a bowl of homemade chicken soup.

I produced my special, physician-formulated Bone Broth Collagen through an extraction process that ensures only the highest-quality collagen protein is included. It’s sourced from organic pasture-raised chickens and is also 100% non-GMO. I went through many flavor variations before crafting this one. I think it is simply the most delicious (and easiest to incorporate into your diet!) bone broth collagen available today. 

My bone broth is a perfect choice for anyone who:

  • Is concerned about leaky gut and wants to maintain a healthy intestinal lining
  • Wants to optimize thyroid and immune function
  • Is looking to support flexible joints and alleviate occasional joint pain from overuse or exercise
  • Wants to support healthy weight loss
  • Cares about strong and healthy hair, skin, and nails
  • Is over the age of 34

Who Should Choose Animal-Based Proteins?

I do want to add a quick note for all vegans and vegetarians. I was a vegetarian for over 20 years. However, I ultimately discovered that this played a big role in why I developed an autoimmune condition. In the years since I have done extensive research and made a huge shift in my own diet. 

I still advocate that everyone eats plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. However, now I recommend that everyone — especially those dealing with autoimmunity — add animal-based proteins such as my Paleo Protein, Bone Broth Collagen, and Collagen Protein to their diets to ensure optimal health.