Collagen peptides are growing in popularity amongst smoothie-makers and nutrition advocates. It’s known to help hair, skin, and nails, as well as reduce joint pain. Like most supplements, there are a variety of manufacturers to choose from… so I wanted to help you decide.
This comparison took me considerably longer than other product reviews because I felt that it required a slightly different methodology. The effect of collagen peptides, as well as their comparisons, couldn’t be adequately assessed with sample doses over a short window of time. So I dedicated 6 months to the comparison of three notable collagen peptide brands.
I consumed one brand at a time, daily for six weeks. I then took 2 weeks off to see if I could notice anything in that brand’s absence. I also paid close to attention to changes in my hair, skin, nails, joints, and tendons during these on/off periods. Taste wise, none of the brands have flavor, so there’s no need to compare that aspect.
Here are the results after six months of testing:
Serving size: “About 2 rounded Tbsp” (12g)
Protein: 11g
I started with this since it appears to have been on the market the longest. With 90% protein, Great Lakes blended very well, quickly disappearing into my smoothie (thanks to VitaMix). I didn’t notice much for the first couple of weeks. No changes to skin, hair, or nails. Interestingly, I noticed a reduction in foot pain that had been bothering me all year each morning when I wake up. While using the supplement, the discomfort (which normally goes away on its own after a few minutes of walking/stretching), diminished from 6/10 to 2/10. Some days it wasn’t there at all. It took at least a month before I began noticing this regularly. During the two week break (not using the product), the daily morning discomfort creeped back up to 6/10 after about 10 days. At the time, I considered it a placebo effect.
Sports Research Collagen Peptides
Serving size: 1 scoop (11g)
Protein: 10g
The first thing I noted when opening this bottle was how much better the container is than Great Lakes (their design seemed a bit retro). Not that it matters, but it was more modern and updated. Easier to read and more eye-catching on a shelf. It dissolved very well, and didn’t alter the appearance or taste of my smoothies. That being said, I felt myself counting the days until I could either go back to Great Lakes, or try the next brand. It didn’t feel like anything was changing, and the litmus test (my morning foot pain), failed. Perhaps I got an expired bottle? I couldn’t find the protein bioavailability stat listed anywhere. Just spitballing here, but if it’s below 90%, that could be the factor that makes it less noticeable than the others.
Perfect Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides
Serving size: 1 scoop (11g)
Protein: 10g
This was far and away the fastest acting and most notable of the brands. It offers 97% protein, is tasteless, odorless, and dissolved perfectly. Within a few days of taking this, the pain at the bottom of my foot reduced to 1/10, or gone entirely. I can only speculate why the “Perfect” brand was so much more potent than the other two… It’s 100% pesticide and hormone free; made from Brazilian pasture raised cows, and has >90% bioavailability.
To be clear, I do not think this is a “cure” for foot pain. This just happened to be a regular pain/discomfort that I experience frequently enough to use as a measuring stick. I can say, however, that even after I finished the “Perfect” bottle, my morning foot pain was still, at worst, minimal.
Final Ranking
#1: Perfect (The brand I will continue to order)
#2: Great Lakes
#3: Sports Reseach
A Chiropractor's Opinion 
5 Comments
I use one scoop of Perfect Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides in my morning coffee with one TB Coconut oil and cinnamon every morning. It has a made a world of difference even on the worst days when I wake up in so much pain I don’t know if will be able to stand on my feet all day at work. My pain disappears and my energy level flows again. I am on my 4th bottle I can’t live without it.
Greetings Dr.Tanese,
I suffered from arthritis and tendonitous in my feet for years……especially involving the sheeth of tendons that run lengthwise across the bottom of my left foot. Additionally my Achilles tendons on both feet were quite painful for two years ro the point that I could barely walk. I tried every treatment mode, prescription, and anti-inflammatory known to man. I got very little improvement or relief. 18 months ago I could barely walk without extreme pain. I decided to take matters into my own hands and try some alternative treatment. I began using a high quality CBD topical (made br Apothecanna ), and experienced some immediate relief. At one point prior to Nevada approving Medical Marijuana, I actually made my own salve using a recipe I found online. This salve was like a miracle! After continued use for a week, I had no pain at all. I used my homemade salve on all my achy joints……not just my feet. And I was pain and stiffness free. Recently I ran out of my salve and I haven’t been inclined to whip up another batch. So I purchased a reputable high quality brand of CBD liquid (Trew Balance) from a local dispensary and I created my own salve……this time using a few drops of that CBD product with Coconut oil (a good transdermal). And, like a miracle, I am once again pain free. I am very concerned about the recent DEA reclassification of CBD as a schedule one drug and whether this will have an impact on the availability of CBD…..
which is currently legal in all 50 states and available online.
Anyway you mentioned pain in your feet that sounded like tendonitous. Thought you might like my imput. Perhaps you are already aware of the incredible anti-inflammatory cures with CBD.
Happy Holidays,
Kathleen Geraci
Thanks for sharing, Kathleen.
Hi, I tried Great Lakes Collagen but had to stop because it tasted like bad beef broth to me. I could only drink it in my coffee with a milk bad taste. Did you taste this bad flavor or was it just me? Although I did see a mild relief in my joint pain I had to stop. Unfortunately, I then ordered Sports Research and am seeing no difference. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Cindi
I ranked the “Perfect” brand number one overall. It’s tasteless. I recommend adding collagen peptides to smoothies and blending it well so that the flavor of the fruit/vegetables is most noticeable. Also consider adding a drop or two of liquid stevia.