Collagen Peptides vs BCAA

Are you, like so many, trying to combat the effects of a sedentary routine after switching to a work-from-home job? Have you found a routine that works for you, but find yourself losing energy and momentum way too soon? Or maybe you’re doing just fine in your workout routine, but you’d like a little help building muscle mass and recovering from exercise more quickly. Whatever your motivation, you’ve likely heard about the benefits of collagen supplementation.

Collagen is a protein that the human body naturally creates. In fact, it’s the most prevalent protein in our bodies, and can be found in:

• Bone
• Connective tissues
• Muscles
• Skin
• Tendons

Collagen helps fortify each of these parts of the body, aiding in biological maintenance and reducing degeneration rates throughout. However, our body’s natural collagen production begins to decline as we age, starting at around 30 years old. In addition to age, other factors like smoking habits, sugar consumption, and exposure to ultraviolet rays can contribute to declines in biological collagen production.

Thankfully, there are numerous options for collagen supplementation that can cater to your specific lifestyle and needs. Whether you’re looking for a single supplement to add to your routine or you’re on the hunt for the perfect combination to help you reach your goals, your physician can help you find exactly what will work best for you.

What’s the Difference Between Collagen and Amino Acids?

Asking about the difference between collagen and amino acids is like asking about the difference between an omelet and eggs: one is made with the other. A total of 20 amino acids combine into helix form to make a single collagen molecule, with glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline being the three most predominant amino acids in a helix.

Hydroxyproline peptides are the amino acid primarily responsible for collagen protein synthesis, as they stimulate the production of cells in the bones, joints, and skin. Naturally, this makes collagen peptides higher in hydroxyproline very popular to those seeking out a form of collagen supplementation specifically catering to these parts of the body, whereas amino acids are generally more targeted toward muscle recovery alone.

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Which is Better: Collagen or Amino Acids?

Although one is a component of the other, it’s possible to get either collagen supplements or amino acid supplements, and there are pros and cons to both. For the most part, supplements focusing on amino acids (more specifically, the essential amino acids that our bodies can’t create without dietary assistance) are a less expensive option and will still aid your body in building collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen supplements, however, are significantly more effective in rebuilding your body’s collagen supply because they already have the correct concentrations of amino acids needed for collagen synthesis.

Collagen supplements will be beneficial to:

• Skin health – May slow the aging process, reducing wrinkles, reinforcing the strength and elasticity of your skin.
• Joint strength – Collagen is what makes up our cartilage, which is the tissue that helps the bones in our joints move smoothly against one another without damaging surrounding tissues.
• Eye health – Provides and protects the structure of our eyes, helping prevent cataracts and AMD (age-related macular degeneration).
• Hair and nail health – Prevents each from becoming brittle and aids in their growth.

In other words, if what you’re looking for is a supplement that will aid in protein synthesis for your muscles, skin, bones, joints, and more, collagen is going to be preferable over amino acids alone.

Are Collagen Peptides the Same as BCAA?

To answer this question, we first need to break down what BCAA means. BCAA stands for “branched-chain amino acids,” which are a group of three out of the nine essential amino acids that the human body can’t create on its own (without the help of nutrients ingested through our diets). These three amino acids are leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and they aid in:

• Stimulating muscle growth
• Reducing muscle soreness during and after workouts, and
• Fighting off fatigue while exercising.

Thanks to these benefits, BCAA supplements are very common recommendations for athletes or people who engage in regular strenuous exercise.

However, collagen peptides are not the same as BCAA. As mentioned in the above section, BCAA are a crucial component of collagen, but are not the completed form that best assists our body with synthesizing new proteins. You may find products that combine both options into one supplement, separate products for BCAA and collagen that complement each other, or options that are best taken by themselves. To determine which might be best suited to your routine and future goals, be sure to discuss each of these with your primary care physician.

Can You Take Collagen and BCAA Together?

In a word: Yes! Plenty of people utilize both collagen powder and BCAA supplements to maximize the benefits of their workout routines. You’ve undoubtedly heard about and seen all kinds of protein powders meant to help boost workouts, and mixing collagen or whey proteins with BCAA is a valid way to help yourself build muscle, improve energy throughout your workout, and minimize exhaustion during and after your exercise routine.

That being said, taking a collagen supplement by itself is more than enough to achieve all three of these benefits on its own, so it will really depend on your individual circumstances and the level of workout you’re hoping to achieve.

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Getting Started

Please note that it’s best to speak with your physician before adding any supplements to your workout routine. Discuss your current circumstances with your doctor and let them know what your goals are so they can best guide you toward the best kind of workout supplement for you. While BCAA and collagen supplements are generally safe and typically don’t cause side effects in most people, it is always recommended that you follow a physician’s instructions in terms of which ones to take and the amount that will work best for you.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.