Collagen In A Can
Here is my new favorite thing. Collagen Hydrolysate (Green Can) from Great Lakes Gelatin.
I have known about the collagen benefits of bone broth for a long time. I have also been trying to make my own bone broth for a long time. I do make it but not often so I never have it when I need it and I certainly don’t have it on a regular basis. It was a bummer but I mostly just tried not to think about it.
Red Can – Gelatin
A while ago I found some information about Great Lakes Gelatin (Red Can). I was very excited, I could get the gelatin/collagen that I needed “on demand” just by adding it to my food and drinks. The reviews said that it dissolved, even in cold water. I had read that you could just take a teaspoon, up to a tablespoon in your mouth and then wash it down with water. That did NOT go well. I had to peel it off the roof of my mouth, really gross. I decided I would try it in water (I was determined), again, did not go well, big gelatinous clump in my drink. Blah. I figured it wasn’t a total loss, I could mix it into smoothies. I actually haven’t tried that yet. I did just read a recipe for sweet & sour gummies, you know, like sour patch kids. You make them with the Great Lakes Gelatin (Red Can). I’m going to try that today. I’ll let you know how that goes. Gummy candy that is health promoting! My son won’t know what hit him, hee hee.
Green Can – Collagen Hydrolysate
O.k., so on to my NEW FAVORITE STUFF. Green can, Great Lakes Gelatin, Collagen Hydrolysate. This stuff does dissolve. Evidently, the fact that it has been hydrolyzed (broken down into its component amino acids) makes it easy to dissolve.
Here’s what the company has to say about Collagen Hydrolysate:
Hydrolyzed Collagen is unique in its amino acid structure because of its high amounts of glycine, lysine and proline, which are found in lower amounts in other protein food supplements. These particular amino acids are found to generate cell growth much quicker because the natural ability to produce supporting amounts of connective tissue diminishes after the age of 25. Hydrolyzed Collagen is more easily digested because of its low molecular weight and is absorbed within 30 minutes. All of the amino acids collectively are beneficial to cell reproduction, but it is the distinctive spectrum of this product that impacts the metabolic pathways to healthy tissue.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is beneficial in replacing the synovial fluids between the joints and secondly, to repair and build cartilage weakened by overuse through impact and stress. Our bodies are made up of 30% collagen of which 70% of these proteins are connective tissue made of collagen.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is the missing link in supplying amino acids like glycine, proline and lysine that are required by the body to build connective tissue to regulate cell growth. It will benefit hair, skin tissue, muscle, cartilage, ligaments and blood cell growth. Some doctors are referring to this product as the new anti-aging product of the century.
Sounds pretty good dontcha’ think?
Benefits
Here’s what they say about the benefits of taking Collagen Hydrolysate:
“Proteins are a primary element of life’s sustenance. The body contains millions of amino acids and peptides which are smaller than proteins. These are essential to the body which regulate functions of the cells. Glycine content of collagen assists the liver in handling foreign substances for individuals exposed by habit or occupation to toxic substances like chemicals, pollutants, alcohol or tobacco. Feeling of alertness, improved concentration, balanced mood, improved energy and increased sense of well-being have been reported by many users.”
Skin Improvement?
All good stuff. I would like to add that I really wanted to take this stuff in hopes of helping my skin. My skin is fine but I am getting older and I am noticing that the skin on my legs is getting a big “crepey” (tmi?). I’m hoping to see some “skin tissue” benefits. We’ll see, it took a long time to wear my skin out so I suspect it will take a while to notice any improvement. Also, I think I’m asking a lot. Fingers are crossed.
Aches & Pains
Here’s the good stuff and the reason I decided to write this post even though it’s too soon to notice any skin transformation. Aches and pains. I decided to go back and re-read reviews of this product to see if anyone mentioned anything about skin. No one did. They did mention that their finger nails were growing like crazy. That’s good I guess. What everyone was talking about was the fact that their aches and pains were gone. Even arthritis pain, diminished or in some cases actually gone. This is when I stopped thinking about my skin and started thinking about aches and pains. The big joint on the ring finger of my left hand has been bothering me for about 2 years. So badly that I have stopped wearing my wedding rings. It hurt to bend, it hurt to the touch. It’s was just weird, it’s the only joint that bothered me but believe me it was enough. You may have noticed that I wrote that last sentence past-tense. It’s gone! Nothing. No pain. I don’t know if the collagen did this, all I know is, it’s gone. I’ll continue to monitor this, but hopefully I’ll forget to monitor because I just won’t think about it. That would be so great!
Add It To Tea
The other win-win here is that I have started to drink green tea. I don’t typically like hot beverages but after the nasty fiasco with the “red can” not dissolving I decided I’d give the “green can” a little help and at least use hot water. Turns out I really like green tea. I have a caffeinated lemon, ginger green tea in the morning (I could do without the caffeine so I’m on the look out for some lemon/ginger decaf) and then a decaffeinated green tea at night. I have only had the green tea at night once, that was last night. I haven’t been sleeping well. Last night I had the best nights sleep. Again, not sure it was the hot tea/collagen potion but I’m sure going to try it again tonight.’
Quality
Oh, one more thing, the products from Great Lakes Gelatin are gluten free, no MSG, kosher certified, and from grass-fed cows.
Recipe Idea
If you are interested in the Sweet & Sour Gummy recipe you can find it here at the Balanced Bites website. If you make them before I do let me know what you think.
By the way, I bought the Collagen Hydrolysate from Amazon. Here is the link. I don’t get any kick-backs from the link, I just thought you might want it. You can also buy the product(s) at the Great Lakes Gelatin website.
Oh, I also want to be clear, the Red Can is a great product. The problems I had were completely due to “operator error”. I’m looking forward to using the red can for what it was intended – jello! There are lots of recipes for all kinds of things on the Great Lakes website.
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Eat Well, Feel Good, Have Fun!
I’m Amy a board certified holistic nutritionist, certified functional nutritionist and lifestyle practitioner and certified Life Coach. I help women in midlife understand the changing needs of their body so that they can stop dieting and lose weight permanently. At 56 I live what I teach. Don’t believe the story that your best years are behind you. They are not. Your best years are just starting!