In partnership with NativePath

Written by Liberty Road Team

In midlife, things with our bodies start to change. Bone density begins to decline. We might wake up feeling sore. Our strength and resilience aren't what they used to be. It can all be a tough reality to face. 

Chad Walding, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, has seen many clients wrestle with these changes. That's why he's on a mission to help us better understand why we might feel sore and stiff and what we can do about it. But even more, he wants us to know that feeling good— make that really good, agile, and physically capable—can be a part of our lives, regardless of our age. The key is caring for our bone and joint health with pure bioavailable collagen. "I honestly couldn't believe the effect that collagen can have," he says.

Still, Dr. Walding believes we may need some clarification when it comes to caring for our bones, joints, and other structural components in our bodies because there are significant misconceptions floating around. Plus, not all collagen is created equal. "Don't just run to the store and grab the first jar of collagen in sight," he says.

To better understand our body’s scaffolding, and to explore how drinking collagen can help us get back to feeling good, Dr. Walding gives us an enlightening lesson. Plus, he offers his guide for choosing the best collagen for our needs.

The Gateway to Healthier Bones

Our bodies naturally produce collagen—a protein found in skin, connective tissues, tendons, and bones that gives our body support and structure. This essential protein keeps things agile and strong. It’s one of the body’s most abundant building blocks, but when we reach 30, our collagen production begins to decline by 1 to 2 percent a year, says Dr. Walding. "By the time we hit 60, most of us will produce about half the collagen we did in our youth."

The easy fix would be to eat more collagen-rich foods. But this protein is mainly abundant in animal cartilage, tendons, skin, and bones—foods we don't find in most Western diets. "In our part of the world, nobody eats those parts of the animal," says Walding. Our dwindling collagen leaves us more susceptible to bone fractures, soreness, and other ailments. "Most people over 55 are one fall away from a drastic reduction in their quality of life," he adds.

Collagen supplements can help us replace what we stop producing. "The studies speak for themselves," says Walding. One team of researchers looked at the impact of collagen on 103 postmenopausal women, with more than half of the women taking 5 grams of collagen for a year and the rest taking a placebo. The women who took the collagen had an increase in their bone mineral density. "Since bone mineral density drops by about 1-2 percent per year after menopause, that means these women got back 4 to 5 years of bone density in only 12 months," says Walding.

The Calcium Myth

Any conversation about our bone health warrants a mention of calcium for understandable reasons. The reigning story around bone health has long been linked to this mineral—but we've only been getting part of the story. 

Our bones are complex, says Walding. It's true that calcium is an essential mineral for bone strength and density, but for calcium to do its job, it needs a structure to stick to. That structure is the organic living part of our bones, which is made of 90 percent collagen protein. "Without enough collagen, calcium has nowhere to go," says Walding, "and in some cases, it can build up in blood vessels, causing arterial calcification and kidney stones." Some medical experts have even warned about the overconsumption of calcium.

Walding points to two studies from the 1970s as the source of "the calcium myth," as he calls it. "In both studies, postmenopausal women were given calcium supplements for a few weeks. At the end of the studies, the women were tested and found to have more calcium in their blood—but they didn't even look at bone density," he says. "The studies were too short and narrow to really give us any information, but we spent the next 40-plus years blindly believing this calcium myth."

Collagen: the Skin, Hair, and Bones Superstar

The word collagen comes from the Greek word for glue. This is apt, believes Walding, because collagen "truly holds your body together." The abundant protein gives strength to our hair, skin, joints, and more, which is why taking collagen can lead to a myriad of benefits, from feeling great to shinier hair and strong nails.

Walding says the research on collagen's impact on hair, skin, and more is "astounding." One study found improved skin hydration and a significant reduction in the depth of wrinkles in participants who took collagen. Another found an increase in nail growth with fewer breaks. These findings prove that collagen is not only a protein that makes us feel good; it also makes us look good.

Choosing the Right Collagen: The Non-Negotiables

Since it's unlikely we'll start reaching for foods rich in bones and cartilage, choosing a collagen supplement is the key to honoring our bone health and feeling (and looking) fantastic. But to fully get the most out of a collagen supplement, Walding gives us a deeper lesson on this protein.

There are 28 different types of collagen in our body. Ninety percent of the collagen found in us is called Type 1—this is the collagen found in our skin, bones, and blood vessels. The other crucial collagen is Type III, which makes up our muscles and digestive system. So, to maximize the health benefits of collagen, Walding says we should look for Types I and III. Bovine collagen—a naturally occurring protein from cows—is an excellent source of Type I and III collagen. 

Walding advises us to look for collagen derived from cows that are grass-fed and humanely pasture-raised. This indicates "a collagen supplement that's clean, healthy, and highest quality." Today's shelves are stocked with collagen products, all touting better skin and healthier joints, but not all do that. Walding says to look for a Type I and Type III collagen blend that is:

• Made of hydrolyzed bovine collagen, which means water is used to separate the collagen proteins

• Comes from grass-fed cows

• Unflavored and free of coloring or other additives and fillers

• Dissolves easily in coffee, water, or other beverages

To ensure he got all the collagen nutrients he and his clients needed, he created NativePath Collagen, a collection of pure collagen peptides made of bovine collagen. 

Consistency Is Key

Walding's recommendation to find easily dissolvable collagen makes sense. Too many on the market congeal or leave large lumps floating in coffee or water. That's unappetizing and gets in the way of the most critical factor in how we take our collagen: consistency. Collagen only works if you take it daily, says Walding. "Taking a scoop here and there isn't going to cut it." We must take the proper amount—two scoops—every day. 

That's why we love to add NativePath Collagen Peptides to our morning coffee or smoothie. The powder dissolves quickly, has zero taste, and adds a dose of therapeutic nutrition to help restore deficit collagen levels, thwart soreness, and leave us feeling agile—and really good.

"From my experience," adds Walding, "the longer you use collagen, the greater and longer-lasting the results will be."

NativePath is offering the Liberty Road community a limited-time 45% OFF discount on their bestselling collagen peptides. Their collagen flies off the shelves, so we're stocking up! Be sure to get yours today to start adding it to your coffee, tea, smoothie, and more. Learn more here.

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