Collagen FAQs:

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body.

Collagen comes from the Greek word 'kolla', meaning glue - and that is what collagen is, the glue that holds the structure of your whole body together, from your tendons, joints, skin, hair, nails, down to the cells that make up all your organs.

Our bodies make collagen when we are young, but natural production slows down as we age so we must consume it as food.

What food? See the next question to find out!

What are good food sources of collagen?

What foods contain plenty of collagen?

The tough, unappetising bits of animals that we no longer include in our modern diet - like tripe, fatty, gristly cheap cuts of meat, bones, skin, feet and all the bits and pieces your grandmother would have know what to do with.

Humans have known the benefits of boiling down parts of animals to make rich, gelatinous broths since the dawn of civilisation, and only now has modern life meant that we no longer have the time or inclination to prepare this nourishing superfood.

What are collagen peptides/hydrolyzed collagen?

Collagen peptides are made from gently extracting collagen from animals such as cows, chickens, fish etc.

The best collagen supplements begin with a whole-food product from an animal that has been raised in its natural environment. We then employ gentle heat to break down (hydrolyze) the long, tough collagen molecules into shorter, easily digested chains called peptides. Ref

Collagen peptides are an easily absorbed (highly bioavailable) form of collagen, a supplement that can provide a host of benefits from better sleep, a happier gut and glowing skin.

All of Skip's collagen blends use collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) for bio-availability and easy absorption into your body.

Why is Collagen a 'missing essential food'?

Humans for hundreds of thousands of years ate every last bit of an animal. It’s fair to say the evolutionary environment of the ancient meat-eating human was rich in collagen. And as much as the world has changed, our bodies simply haven't.

There is strong evidence showing:

  • Humans are meant to eat the meat and the bones, skin, and sinew;
  • We function best when we eat the amino acids in muscle meat and the amino acids in collagenous materials;
  • The more muscle meat we eat, the more collagen we require;
  • We live longer, healthier, and look and move better with plenty of collagen in our diets.

Even our grandparents utilized every last collagenous bit to make soups, stocks, and stews as standard practice. 

Quality meat is incredibly healthy, but eating only lean cuts devoid of collagen or other animal parts has been shown to be unhealthy:

  • Animal studies confirm that the more methionine (an amino acid contained in lean muscle meat) an animal eats, the shorter their lifespan — unless they balance it out with glycine from collagen (which is the single greatest source of glycine). Ref
  • Higher levels of glycine are linked to better health, and lower levels are linked to worse health across a broad range of conditions.
What are the main benefits of collagen?

Some of the benefits of taking collagen can include (but aren’t limited to):

  • More hydrated, smoother, plumper skin
  • Stronger and longer nails and hair
  • Improved Sleep
  • Accelerated Healing
  • Joint and Connective Tissue Health
  • Bone Health
  • Heart Health
  • Athletic performance
  • Balances meat consumption
  • Uses more of the whole animal, making meat more sustainable

Have any studies been down to prove all this? Read on to the next question to find out.

Have studies been done to prove the benefits of collagen?

Here are some studies which have been done showing the effects of collagen - references are cited in situ.

Studies showing beneficial effect of collagen on skin:

Your skin is made of collagen. To maintain its elasticity and stave off wrinkling, we must provide the foundational substrates of collagen.

  • 2.5 grams of collagen per day for 8 weeks reduced eye wrinkling by 20% and increased skin elastin (a skin protein that does exactly what it sounds like—provides elasticity) by 18%, an effect that persisted for one month following cessation of the supplement. Ref
  • 1 gram of a chicken sternum cartilage collagen extract per day reduced wrinkling by 13% and skin dryness by 76% while increasing collagen deposition by over 6%. Ref
  • 6 months of collagen supplementation even reduced the appearance of cellulite. Ref
  • This study shows that after 4 days we see a 40% increase in growth in skin cells.

Studies showing beneficial effect of collagen on joints:

Just like skin, your joints are made of collagen. Taking collagen can improve your joints — especially if there’s a problem or pain.

  • In athletes complaining about joint pain, taking collagen hydrolysate supplements reduced pain Ref
  • In osteoarthritis patients, a collagen supplement reduced pain scores and improved walking ability Ref

Studies showing beneficial effect of collagen on sleep:

  • It enhances production of serotonin, a necessary precursor for the sleep hormone melatonin. Ref
  • It drops body temperature when taken at night, which improves sleep quality. Ref
  • It improves subjective sleep quality; people feel like they get a better night’s sleep after taking 3 grams of glycine before bed.
  • More importantly, it improves objective sleep quality; people perform better the next day after taking 3 grams of glycine the night before. Ref

(These studies used isolated glycine, but Mark prefers collagen).

Studies showing beneficial effect of collagen on healing:

Most traumatic injuries involve damage to the connective tissue, skin, or fascia. 

Collagen supplementation speeds up healing time in ulcer patients and topical collagen can improve wound healing when added to dressings

Taking extra collagen can therefore speed up the healing time from any wound or trauma that requires the laying down of new collagen. Ref Ref

How much collagen should I take per day?

12 grams of collagen (about 2 of Skip’s scoops or sachets) — will give most of us the glycine we need. Some people will need a bit more, some a bit less, depending on age and how many of these amino acids are already present in your diet, so also consider your meat intake.

In studies, it seems the main complaint associated with taking too much collagen is having an upset stomach or other gastrointestinal issues. Ref

As always, whenever you’re taking a new supplement, it’s best to consult with a physician before incorporating it into your diet.

How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?

For cosmetic purposes, you might see the benefits of collagen in about 6-8 weeks. Ref

If you’re using collagen for other benefits, such as extra support for sleep, or accelerating healing from an injury, you might feel the effects of collagen (and glycine) working much sooner or even immediately.

Where does Skip Nutrition Co's collagen come from?

Our collagen products are all made and packed in the USA, from a combination of local and imported ingredients.

Our Bovine Collagen comes from New Zealand grass fed cows.

Our Marine Collagen comes from wild caught Pacific snapper.

Our Multi Collagen comes from grass fed cows, free range chickens and eggs, and wild caught pacific snapper.

Our free range chicken and eggs collagen come from USA.

Is collagen vegan/vegetarian?

Collagen is found only in animal or marine sources, so it cannot be vegetarian or vegan.

However, plant-based eaters likely need less dietary collagen than the average omnivore, due to the lack of methionine in the diet.

'Vegan collagen' supplements don't contain any actual collagen, but they do contain ingredients from plants which may help your own body produce more collagen!

Are collagen supplements safe?

Collagen supplements are widely known to be safe, but again, whenever you’re taking a new supplement, it’s best to consult with a physician before incorporating it into your diet. It’s also important to consider the quality of the product for the best results, as well. (Thankfully, Skip's collagen is from super premium sources).

All Skip Nutrition products undergo rigorous testing for quality and purity to guarantee the products we sell are certified and 100% safe for human consumption.

Every batch is tested for microbiology, stability, nutrition profile, toxins and heavy metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic.

Our products meet all required quality and safety standards set by the top regulatory agencies in each region.

Our collagen blends are manufactured in the USA in a FDA approved, GMP facility.

Is collagen suitable for kids?

Yes - you can add our Gut Heath Boost, Glow Boost Marine Collagen and Vitality Boost to kid's smoothies or juices to boost the nutrition content.

If your kids are age between 4 and 13, we recommend a half scoop serving per day. For 14 and up, a whole scoop is good.

We don't recommend you use any of our collagen blends on kids under 4.

What is the source of information on this page?

All of this information comes from a combination of Mark Sisson and Dr Cate Shanahan*, both of whom are well known for their research in human health.

Mark is the founder of Mark’s Daily Apple, godfather to the Primal food and lifestyle movement, and New York Times bestselling author. Mark has spent three decades researching and educating folks on why food is the key component to achieving and maintaining optimal wellness.

Dr Cate is a board-certified Family Physician with over 20 years of clinical experience and a NY Times bestselling author. Her expertise is fixing the underlying problems that cause metabolic damage and inflammation, leading to autoimmunity, weight gain, diabetes, cancer and accelerated aging processes.

* We are not affiliated with nor directly endorsed by Mark Sisson or Dr Cate Shanahan - we just love their pursuit of evidence based health.

Further Reading

Products/Orders:

Where are the products made / packed?

Our collagen products are all made and packed in the USA, from a combination of local and imported ingredients.

Our bovine collagen comes from New Zealand grass fed cows.

Our marine collagen comes from wild caught Pacific snapper.

Our free range chicken and eggs collagen come from USA.

How much collagen is in a bag?

Our bulk gusset bags hold 8.5oz / 240g.

Each bag contains a 6 gram scoop to give you 1 serving per scoop.

Our sachets contain 6 grams (1 serving), with 30 sachets per box .

What's the best way to store collagen?

Simply keep the product in the zip locked gusset bag it comes in, away from light (in a pantry or cupboard)

Where does your collagen come from?

Our marine collagen comes from wild caught pacific snapper.

Our multi collagen comes from grass fed cows, free range chickens and eggs, and wild caught pacific snapper.

Is your product tested for quality & Safety?

Yes - all Skip Nutrition products undergo rigorous testing for quality and purity to guarantee the products we sell are certified and 100% safe for human consumption.

Every batch is tested for microbiology, stability, nutrition profile, toxins and heavy metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic.

Our products meet all required quality and safety standards set by the top regulatory agencies in each region.

Are your products Gluten free?

Yes, all of our products are gluten free.

Are your collagen products Vegan?

No, collagen is found only in animal or marine sources, so it cannot be vegetarian or vegan.

However, plant-based eaters likely need less dietary collagen than the average omnivore, due to the lack of methionine in the diet.

What's the shelf life?

Our products have a shelf life of up to 3 years, but always check the Best Before date.

For best storage, keep it zip locked in the gusset bag provided, and store away from light.

Can you cook with it?

Yes, not only is collagen simply a type of food, it also has a high heat tolerance (572°F / 300°C) so it is perfect for cooking and baking.

Can I take when pregnant or breastfeeding

Always talk to a trusted healthcare practitioner before taking any supplement, including our collagen products.

Whilst many of our customers have been able to take our products throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, clinical testing has only been done on non-pregnant women.

Our formulations have been rigorously tested for quality and safety, however, we still advise speaking with your healthcare practitioner to check that our products are right for you and your individual needs.

Whats the correct dosage?

12 grams of collagen (about 2 of Skip’s scoops or sachets) — will give most of us the collagen we need each day. Some people will need a bit more, some a bit less, depending on age and your existing meat intake.

Do you provide the full ingredient list for each product?

Yes, this information is available to view on all product pages under the 'Ingredients' section (above the pricing).

could i have an allergic reaCTION?

Our Marine Collagen is a fish protein, so there is a possibility of causing allergic reactions for those with fish allergies.

Also all of our products are made in a facility that processes egg products.

Shipping & Returns:

Shipping costs

We apply a flat $7.95 shipping charge for all orders.

If your order exceeds $80 (after discounts have been applied), shipping is free.

When can I expect my order?

All USA-based orders are shipped directly from our US-based warehouse within 24-48 hours for your convenience and maximum efficiency.

Your product should arrive within 5 - 8 Business Days.

Unfortunately we do not currently offer international (non-USA) orders. We hope to have this in place soon.  

What are your shipping destinations?

Currently we only ship to USA.

We hope to offer international service soon.

What is your return policy?

We want you to be completely and perfectly satisfied, and that is why we offer a 30-day risk free guarantee from the date you ordered your product(s).

We 100% guarantee your satisfaction through either store credit or your money back - no questions asked (don't get us wrong, we will always want to know what went wrong, but only if you're willing to tell us).

Here's how it works:

  • Contact our customer service team via hello@skipnutrition.co, or use our contact form here. One of our customer service team will help you with the return address and RMA # (Return Merchandise Authorization number).
  • Please do not send back your product before you have received an authorization with your RMA #
  • Return the unused portion of your product. Please indicate your name and email you used to order your product, and your RMA #.
  • We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and any store credit or refund will be processed. It usually takes a week to process your package, and another 7 business days (excluding holidays and weekends) for your financial institution to refund to your credit card or bank account (debit card).


Please also note:

  • It is your responsibility to pay the return postage and we recommend you send it to us with tracking or delivery confirmation to expedite the process and avoid delays.
  • The charges (excluding shipping and handling fees) are fully refundable. We really want you to be satisfied, but we must adhere to these guidelines in order to be fair and consistent.
  • For Subscription orders, we offer our money back guarantee on your most recent auto Subscription order.
  • Last but not least, We reserve the right to refuse any refund/return if abuse is suspected. For instance, returns with empty product containers can only be accepted if adequate time has passed that would allow you to consume the product as directed. We want to be fair, but we can't refund a 6 months worth of empty product containers after 1 month. We want to be fair with you and hope you will be fair with us too.
  • If more than 15 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us at hello@skipnutrition.co.
How do I track my order?

As soon as your order ships, we'll send you an email with the shipping and tracking information.

Your estimated shipping time should be displayed in this email; also using the tracking number and links provided you can visit the carrier’s website and through them you’ll find options to receive live updates about your shipment.  

If you still have questions, or if you did not receive your tracking information, feel free to reach out to our friendly team at hello@skipnutrition.co and we will be happy to help you. 

I MADE A MISTAKE WHEN PLACING MY ORDER. CAN I CHANGE IT? 

We strive to process and ship your order as quickly as possible and once the order is processed, the items in the order cannot be changed. It may be possible to cancel your order before it ships out, however, once it has shipped, we are unable to intercept it or change any delivery details.  

If the shipping address is wrong, our team will make every effort to assist you if a correction is needed.  

Subscriptions:

How does Subscribe & Save work?

Our subscription service allows you to schedule your Skip Nutrition deliveries (so you never run out of your daily essential).

Plus, you’ll receive a product discount up to 15% in the process!

You can choose to get your products sent to you every 14, 30, 60 or 120 days. On the product page, click the *Subscribe & Save* option, then select your preferred delivery schedule.

How do I change or cancel my subscription?

If you want to make any changes to your subscription, you can do so on your customer portal whenever you’d like.

Not only can you swap your subscription order, but you can also update your next subscription date, the quantity of your order, delivery schedule, payment and shipping details.

You’re also free to cancel at any time via your customer portal.

Alternatively reach out to hello@skipnutrition.co anytime and we'll process the cancellation for you. 

Can I skip or hold my next subscription delivery?

Yes you can.

If you want to make any changes to your subscription, you can manage the date, frequency, product, payment method and shipping details in your customer portal. Alternatively, we can update this on your behalf, please email hello@skipnutrition.co.

About Skip Nutrition Co.:

Who are we?

Hey there! We are Matt and Su, long time family-business owners, parents of 2 crazy and beautiful kids. We know that modern life gets hectic and often self care is the first thing to go out of the window.

We have been right there with you, juggling work, social life, kids, aging parents, plus our own health and beauty concerns - It’s not easy!

We believe that collagen is one of the essential building blocks of good health and inner radiance.

We believe in eating whole foods wherever possible, but we know getting the nutrients we need from traditional sources takes lots of time to prepare and can be a hassle.

Who has a bone broth bubbling away each day?!

Our collagen blends help #skipthehassle of making collagen-rich foods from scratch, taking multiple supplements or having to swallow weird flavored drinks first thing in the morning!

Read more here

Sustainability

We are big believers in sustainable business practices wherever possible.

Skip Nutrition achieves this in various ways:

  • We have partnered with Ecologi to plant 2x trees for every order
  • Our collagen products are 100% made from grass fed / free range / wild caught sources - these are happy animals that live as close as possible to their traditional natural environment
  • Collagen is made from skin and join tissues that are considered by products in our modern society! We are proud to work with these essential, yet unappreciated ingredients!
  • We are working with our warehouse and supplier to innovate how we pack and ship our products to minimize carbon footprints and maximize recyclability

Read more here

Can't find what you're looking for?

Send us an email to tell us what's up and someone from our Customer Service team will get back to you as soon as possible. Be sure to include your order number (if you have one).

Please email us at hello@skipnutrition.co