Tendons and ligaments are predominantly collagen, around 65 to 80 percent of their dry weight. Unlike muscle, they have a poor blood supply and remodel slowly. If you have a history of overuse injuries, niggles in your Achilles or recurring tendon soreness, the limiting factor is often the rate at which your body can maintain and repair that connective tissue. Hydrolysed collagen peptides supply the glycine, proline and hydroxyproline that tendons and ligaments are built from.
Tendons and ligaments are mostly collagen, and their repair rate is limited by amino acid supply and blood flow. Daily collagen supplementation increases the substrate available for connective tissue maintenance. It is preventative support for active people, not a treatment for an existing tear or rupture.
Tendons connect muscle to bone; ligaments connect bone to bone. Both are dense, fibrous structures made primarily of type I collagen. They carry enormous mechanical loads but have limited blood supply compared to muscle, which is why they heal slowly when injured.
Collagen turnover in tendons is driven by mechanical loading and amino acid availability. The glycine, proline and hydroxyproline in hydrolysed collagen peptides provide the specific building blocks tendon fibroblasts use to synthesise new collagen fibres. Human evidence for collagen and tendon outcomes is limited and mixed, and is weaker than the evidence for joint pain and function (Khatri et al., 2021). A diet high in muscle meat but low in connective tissue, bone broth or organ meats leaves a gap in exactly these amino acids.
The grass fed collagen protein powder. Chief sources hydrolysed bovine collagen from Australian grass fed cattle, with a molecular weight under 1 kDa for absorption. The unflavoured version adds nothing but collagen peptides and is the simplest option for daily use. Flavoured options use monk fruit, not sugar alcohols.
One serve daily, ideally with consistency rather than around a particular meal. Some practitioners suggest taking collagen 30 to 60 minutes before exercise with a small amount of vitamin C to support collagen synthesis, though the evidence for precise timing is still developing. The non-negotiable is daily intake over weeks and months.
Not suited if you have an acute tendon or ligament injury such as a tear or rupture. Seek medical assessment first. Collagen is preventative maintenance, not a treatment for structural damage. It is animal sourced and not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
100 per cent Australian grown, hydrolysed and packed grass-fed bovine collagen. 15g of pure Type I and III collagen per serve. No fillers, no sweeteners.
AU$52.95
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Creamy vanilla grass-fed Australian bovine collagen with buttermilk, sweetened with monk fruit. 15g per serve, contains dairy.
AU$52.95
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Grass-fed Australian bovine collagen in a rich dark chocolate, sweetened with monk fruit. 15g per serve, zero sugar.
AU$52.95
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