Colostrum vs. Collagen: Quick Summary
Colostrum and collagen are two powerful supplements with different benefits.
Colostrum is the first form of milk produced by mammals. It supports immune health, gut health, and recovery.
Collagen is a structural protein that supports skin, hair, joints, and connective tissues.
Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.
Yes, you can take them together for even greater overall support.
When it comes to health supplements, there are so many options that it can feel overwhelming. Two that often get compared are bovine colostrum and collagen.
At first glance, they may seem similar. Both come with exciting health benefits and are popular in the wellness world. But when you look closer, you'll see that they work very differently inside your body.
Here, I'll break down colostrum vs collagen and their unique benefits. I'll also touch on who they're best for, and whether or not you should take them together.
In This Article:
• Colostrum vs Collagen: Source and Composition Differences
• Health Benefits of Colostrum
• Health Benefits of Collagen
• Colostrum vs Collagen: Who Should Take Each?
• Can They Be Taken Together?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Colostrum vs Collagen
• Which Should You Take?
Colostrum vs Collagen: Source and Composition Differences
Before we get into the benefits, let's look at where they come from:
Colostrum
Colostrum is the first form of milk that mammals produce after giving birth. It's designed to help newborns develop a strong immune system and digestive health.
It's loaded with antibodies, growth factors, and a whole lot more (1). I honestly believe it's one of the best health supplements out there today.
Most supplements use bovine colostrum (from cows). This is because it's rich in immune-boosting nutrients that humans can also benefit from. It's also pretty similar to what comes in the colostrum we drink as babies.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It makes up about 30% of all protein in your tissues (2).
It's found in skin, joints, tendons, bones, connective tissues, and more.
Collagen supplements are typically made from:
• Bovine (cow)
• Marine (fish)
• Chicken
• Eggshell membrane sources
Many times, they are already broken down so your body can absorb them more easily.
In Short: Colostrum can help support immune and gut health. Collagen can help support healthy hair, skin, nails, joints, and connective tissues.
Health Benefits of Colostrum
Colostrum isn't just for newborns. Surprisingly, adults can benefit too! Research shows that bovine colostrum can support several key areas of health:
Immune System Support
Colostrum contains antibodies that help your body defend against harmful pathogens (1). These antibodies are called immunoglobulins, and they're quite powerful.
Gut Health & Digestion
The growth factors in colostrum can help maintain a strong gut lining (3). This can support nutrient absorption, digestion, and overall gut function.
Recovery & Performance
Athletes often use colostrum because it can help support recovery and performance (4). When you're a competitive athlete, you take any advantage you can get!
Overall Wellness
Colostrum may help promote long-term health and resilience. When you take care of your immune system and gut health, many aspects of health can improve!
Health Benefits of Collagen
Collagen works differently. Remember, it's the main protein found in connective tissues. Supplementing with it can help restore what your body naturally loses with age.
Skin Health
Collagen can help maintain elasticity, hydration, and smoothness in skin. Studies show collagen peptides may even help reduce wrinkles (5).
Joint & Bone Support
Collagen provides structure for cartilage and joints. Adding it in can help reduce joint stiffness and support mobility (6). It may also help strengthen bones (7).
Hair & Nail Growth
Collagen supplements can support keratin production. So, adding it in could help lead to stronger nails and healthier hair (8, 9).
Colostrum vs Collagen: Who Should Take Each?
So, who should take colostrum vs collagen? The collagen vs colostrum decision really comes down to your specific health goals.
Colostrum is Best For:
• People who want to support immune health
• Those dealing with gut health challenges
• Athletes looking for better recovery
• Anyone wanting to improve overall resilience and wellness
Collagen is Best For:
• People focused on skin health and anti-aging
• Those with joint stiffness or mobility issues
• Individuals wanting stronger, healthier hair and nails
| Supplement | Source | Main Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colostrum | First milk from cows | Immune support, gut health, recovery | Athletes, gut health, and immune support |
| Collagen | Connective tissue (bovine, marine, chicken, eggshell) | Skin elasticity, joint support, hair & nails | Anti-aging, joint health, beauty support |
Can They Be Taken Together?
Yes! In fact, colostrum vs collagen isn't really a choice you have to make. They can complement each other really well.
Colostrum can help support immune and gut health.
Collagen can help support healthy hair, skin, nails, joints, and connective tissues.
When taken together, they cover a wide range of benefits from the inside out. There's also no evidence showing they interfere with each other. So, stacking them may actually provide more well-rounded support for your overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colostrum vs Collagen
Q: What Is the Main Difference between Colostrum and Collagen?
Colostrum is a nutrient-rich first milk that supports the immune system and gut health. Collagen is a structural protein that supports skin, joints, and connective tissues. Both can support our health in different ways, and they work well together.
Q: Which Is Better: Colostrum or Collagen?
Neither is "better" in the collagen vs colostrum debate. Which one is best for you depends on your goals. Choose colostrum if your goals are tied to immune and gut health. Go for collagen if skin, joint, and anti-aging support are more important to you.
Q: Can I Take Colostrum and Collagen Together?
Yes, they can be safely taken together and target different areas of health. So using both may give you a broader range of benefits when considering colostrum vs collagen supplementation.
Q: Does Colostrum Have Collagen in It?
No. Collagen and colostrum are two completely different things. Colostrum is a milk-based supplement, while collagen comes from animal connective tissues.
Q: How Long Does It Take to See Results from Colostrum or Collagen?
Results vary by person. Some people notice improvements in digestion or recovery with colostrum within weeks. Collagen may take weeks to months to show major changes in skin, hair, and joints. What makes the difference is using them consistently. If you take them only on occasion, it may take a while to notice a difference.
Which One Should I Take: Colostrum or Collagen?
When it comes to colostrum vs collagen, it's not about picking one over the other. It's about choosing what fits your goals best because they don't benefit the same things.
Go with colostrum if you want stronger immune support, gut health, and recovery.
Go with collagen if your focus is on skin, hair, joints, and anti-aging.
...and if you want the best of both worlds, you can safely take them together for full-body support. I do, and over time, they can make a noticeable difference in how you feel!
At 1st Phorm, we offer both Collagen and Colostrum, both of which I use personally.
For colostrum, we offer a 100% Grass-Fed Bovine Colostrum. It also has an exceptionally high 40% immunoglobulin content!
For collagen, we offer Collagen with Dermaval, which has 5 diverse types of collagen. Dermaval takes the formula a step further by aiming to support healthy skin and aging. If you're someone who prefers natural sweeteners, we also offer Collagen Natural with Dermaval.
But no matter what you go with, just make sure you're not just leaning on supplements for support. Your lifestyle habits, like your diet, water intake, exercise, and sleep patterns, matter a lot, too.
Supplements are there to help, but there are no magic pills. To look and feel your best, you still have to put in the work.
Now, I know we covered a lot today. So if you have any questions or need any help, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We have a full team of NASM Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches right here in St. Louis, Missouri.
Just give us a call at 1-800-409-9732 or send us an email at CustomerService@1stPhorm.com. We're available Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 8 PM Central and Saturday & Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM Central.
We'll be more than happy to help in any way we can!
References:
(1) Arslan A, et al. Bovine Colostrum and Its Potential for Human Health and Nutrition. Front Nutr. 2021;8:651721.
(2) Shoulders MD, Raines RT. Collagen structure and stability. Annu Rev Biochem. 2009;78:929-58.
(3) Chandwe K, Kelly P. Colostrum Therapy for Human Gastrointestinal Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1956.
(4) Yalçıntaş YM, et al. Exploring the impact of colostrum supplementation on athletes: a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials and diverse properties. Front Immunol. 2024;15:1395437.
(5) de Miranda RB, et al. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021;60(12):1449-1461.
(6) Martínez-Puig D, et al. Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023;15(6):1332.
(7) König D, et al. Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2018;10(1):97.
(8) Hexsel D, et al. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):520-526.
(9) Hwang SB, et al. Hair-Growth-Promoting Effects of the Fish Collagen Peptide in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and C57BL/6 Mice Modulating Wnt/β-Catenin and BMP Signaling Pathways. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(19):11904.
