As a mom, we’re constantly being told what we do and don’t need for optimum wellness.
Try this, don’t use that.
Eat this, but avoid that.
When pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the fourth trimester are thrown into the mix, we’re met with even more dos and don’ts.
But if we could share with you just one thing we love during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, it’d be collagen.
We all have collagen, as it makes up nearly a third of the protein in our bodies.
In an amount that high, it makes sense that it’s responsible for a lot of things, like skin elasticity, hair, skin and nail health, bone strength, muscle strength, and more. It even helps the liver function more efficiently!
However, things like pregnancy, breastfeeding, and even aging can cause our collagen levels to dip.
This is when we may start to notice things like less elasticity in the skin, joint pain, or brittle hair and nails.
Because collagen has so many responsibilities, it makes sense that we would want to make sure our bodies maintain a full supply.
That’s no different during motherhood.
In fact, being in a pre- or post- pregnancy period is even more reason to make sure your body has the collagen it needs.
Why Moms Need REAL Collagen
The Importance of Collagen While Pregnant
Collagen is an important nutrient for mamas during all stages.
During pregnancy, the body is working overtime to grow your little one.
It’s using everything, from your water intake and your blood to the foods you eat and the nutrients and minerals they contain.
We recommend using collagen during this period for more reasons than one.
First, your body is dealing with big hormonal changes.
Collagen can help level these out.
Second, you may begin to notice joint pain as your body continues working to grow your baby.
Joint pain can be caused by a number of things like dehydration, mineral depletion, or less collagen production.
Taking a collagen supplement helps cartilage creation, and cartilage is responsible for cushioning your joints.
The result? You guessed it - less joint pain!
Stretch marks and digestion issues are two more parts of pregnancy that many mamas experience.
A collagen supplement promotes the creation of new skin cells, which can in turn promote less stretch marks and help reduce those that you have.
In addition, collagen works hand in hand with your gut, helping to seal or strengthen the lining.
This makes for a smoother digestion process, and the amino acids present in collagen also help you digest things a bit easier.
The Importance of Collagen While Breastfeeding
Collagen is equally as beneficial during the breastfeeding period as it is during pregnancy.
Your body uses a lot of nutrients and energy to make milk, and a collagen supplement can help to replace some of what is used.
An increase in collagen intake does not mean you’ll be giving your baby more collagen.
Instead, an uptake in collagen can help your body in all ways, treating stretch marks, improving bone and muscle health, and helping grow stronger hair and nails.
Collagen can also supply energy to your muscles, helping to counteract some of that familiar exhaustion that frequent pumping or breastfeeding causes.
The Importance of Collagen For Postpartum Women
During the fourth trimester or postpartum period, collagen can help your body recover and get back to a pre-pregnancy state.
It helps restore bone and muscle health, strengthens your hair, skin, and nails, and even gives you a pep in your step with the help of some energizing benefits.
And because collagen aids in joint pain, it can also help you get back to your favorite fitness routines with ease (and less pain).
The Difference Between Vegan Collagen and Real Collagen
Now that we know why collagen is important, there comes a question: Which is better - animal derived or "vegan collagen"?
The answer comes down to the benefits you’re hoping to receive. In some cases vegan collagen may be suitable, but in many cases, animal collagen is likely best.
The only true source of collagen comes from animals, and you will usually find it in marine or bovine varieties.
These have been made from breaking down animal sources into what are called collagen peptides.
Peptides refer to collagen that has been broken down into an easy-to-digest form.
Vegan collagen, on the other hand, isn’t actual collagen. Instead, it is made up of the nutrients and minerals your body needs to produce collagen (like certain vitamins, amino acids, etc.).
But for many mamas whose bodies are either growing a baby, feeding a child, or recovering from pregnancy and birth, these vegan options don’t quite do the trick.
Instead, a real source of bioavailable animal collagen allows the body to experience the benefits as described above.
Best Collagen Supplement for Moms
A good collagen powder does not only contain high quality collagen but it's paired with the right nutrients to help our bodies really absorb ir. .
Of course, we love our Replenishing Powder. We know exactly how it’s made and what it’s capable of, because we made it!
Our Replenishing Powder is a collagen protein powder filled with a number of multivitamins that mamas need.
It was created specifically to help with energy, skin, hormone balance, and overall wellness.
And added bonus is that it tastes yummy!
Start your day with some powder in your coffee, make a fruit smoothie, or head over to our blog to see how we love incorporating Replenishing Powder into this delicious Chia Pudding recipe.
