February 19, 2020

Are Collagen Peptides Good for Keto?

Overview:

A lot of health and wellness trends have picked up over the last few months. Two of the biggest? Collagen supplements and the ketogenic diet. Just because they're trends doesn't mean they aren't real and beneficial. It just means they have gotten a lot more attention recently, and for good reason. People are starting to realize that their health is a priority, and supplements are helpful for a large variety of issues or general maintenance. Also, they're starting to realize that dieting doesn't have to mean starving yourself or only drinking green juice for days on end. It's the way you change your dynamic with eating and your relationship with healthy, clean foods. Sometimes all it takes is an extra supplement, or changing and eliminating certain foods, to give you the results you want or to elevate your overall health and wellness. A common type of collagen supplement is collagen peptides, which some people find easier to digest than other forms of it. Given that collagen's benefits are also in line with the goals of a keto diet, many people wonder if the two are compatible. Read on to find out if collagen peptides are keto friendly.

What are collagen peptides?

Collagen peptides are simply a more broken down version of regular collagen. It's necessary to learn some background info on what collagen is, and what the benefits of collagen are. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is formed through chains of amino acids (like glycine and proline, which are essential amino acids) that act as building blocks. Amino acids and collagen are absolutely essential for countless functions within the human body, especially those related to our connective tissues, skin health and skin elasticity, and gut health. Our body's collagen depletes and collagen production slows down once we enter our 20's. Collagen helps skin glow, improve joint pain, improve digestive health, strengthens hair and nails, and more. As previously mentioned, there are many types of collagen (like collagen peptides) which include collagen protein, collagen powder, hydrolyzed collagen, collagen pills, as well as a few other kinds. Taking collagen supplements could drastically improve your health- some people even say they have improved their energy levels and were successful with weight loss, which are just two more added health benefits. It's important to note that no matter what collagen type you choose, it is derived from animals. The varieties available include bovine, porcine, marine, and chicken, and the supplement is made from their skin and bones. Things to look for when choosing your collagen supplement include seeing if it is grass-fed or wild-caught, non-gmo, or organic. That way, you know you are getting a high-quality product that does not have added hormones or excess ingredients. Also, try and go for unflavored supplements. Ones that are chocolate or fruit flavored typically have sweeteners like stevia or sugar in them, which only hinder the positive effects of collagen.

What is the keto diet?

The ketogenic diet can be summarized by looking at your food intake in three ways: high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrates. By cutting out a majority of your carb intake, your body goes into a state of ketosis. In this state, it utilizes fat for energy rather than carbs. This can result in a leaner physique and more sustained energy. It's also great for people who are trying to improve their muscle mass, since it relies heavily on protein intake, as well.

Do Collagen peptides have carbs?

Collagen peptides do not contain carbs. If you buy the cleanest and purest supplements available, the only ingredients should be collagen, which is simply animal skin, connective tissues, and bones. Therefore, they do not contain carbs.

Will collagen kick you out of ketosis?

No! Collagen peptides are one of the best ways for people who are on the keto diet to increase their protein intake without having an effect on their diet. Protein makes up a decent portion of your diet when you are eating keto, but not as much as your fat intake. This means that in order for your body to best utilize the protein you eat, it needs to be quickly digested and bioavailable (absorbed easily). That's why collagen peptides are the perfect keto protein boost. If you take marine collagen, you will have even better results given it's the most bioavailable of all the animal sources for collagen. As we mentioned, peptides simply mean the collagen has been broken down into small particles that are much easier to digest. Therefore, collagen peptides are the perfect boost for your collagen and protein intake, and will allow you to remain in ketosis.

What supplements should I take while on keto?

The real answer is this: it completely depends on what your goals are and how certain things work with your body. While any collagen peptide supplement will suffice your collagen and protein needs, some people search specifically for keto collagen supplements. These typically contain MCT oil, which stands for medium-chain triglycerides. They are easily digestible fatty acids. Your body can use these fatty acids for energy, instead of storing them. Many people who are on the keto diet want to build muscle, which makes sense considering you are mostly eating fat and protein. A lot of protein supplements will support this goal, but for the reasons we discussed above, collagen peptides are your best bet for results while remaining in ketosis. You may also want to consider taking a vitamin c supplement (or increasing your vitamin c intake through food), because it's an essential vitamin for helping collagen be more effective, and therefore will help you with achieve more benefits from the collagen. Be careful if you decide to take regular whey protein powder; many times it's filled with unnecessary additives, flavorings, and sugar. Other than that, you really can take any supplement that works for your body and is helpful for achieving your goals. On the keto diet, you are allowed 20 grams of carbs per day. A good option for utilizing these carbs is through your collagen supplement. Our Kalumi BEAUTYfood bars have 18 grams of carbs. They give you 15 grams of protein and 12 grams of collagen- the perfect boost for your energy levels and keeping you full. They also include plenty of superfoods to give you clean, quality nutrients.