If you missed Elizabeth’s article on why collagen is important, be sure to read it HERE before continuing. 

In my professional opinion, collagen supplements are one of the most popular supplements among athletes, active adults and really anyone looking to support healthy joints, tendons, ligaments, skin and connective tissue. However, one important detail is often overlooked when using collagen as a supplement: collagen works best when paired with vitamin C.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and serves as a major structural component of connective tissues. While collagen supplements provide the amino acids needed to build and repair these tissues, vitamin C plays a critical role in the actual production and stabilization of collagen fibers.

Vitamin C acts as a necessary cofactor for enzymes involved in collagen synthesis. Without adequate vitamin C, the body cannot efficiently form the strong cross-links that give collagen its strength and integrity. In other words, vitamin C helps "assemble" the collagen-building blocks into functional connective tissue.

For athletes, this relationship is particularly important. Tendons, ligaments, cartilage and other connective tissues are constantly adapting to training stress. Research suggests that consuming collagen along with vitamin C before exercise may help support collagen synthesis and connective tissue remodeling, potentially enhancing recovery and tissue resilience over time.

If you are interested in using collagen + vitamin C more effectively, consume 10 - 15 grams of collagen along with 50 - 100 milligrams of vitamin C about 30 - 60 minutes before training, rehabilitation exercises or other activities that load tendons and ligaments. Vitamin C can come from whole-food sources such as oranges, kiwi, strawberries, bell peppers, citrus juice or a supplement.

The bottom line: collagen provides the raw materials, but vitamin C helps the body turn those materials into strong, functional connective tissue. Pairing the two together may help maximize the potential benefits of collagen supplementation for joint health, injury recovery, and long-term athletic performance.

 

Our team of Sports Dietitians at eNRG Performance provides customized supplement protocols in our 6-week Optimal Performance Nutrition Program. Reach out to any member of our team to sign up!

 

 

 

PS - If you are experiencing weight gain, increased body fat, brain fog, chronic stress, sugar cravings and/or poor sleep, it is very likely that you have some type of hormonal misfiring. In fact, optimizing hormones is the center of all health and nutrition transformations.

Our newly updated Virtual FatBurn Blueprint Program will help you optimize your hormones through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle customization plans to help you FEEL, LOOK and PERFORM better in life. If you are serious about your health, longevity and fitness, check out the Virtual FatBurn Blueprint Program HERE.