Bone Broth or Collagen Supplements – Which Will Give You Better Skin Rejuvenation Results?

Bone broth has long been regarded as a nutritional elixir, celebrated for its potential to support various aspects of health, from gut function to joint mobility.

Its preparation involves simmering bones and connective tissues from various animals for many hours. This process extracts valuable nutrients like collagen, amino acids, minerals, and bone marrow.

Since bone broth is high in collagen, it seems logical to conclude that it would bring the same skin rejuvenation results as collagen supplements.

Would it be a valid conclusion though? How high is the collagen content of bone broths?

If you drink bone broth every day, will you see skin rejuvenation results comparable with those shown in studies done with collagen supplements such as Collagen Elixir?

Let’s try to answer these questions.

First, let’s find out if the folklore surrounding bone broth is the only source of information we can rely on, or maybe there are also some research studies that looked into the effects of bone broth?

Challenges that come up in bone broth studies

A quick look at available studies shows that scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of bone broth consumption, in terms of skin rejuvenation, is much harder to produce compared to the evidence supporting the benefits of collagen supplements.

Studies have shown that the concentration of collagen in bone broth can vary significantly depending on cooking time, temperature, and the type of bones and other tissues used.

This variability makes it challenging to accurately quantify the amount of collagen consumed by study participants.

This also makes it very hard to design a study that can make general statements about bone broth because every bone broth has a unique nutritional profile.

Testing multiple bone broth preparations

One group of researchers from Australia found a way to make general conclusions about collagen content in bone broth by measuring collagen precursors (specific amino acids) in multiple different preparations.

Both commercial products and lab-prepared bone broths were tested.

The results of this study were presented in this article: “Bone Broth Unlikely to Provide Reliable Concentrations of Collagen Precursors Compared With Supplemental Sources of Collagen Used in Collagen Research“. It was published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

As it was expected, the researchers found a large variability in the amino acid content of different bone broths.

They also found that key amino acids essential for collagen synthesis, such as glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, were significantly lower (about 10 times lower!) in all bone broth preparations compared to a reference collagen supplement.

These results mean that, while bone broth can help bring up your collagen consumption, it can’t be considered a consistent and reliable source of collagen. It also can’t deliver the concentrations of collagen precursors comparable with collagen supplements.

It’s not just about the collagen content

Collagen supplements often contain additional ingredients that complement their rejuvenating effects and may support collagen synthesis.

For example, the Collagen Elixir formula is enhanced by added vitamin C, zinc, and biotin, and contains skin-supporting botanicals, such as aloe vera, acerola berries, goji berries, and chamomile extracts. These ingredient work synergistically with collagen peptides to promote overall skin health and vitality.

While bone broths also contain additional beneficial components that are likely to support some aspects of overall wellness, these components are not necessarily affecting the skin.

Another advantage of collagen supplements is their convenience and portability.

Unlike bone broth, which requires hours of simmering and preparation, collagen supplements offer a quick and hassle-free way to boost collagen intake on the go. This makes it easier for people with busy lifestyles to prioritize their health and wellness without sacrificing time or convenience.

So what’s the verdict?

Bone broth definitely can be counted as one of your natural sources of collagen and may provide additional wellness benefits.

If you are looking for a consistent and reliable source of collagen with proven skin rejuvenation effects though, a high-quality collagen supplement is a better choice.

So go ahead, sip on that bone broth if you love it, but don’t forget to add a collagen supplement magic to your routine for that extra glow. Look for a product that comes from a reputable company and provides 5 or more grams of hydrolyzed collagen per dose.

If you are planning to incorporate bone broth in your diet, keep in mind that the same study mentioned earlier, found out that commercial bone broths were lower in all amino acids than the self-prepared varieties.

How to Make Bone Broth

In case you want to make your own broth, here is a simple recipe.

  • Fill a large pot with 1 gallon of water.
  • Add 2-4 pounds of animal bones and, optionally, connective tissue.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 12-24 hours.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

Beef, chicken, and pork based bone broths are the most common types. But you can create bone broth from virtually any animal’s bones and connective tissue. Some examples include turkey, veal, lamb, bison, buffalo, deer, and fish. You can also use a mix of bones from different animals.

Add flavor to your bone broth with ingredients like onion, celery, carrot, parsley, thyme, and garlic. Add these before you boil the broth.

The longer you simmer broth, the more flavor it will take on from the bones and tissue. You can also prepare bone broth in a pressure cooker or slow cooker.

Use your bone broth as a base for soups, sauces, and gravy or drink it on its own.


Author: Elena Berman
Images: Elena Berman with DALL-E AI

Can We Restore What Time Takes Away? What Science Tells Us About Reversing Age-related Collagen Loss

Collagen plummets as we age

Collagen builds the foundation of a smooth and radiant complexion. As we age, the network of collagen fibers in deep layers of skin becomes fragmented and weakened, resulting in wrinkles, fine lines, and thinner skin.

After a person reaches the age of 18 years, their skin collagen content decreases by about 1% per year. Who would think that aging starts so early!

By the age of 80, collagen production in the skin may have decreased by 75% when compared with collagen production in young adults.

This loss of collagen causes wrinkles and sagging skin.

Can collagen supplements reverse collagen loss?

Good news is that studies have shown that the age-related loss of collagen can be reversible!

Nutritional collagen has been around for a long time. There is a large body of evidence supporting its safe use and multiple benefits for both internal health and external appearance.

Today you no longer have to wonder if collagen supplements actually work. Instead, you can focus on selecting a high-quality product with an ingredient profile that fits your goals.

A better question to ask yourself is if YOUR collagen supplement can reverse collagen loss?”

It’s not enough to know that collagen supplements can reverse the signs of aging and restore collagen. While it it might has been proven for specific collagen products and doses that researchers used in their studies, it may not be true for a specific collagen product you use.

Collagen supplements vary greatly when it comes to:

  • type(s) of collagen included,
  • amount of collagen in one dose,
  • additional components that enhance the effects of the product,
  • quality, stability, and bioavailability of the ingredients.

That is why it’s important to look for studies that test a specific product that you consider using. It’s not always easy to find such studies.

Unlike many other collagen supplement currently on the market, Collagen Elixir has been tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The study was published in the Journal of Food Science and Nutrition.

Here is what Collagen Elixir achieved in four weeks

Researchers documented impressive changes in study participants’ skin, including increased collagen density, skin elasticity, moisture, and brightness at the end of the 4-week study. Other findings included reducing wrinkles and visible and UV spots.

Restoration of Collagen Levels

The study found that Collagen Elixir significantly increased facial collagen density in the participants after four weeks of daily consumption.

Improvements in Elasticity and Moisture

Daily consumption of Collagen Elixir resulted in a significant increase in both elasticity and moisture in facial skin among study participants.

Reductions in the Appearance of Wrinkles

After four weeks, 70% of participants experienced a measurable reduction in wrinkles.

Reductions in Hyperpigmentation, Including Visible and and UV Spots

Consuming Collagen Elixir led to a reduction in measures of hyperpigmentation, including a reduction in both visible and UV spots compared to the participant’s baseline measurements. Other benefits included improvements in skin tone, with a significant increase in skin brightness after four weeks of supplementation with Collagen Elixir.

Widespread skin health benefits

Overall, consuming Collagen Elixir resulted in widespread skin health benefits, with 100% of subjects having increased collagen levels, 90% with increased moisture, 97% with greater elasticity, and 70% of subjects exhibiting fewer wrinkles after four weeks of supplementation.

You can refer to the full text of the Collagen Elixir study for more details or click the “Get Started” button below to see what Collagen Elixir can do for your skin.

Do Men and Women Need Different Collagen Supplements?

When you consider starting your Collagen Elixir experience or are just browsing the supplement aisle, eyeing many different collagen products, it is likely that you have a few questions coming up. Such as, for example, “What is the best collagen supplement for women?” or “Do men and women need different collagen supplements?”

It’s a valid question. Many multivitamins, for example, are formulated differently for men and women. Should collagen supplements come with ‘his’ and ‘hers’ labels too? What if our bodies, with all their differences, have distinct collagen needs? Hormones, gender specifics in aging processes, and societal notions about beauty – does any of this paly a role in selecting the right collagen supplement?

To answer this question, let’s briefly remind ourselves about the main roles that collagen plays in the body.

Collagen is your body’s best friend with many benefits

Collagen, often hailed as the elixir of youth, plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of our bodies. It affects the body in multiple positive ways. Let’s go over the four main advantages of collagen, assessing whether gender-specific considerations should influence our choices in supplementation.

Since it seems that there are no studies that looked into gender specific differences in collagen supplementation results, we will have to base our conclusions on general understanding of physiology, good old common sense, results reported by Isagenix customers who used Collagen Elixir as their collagen supplement, and some photo evidence.

Skin Elasticity and Youthful Looks

Collagen is renowned for promoting skin elasticity and combating signs of aging. These effects of the collagen have been proven by multiple research studies.

Within the intricate matrix of our skin, collagen serves as a structural scaffold. It provides the foundation for a firm and supple complexion and supports the skin’s ability to stretch and bounce back.

As we age, the natural production of collagen begins to decline, leading to the emergence of fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of firmness. This is happening for both men and women but the timing of these changes is different. Men lose collagen at a constant rate throughout their adult lives. Women lose less collagen when they’re young, but when they hit menopause, they start losing collagen faster.

While the rates of collagen loss and the impact of hormonal changes on skin may differ, this does not seem to affect the ability of skin to recover its elasticity with collagen supplementation. Collagen Elixir before and after photos clearly show that skin rejuvenation effects look very similar for both genders – both men and women see positive changes, such as reduction in wrinkles, softening of the skin folds, brightening of the skin and achieving overall younger appearance.

Healthier Hair

Though we couldn’t find any conclusive research results that confirms collagen’s ability to improve hair health, we keep receiving before and after pictures that show noticeable hair health improvement for both genders after using Collagen Elixir for a few months.

Since Collagen Elixir contains a blend of botanical and some vitamins in addition to marine collagen, we can’t say for sure what produces this positive effect – the collagen itself or the combination of the collagen and all the supporting ingredients. It is clear though that it can help both men and women, especially in combination with the Isagenix Hair Revival formula.

Joint Health and Flexibility

Collagen provides essential support to joints, promoting flexibility and reducing stiffness. Several clinical trials that included both male and female subjects have demonstrated that hydrolyzed collagen improved symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Since researches did not see any reasons to separate men and women in clinical trials, we can conclude that both men and women can equally benefit from collagen supplementation for joint support.

Bone Density and Strength

Collagen contributes to bone density and strength by acting as a scaffold for cells and additional macromolecules.

Women, particularly during menopause, may face accelerated bone density loss. However, men are not exempt from age-related bone concerns. Collagen supplementation can benefit both genders in supporting skeletal health.

Studies that confirmed collagen’s ability to preserve and increase bone density have been done mostly on postmenopausal women because that is the main demographic of concern. It would be reasonable to conclude that, if collagen is able to help menopausal women who are at the highest risk of bone loss, men can expect at least the same positive effects on bone density.

Take a goal-centric approach

As we unwrap the diverse benefits of collagen, it becomes evident that many aspects of its influence are universal, benefiting both men and women alike.

While men and women may experience structural problems differently and have different rates of collagen loss or variations in hormonal influences, the basic structural components of the human body remain universal. Therefore, the core functions of collagen in providing strength and support are applicable to both genders.

Rather than focusing on gender-specific recommendations, a more meaningful approach to collagen supplementation involves identifying specific concerns and selecting the appropriate type of collagen.

For instance, those seeking to achieve more youthful appearance and enhance skin elasticity will benefit from Type I collagen, while those with joint-related issues may find relief with Type II collagen, known for its role in cartilage health.

Each mini-bottle of Collagen Elixir contains the effective clinical dose of the high quality type 1 collagen from ecologically conscious marine sources. It is a great choice for those – men and women – who are looking to ward off aging changes in the skin.

Collagen Elixir is used by both men and women with great results

Check out our collagen before and after picture collection to see great results achieved by both men and women who used Collagen Elixir.